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Donate Your Old Bike

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Every year our Bike Kitchen helps thousands of people learn to fix their own bicycles. We’re able to accomplish this because we have all the parts, tools and knowledge that people need to get the job, whatever it is, done. We can teach people to build a bike from the ground up, to fix the junker they found at a garage sale, or to simply tune up their bicycle or fix a flat. We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone.

Bike Kitchen Hours ExpandOne of the ways the Bike Kitchen earns enough money to continue to provide these services is through the sale of gently used bikes. All of the bicycles we sell are bikes that have been generously donated, by people just like you. When a donated bike arrives we get to work, tuning it up with care so that it’s in the best possible shape when it gets back on the road (or trail).

Who Donates Bikes?

All kinds of folks donate bicycles to us. Sometimes when someone buys a new bike they think of us and donate their old one. Every now and then we receive bikes from people who are getting on in years and are focusing on other interests. Many bikes come from people whose eyes are bigger than their storage (too many bikes, not enough space).

Regardless of who you are, we hope that you’re someone who will donate your old bicycle to the Bike Kitchen. We’re usually able to offer a wide variety of bikes for sale, but every now and then donations slow down and the number of bikes for sale dwindles. This is one of those times. Please consider a donation to the Bike Kitchen, and remember that your donation is tax deductible. Just ask us for a form and we’ll gladly provide one to make your write-off as easy as possible.

We accept most bikes, other than “department store” bikes like Next, Roadmaster, Magma, and modern Free Spirit bikes. These bicycles are often constructed with very low quality parts in non-standard sizes and are not designed to be serviceable.

Ready to donate? The Bike Kitchen is open from Noon – 5 PM, each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Have questions? Call us at 805-547-2055 during Bike Kitchen hours or email tyler@slobikelane.org.

Like Bikes?

Become a member of The Bike Coalition – it’s free to sign-up and we’ll keep you informed every month about bike events and issues in SLO County. Click this link to join: I Like Bikes!

Bike of the Week: Redline

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This week we’re featuring this sweet little Redline BMX-mobile. This is a fantastic bike whether you want to cruise around town in style or hit the park.

The top tube is 20″ and the wheels are 20″ with slightly knobby tires for getting RAD!

Ready to ride and available now in the Bike BOTW_BMX_600_LogoKitchen for only $100.

We’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5 PM and are located at 860 Pacific St in San Luis Obispo (corner of Morro and Pacific streets).

The Bike Kitchen is a program of The SLO County Bicycle Coalition. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge you need to fix your bicycle! We can help you build a bike from the ground up, fix that junker you found at a garage sale, or simply tune up your bicycle. We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. We have provided guided instruction to over 8,000 people since opening our doors in 2010.

Bike of The Week not your cup of tea? Still looking to buy a gently used, ready to ride bicycle? We sell all kinds of bicycles! Come in and see us!

Have a bike you’d like to donate? Your generous gifts help the Bike Kitchen thrive and give even more people the chance to experience SLO County by bike. Thank you!

 

Bike Valet

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Free Bike Parking!

Every Thursday evening we set up our free Bike Valet at the downtown Farmers Market in San Luis Obispo. From 6:00 – 8:45 PM the Bike Coalition is there, parking people’s bikes and watching over them until the end of Farmers Market.

If you’ve never seen our Bike Valet, take a look at this video:

We park a lot of bikes every Thursday night, but we’ve always got room for a few more. We’d love to see you bike down some Thursday and let us hang on to your bike as you explore the market and downtown shops.

Farmer Market in SLO isn’t the only place we park bikes. Our Bike Valet service can be hired for your event, wedding or workplace. It’s an easy way to promote healthy, sustainable transportation to your event and is helpful when vehicle parking is tight and congestion is a problem.You can learn more here: https://slobikelane.org/programs/valet/#tab-id-2

Bike of The Week: Escape

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This week’s Bike of The Week is the Escape 2 by Giant.

Built with an ALUXX aluminum frame and a wide range of easy-to-operate gearing, this Escape 2 is a fun, efficient way to get wherever you need to go. Its smooth-rolling 700c wheels and stable frame geometry make it fast and sporty enough for a GiantEscape600fitness routine, comfortable enough to commute or just cruise.

The flat and upright handlebars provide both comfort and visibility while the V-brakes provide powerful and safe stopping.

With 24 gears (3×8) to choose from, you’ll always have the gear you need. Great for someone 5’7″ – 5’9″, this Escape 2 also includes a kickstand, rear rack and front removable handlebar bag.

Available now in The Bike Kitchen for only $250.
We’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5 PM and are located at 860 Pacific St in San Luis Obispo (corner of Morro and Pacific streets).

The Bike Kitchen is a program of The SLO County Bicycle Coalition. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge you need to fix your bicycle! We can help you build a bike from the ground up, fix that junker you found at a garage sale, or simply tune up your bicycle. We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. We have provided guided instruction to over 8,000 people since opening our doors in 2010.

Bike of The Week not your cup of tea? Still looking to buy a gently used, ready to ride bicycle? We sell all kinds of bicycles! Come in and see us!

 

Wildflower Volunteers Needed

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San Luis Obispo Bike Club Makes A Difference

The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club was formed 44 years ago in 1971. Since that time they’ve actively promoted bicycle riding throughout SLO County. wildflowerwideThis year, they’ll contribute over $75,000 (including  $50,000 to the Bike Coalition!) to support local bike groups and activities, bicycle advocacy organizations and programs, and the communities in which the Bike Club rides and holds their events.

One of the ways the Bike Club is able to make such generous contributions to the bike community is from the proceeds of the two annual Century rides that they put on:  The Lighthouse Century and The Wildflower Century. Both of these rides take months and months of planning and countless volunteer hours.

You Can Help

The Bike Club is looking for a few more volunteers to help out with the Wildflower Century on April 25th, 2015. Aside from the great feeling you’ll get from volunteering, you’ll also get a free Wildflower Century shirt, an invitation to the Volunteer Brunch and an invitation to the Pre-Ride (you’ll get to ride the course before the actual ride.)

As of right now, these volunteer positions are still open:

Team
Number
Cleanup – Team
2
Food Ordering – Truck Loader Team
5
Stop: Highway 41 – Team Lifting
1
Stop: Shadow Run – Team Lifting
1
Stop: Shandon Lunch – Early Lifting
2
Stop: Shandon Lunch – Late Lifting
5
Stop: Shell Creek – Team Lifting
3

Ready to Volunteer?

The Bike Club’s Century Jobs web page ( https://slobc.org/volunteering/century.html ) is a one stop location to learn about Job Openings, Job Descriptions and the Volunteer Process. Choose a job from those identified as open in the “Wildflower Team Member Report” and then email the “Wildflower Volunteer Coordinator” at ( wildflower-volunteer-coordinator@slobc.org ) to volunteer for the position (please let them know The Bicycle Coalition sent you). The volunteer coordinator will contact you for any information needed to complete your volunteer record.

 

The 2015 Bike-In Movie is?

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Ready for the Bike-In Movie?

Rideshare’s Bike Month is approaching fast, and with it comes the 11th Annual Bike-In Movie on May 2nd at 7:45 PM in the Mission Plaza Amphitheater.

Last year we showed Frozen and it was a huge success. We loved seeing the huge number of individuals, families, kids and parents who turned out for a night of movie magic in Mission Plaza.

This year, as usual, we’ll have popcorn and hot cocoa available, and our free Bike Valet will be there to park bicycles so you can relax and enjoy the movie.

Every year the big question is….what film will we see? Today we’re ready to make the announcement that we’ll be showing Disney’s Big Hero 6. Have a look at the trailer below:

If you didn’t get the story from the trailer or you can’t watch the trailer, here’s the plot: When a criminal plot threatens the hi-tech metropolis of San Fransokyo, brilliant young robotics whiz Hiro Hamada leaps into action with his tech-savvy friends, and his robot companion Baymax in Disney Animation’s family friendly adaptation of the popular Marvel Comics series.

Mark your calendars for May 2nd and save the date. Of course we’ll post again as the date gets closer, but we’re so excited about this year’s Bike-In Movie that we have to share it now!

 

Bike of The Week

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This week’s Bike of The Week is the Raleigh Talus 2.o mountain bike. The small frame size makes this perfect for someone between 5′ and 5′ 3″.

Raleigh_Mountain_BOTWThe front shocks will keep your ride smooth. With 27 gears (3×9) you’ll always have the right gear no matter where you ride.

Available now in The Bike Kitchen for only $250.00

We’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 5 PM and are located at 860 Pacific St in San Luis Obispo (corner of Morro and Pacific streets). Come in and see us!

The Bike Kitchen is a program of The SLO County Bicycle Coalition. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge you need to fix your bicycle! We can help you build a bike from the ground up, fix that junker you found at a garage sale, or simply tune up your bicycle.

Looking to buy a gently used, ready to ride bicycle? We sell them! We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. We have provided guided instruction to over 8,000 people since opening our doors in 2010.

 

Women’s Road Skills Class

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Women’s Road Skills – For Women – Taught by Women

Sometimes women face different obstacles when choosing to ride a bicycle for fun or transportation – this workshop seeks to remove these barriers and help you feel confident on our roadways.

We’ll provide an introduction to the basic rules of the road, laws that apply to bicycles, 20120629-SLOBC-Downtown-Girl-S-1934981894-Otechniques to increase predictability and visibility, common misconceptions about bicycle riding and a review of local intersections and how to approach them. We’ll practice bicycle handling skills, then go on the road to ride, with an emphasis on predictability and visibility with all road users. Afterwards we’ll stop for a post-ride review and to listen to your reflections.

This class, originally scheduled for March 2015, has been postponed until May 16th. Due to the low response rate we’ve decided to wait until Bike Month and offer it then. Stay tuned for more info!