Fixathons

When bikes are brought to rodeos which don’t pass the Safety Check station, we try to do minor repairs while the participant uses a loaner bike for the course. If unsafe bikes are expected to be a common issue we can address these — and some more major repairs — with a separate service before the rodeo, in an intensive bike-repair session we call a “fixathon.”  We can also provide this as a stand-alone service; for instance, to facilitate and encourage cycling in neighborhoods without a bike shop.

We’ll work with a community partner group to identify a suitable location like a rec center or school gym, and bring a team of experienced mechanics and all the parts, tools and supplies needed to fix as many bikes as possible as fast as possible (hence the “fixathon” name!). 

Valet bike parking

 For years the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op has helped people use bikes to attend large public events like Burning River Fest or Parade the Circle by parking and watching their bikes in a secure, convenient location, and assisting with minor on-the-spot repairs as needed. We also rent semi-secure portable racks and streamlined this service so that it can be administered by event organizers’ staff or volunteers, or even offered as a self-park if demand is small but secure bike locking spots are scarce. This service helps organizers produce events that are more attractive to cyclists and safer for all, by providing an organized, designated area for bike parking. 

Pre-ride safety briefings

For bicycling events held on open roads, as most are, it is important for the safety of the riders — and the liability of the organizers — that participants understand their rights and responsibilities toward other cyclists and traffic, and take responsibility for the mechanical safety of their bikes. OCBC has extensive experience providing this information in a fun and engaging way. Safety talks should be scheduled early in the year, and require a PA system for greater than 50 riders, or enough time to schedule a series of smaller groups.