It is hard to imagine getting up for a huge working bee the day after the election on 9 October. Hopefully I will have a big hangover from celebrating the election of Mayor Len Brown, Councillor Mike Lee and the whole City Vision team. But global action has to happen on climate change with communities not waiting for elected representatives to take the lead in looking for solutions.
That’s why I’m part of the team organising the 350 Big Bike Fix Up for 10/10/10. We would love to fix up all the thousands of broken bikes in Auckland and get them on the road so that we can look forward to a future that is healthy, sustainable and fun.
It is going to be a huge day!
350 Big Bike Fix-up
Let’s get Auckland’s bikes out of storage, fixed up and on the road ready for a summer of cycling.
Between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 10th October get your bike going at Shed 1, 101 Halsey Street on Auckland’s stunning Viaduct Harbour.
Pro-mechanics, Tumeke Cycle Space (Auckland’s community run bike workshop) and a team of volunteers will be there to fix-up every kind of bike. Once your bike is fixed up, give it a polish at the clean-up station, deck it out (for the kids) and join a leisurely bike ride to Queen’s Wharf.
Unwanted bikes will be fixed up and donated to Refugee Services Auckland. Bring parts to swap too.
In fact doesn’t matter what state your wheels are in – just come down to the Shed to enjoy all day entertainment and a full programme of workshops in bike skills and cycling training.
Vege sausage sizzle and refreshments available at the venue in support of the Grey Lynn School cycle trail project.
Have you got bike fix-up skills to offer? (from basic to pro) please contact Alex at tumekecyclespace@gmail.com. The Tumeke Cycle Space team are coordinating the fix-up stations at the shed.
Big Bike Fix-Up Workshop programme
Biking from A to B in the city is easy and quick, not to mention fun. But you might have questions, like: what kind of bike should I ride? where should I ride on the road? what if I get a puncture? do I need a basket, pannier bag or backpack? The 350 Big Bike Fix Up day includes a series of workshops to give you some basic information and skills to make your biking comfortable, safe and trouble-free.
And if you can’t make a workshop, volunteers will be there throughout the day to answer your questions, and offer practical advice and help.
Riding tips and skills workshops (*times subject to change on the day)
10am Getting comfortable on your bike
11am Puncture! How to change a tyre (and avoid more flats)
12pm Keep on riding: basic bike maintenance
1pm Lil’ riders: cycling skills for kids and their parents
2pm Which bike is the right one for me?
3pm City slickers: skills and tips for urban riding
Take a city bike for a test ride!
Get a feel for riding a city bike with Nextbikes
Get your bike feeling right
Does your bike give you sore knees or wrists? Or irritate more tender parts?
One-on-one consultations throughout the day with bike-fit expert to make sure you’re comfortable on your bike (from 11am)
Would you like to help with a workshop or share your advice and skills? Please contact Susan Potter spotter@orcon.net.nz if you’d like to help for part or all of the day.
Big Bike Fix-up Bike Rides
Leisurely bike rides for fixed up (and decked out) bicycles departing 11am, 1pm and 3pm from Shed 1 to Queen’s Wharf return via the Viaduct cyclepath
Bike Fix -ups are also happening in Christchurch and Wellington details are here http://can.org.nz/big-bike-fix-up
Make a day of 10/10/10 by bike
Also at Shed 1 Get Growing Auckland – showing Aucklanders how easy and enjoyable urban gardening can be
Devonport – HANDS On sustainable living skills fair
Mt Eden – Community Garden Working Bee
Across New Zealand and around the globe, on 10/10/10 communities will be taking climate action. From bike fix-ups to community gardens, home insulation to tree planting ….By getting to work we’ll show our leaders the world is ready for climate solutions. Find out more about the Global Working Bee here