7. The Broken Spoke Bike Co-op
This article will take approximately 2 minutes to read
Published 18 Dec 2019 in Communities
It’s that time of the year and to celebrate all the great things we have done with our Regional Communities over the past year, read our 12 Days of Christmas! These range from different charities to school partnerships and highlights each day how important our donations, work and volunteering is to these partners.
For the seventh day of our countdown to Christmas, we are showcasing The Broken Spoke Bike Co-op who have been awarded a share of the Central Oxford Regional Community half-year carrier bag funds. Check out their video below!
Who are they?
The Broken Spoke is a not-for-profit social enterprise started by people who are really passionate about cycling and provide open workshop support, mechanics courses, cycle training, women’s and transgender people only mechanics sessions, and a hub of information for people who cycle (or really want to).
They partner with local community organisations, school groups and individuals with the goal of making people more proficient and confident in cycle maintenance and riding. The Broken Spoke was founded in June 2012.
They attended this year Members Half-year meeting in Oxford and participated in the discussion session, speaking on how Co-op’s can support each other.
Most recently, the group has been awarded a share of Central Oxford RC Half Year Carrier Bag Fund.
Where are they based?
Central Oxford
What will they use the Carrier Bag Funds for?
Run monthly free women & trans people mechanics sessions (called Beryl’s Night). This will be a 1-hour class and then a 2-hour drop-in DIY open workshop session to support women & trans people who are under-represented in mechanics and cycling to realise they can do mechanics!
The Broken Spoke is the only organisation in Oxford with women working as cycle mechanics, doing all they can to increase and support more women and trans people to access mechanics and be able to keep an affordable mode of transport on the road.
They also offer free tea and coffee to everyone using the workshop during the drop-in DIY sessions that are run three days a week for everyone in Oxford. This is important to make sure that people using the space are able to relax. People are often trying things they’ve never done before and it can take much longer than they anticipate. So they do their best to make sure that they're nourished and hydrated and have time to build a sense of community in the space and connect with those around them.
The Broken Spoke also recycle mixed steel and aluminium and the carrier bag levy will go towards the monthly cost of hiring a van to get the metal to the recycling centre.
How can colleagues get involved?
Please contact the Community Team directly at communityteam@midcounties.coop for volunteering opportunities.
Need more information?
Visit their website here.