OCBC Code of Conduct/Safe Spaces Policy:

Code of Conduct

OCBC is a bustling, community space, with people from all walks of life volunteering, shopping, and working on their own bikes.  To ensure that everyone has a positive, worthwhile experience, we ask everyone to follow our most basic rules, or “The three Rs.”

Respect (treating others with decency)

Resourcefulness (not wasting anything, including time)

Reciprocity (getting out what you put in).

We try hard to make the most of all the resources we have by reducing waste and making volunteering at OCBC productive for the co-op and educational and rewarding for volunteers. Please put tools and materials where they belong, learn and follow our procedures, and ask first if you are unsure of anything you do.
When volunteering or using the shop for your own purposes, please work safely and carefully, use the proper tool for each job, wear appropriate clothes and safety gear, and do not hesitate to ask for more explanation if needed.

Shop credits, break-room food, and staff advice for personal shop use are reciprocal thank-you gestures for volunteers’ help: please donate money if you are able for technical staff assistance when using the shop. 

OCBC is not a secure space.  Safeguard your valuables as in any public place. Do not bring any illicit or banned materials into it.

We have many visitors, some of whom may be disabled, elderly, small children, or pets. Please be sure to work safely, and keep work areas clear and free of hazards.

Be proactive for your own workspace: ALWAYS use appropriate eye, ear, breathing, and body protections, and expect those working around you to respect your physical safety (“Would you use that power saw outside, please?”).

Do not wear open-toe shoes, sandals or flip flops; or loose fitting clothing or hairstyles that could become tangled in moving parts.

Log in to work on your own bike; do not work on your bike anywhere except in the shop. Make an appointment if you need assistance.

Respect the sobriety policy of this space.  We serve the entire community, and that includes people in various types and stages of recovery. If you are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any  intoxicants, you will be asked to leave. If this behavior persists, you will be asked to leave and not return.

Safe Spaces Policy

Everyone entering the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op is asked to be aware of their language and behavior, and if it might be harmful to others. We do not permit any physical or verbal violence; touching or propositioning people without their consent; expressions of intolerance of another’s race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs; or any other language or behavior that may be belittling, oppressive, or degrading.

Please follow these guidelines when volunteering, using the shop, or visiting the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op:

• Respect everyone’s physical and emotional boundaries. Listen and change your behavior if someone tells you that you are making them uncomfortable.  
• Refrain from using inappropriate language, or discussing topics that might be triggering (e.g. sexual abuse, sexual experiences, physical violence, or encounters with the police). Be responsible for your own actions. Be aware that your actions can have an effect on others which may not match your intentions.
• Respect everyone’s stated name and preferred pronouns.  Do not assume anyone’s gender identity, sexual preference, survivor status, economic status, background, health, etc.
• Respect people’s opinions, beliefs, experiences and differing points of view.
• Respect the sobriety policy of this space.  We serve the entire community, and that includes people in various types and stages of recovery. If you are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any  intoxicants, you will be asked to leave. If this behavior persists, you will be asked to leave and not return.

If you are in a difficult situation with someone at OCBC, as long as there is no danger of physical harm, please consider taking the time to de-escalate the situation, and then defer to staff for mediation or other action if needed.  If that is not possible, disengage immediately and do not delay speaking with a staff member.

If you experience or witness any behavior that you feel crosses these boundaries or makes you feel uncomfortable, please find a staff member or a key volunteer and let them know. We are here to ensure that EVERYONE can use this space without fear of physical and/or emotional danger. 

By entering the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, and/or participating in the activities of the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, you agree to abide by these guidelines.

For anyone identified by staff as not upholding this safe space policy, misusing the co-op’s resources, or failing to positively contribute to the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op while volunteering, here is how we will respond:

• As soon as we are aware of the situation we will tell them what was wrong, and the right thing to do, and make a confidential record of that conversation.
• If that person fails to follow these principles again we will do the same things but talk about it privately with another staff or Key Volunteer present, try to agree on a solution, and, together, document this second warning and proposed solution in writing.
• if it happens again we will then ask them to leave immediately and not return.

• Anyone who is violent, verbally abusive, purposefully offensive, or caught stealing will simply be asked to leave immediately and not return. 

This procedure has been adopted so that everyone may benefit from the co-op’s resources without hindering anyone else from doing so.