Spring events at Village Bicycle Cooperative

While this winter was miserable for biking, it allowed Village Bicycle Cooperative time to improve our organization's volunteer framework. We are 100 percent volunteer run and are looking for more people to help provide our services to those in need.

All Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. are dedicated to training volunteers! The Wednesday, April 16, session will focus on bike and helmet fitting, lubing and VBC's procedures for sales.

We recognize that volunteers will be coming in with a variety of skill levels, so we have a flexible training program to allow for that diversity. No minimum time, commitment, or experience required. To meet the needs of our volunteers and community's growing interest in bicycling we added another workbench and stand. Also we have developed a volunteer handbook that outlines the different levels of volunteering. Youth ages 14 and over are welcome to volunteer with permission from parents/guardians. 

Volunteering Opportunities:

Hands-on mechanical training provides opportunities for volunteers to gain confidence and knowledge about:

• Bicycle refurbishing
• Customer service
• Advocacy
• Recycling
• Outreach, events and recreational programming
• Create-your-own volunteer positions utilizing your experience and knowledge

VBC serves all of Northeast Ohio, and is located at 303 Cahoon Road, on the ground floor of the Bay Community House. Visit www.villagebicycle.org for more information about volunteering opportunities as well as details on upcoming events and open shop hours. Spring brings us many wonderful days but some of the best are spent on a leisure bike ride, as John F. Kennedy once said: “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.”

Also, keep in mind that the value of donated bicycles is tax deductible. Donations are accepted during open shop hours; see the VBC website for a schedule.