The organization is built around the belief that the bicycle is the world’s greatest, most utilized mode of transportation and that every individual, regardless of age, gender, race, or class has a right to afford, maintain, and enjoy one.
Check it outReno Bike Project is currently accepting applications Mechanic Educators!
If you are someone with mechanical chops as well as great people skills, patience (but also good hustle), and compassion for others, look into a position as a Mechanic Educator in our community bike shop—full time preferred, part time available. Make daily substantial impacts on our community by educating and encouraging cyclists to be self-reliant, motivated, and knowledgeable.
Are you a middle or high school interested in riding and wrenching this summer? Pedal on with Reno Bike Project during our two public ride camps! All equipment provided and sliding-scale scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis! For more information, and to register, use the links, below.
Summer Camp Session 1 (June 24-28)
Summer Camp Session 2 (July 22-26)
Requirements: Youth must be 11-18 years old, stand between 4’10 – 6’7, and know how to ride a bicycle. Participants should arrive having eaten breakfast and wearing comfortable/weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes.
Tuition: The camp fee is $150.00 per participant; if tuition is a barrier to participation, please contact bridget@renobikeproject.org; sliding scale pricing and scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis. All equipment is included, including a reusable water bottle (to keep), and a bike, helmet, gloves (to borrow)
This spring 25 middle and high school students from EnCompass Academy, Hand Up Homes for Youth, and High Desert Montessori School (HDMS) graduated the Major Taylor Program (MTP). Riding a collective 2,852 miles across Washoe County, students challenged themselves, tackling hilly routes, congested roads, and new bike mechanic skills with positive attitudes and the support of their classmates.
This is our fifth year working with HDMS, and early adopter of the MTP. Youth Programs Coordinator, Bridget Tevnan, remarks, “The Montessori Method really complements what we’re trying to accomplish through the Major Taylor Program. Whether it’s making educated traffic decisions, sharing words of encouragement as we pedal up Washington Street to Rancho San Rafael Park, observing nature in local green spaces, or working through failure while learning new mechanic skills, HDMS students seem particularly ready to engage in our curriculum.” Bar defensively bringing up the caboose of our twelve-person bike train, teachers Robin Barry and Jessica Estes lead by example—demonstrating the transformative power of engaging youth in education where choice, exploration, independence, and accountability direct instruction.
Bridget goes on, “I’ll never forget the first team-building activity I presented to the HDMS students. Standing together with a bike on a tarp, they were tasked with flipping over the tarp without anyone stepping off. I’d done this activity with other groups, and most of the time, the “strongest” kid would hold the bike. The HDMS group, though, applied skills we’d learned early in the week to remove the wheels and then divided the pieced-out bike amongst three students. Seeing such a collaborative and creative approach really informed how I structure our classes.”
This quarter included unique programming for HDMS students as they used bike riding to explore interdisciplinary subjects. A short ride up Wedekind Road brought us to Be the Change Project. There, we visited Katy and Kyle Chandler-Isacksen’s homestead and learned about how permaculture, low-impact building materials, solar power, and of course, bike commuting fit into a lifestyle that is healthy on individual, community, and global scales. On another ride along the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, students stopped at Fisherman’s Park to engage in a watershed lesson from long-standing partners, One Truckee River.
With exciting plans for complete street development along Wells Avenue and Oddie Boulevard in the works, students rode existing facilities, compared the corridor to routes near their school with more robust multimodal infrastructure (think: Victorian Avenue), read articles about the costs and benefits of adding protected bikes lanes, and practiced their writing skills with letters of support addressed to RTC Washoe. During a presentation, Project Manager, Maria Paz-Fernandez answered questions about the project’s funding, urban greening, and careers in civil engineering.
Finally, we joined community members in delivering donated books to Kate Smith Elementary School through Washoe County’s annual “Ride for Reading” event. Bridget’s comment: “It was inspiring to see these middle school students riding with council and community members alike. I think they were stoked to caravan through Sparks behind a police escort. The cowbells and cheering that welcomed us at Kate Smith were exciting, too!”
It probably goes without saying, but we believe it’s this type of multifaceted, engaging, and hands-on education that is desperately needed in our community, and we’re so grateful to our community partners for their continued effort and support!
Does the Major Taylor Program sound like a fit for your school, organization, or after-school program? Rocking a fleet of KHS mountain and road bikes, we’re looking to expand! Contact Bridget Tevnan this summer to schedule Fall 2019 classes and beyond!
Join Reno Bike Project, Craft Wine & Beer, and the Holland Project for a special collaborative fundraising street party featuring the debut of the limited-edition Tri-Lab beer from IMBĪB Custom Brews, art auction (a new take on RBP’s long-running We HeART Bikes show), music, drinks, food, silent auction and raffle, a special outdoor film screening, games, killer merch, and lots more – all for a good cause!
Fine Motor, Night Rooms and KWNK Reno Community Radio DJs will be performing; Uncle Buddy’s Reno will providing delicious fare on the wood-fired grill; and we’ll be screening two award-winning animated bicycle-themed films once the sun goes down.
Imbib’s Tri-Lab beer is a blend of new-school and noble hops laid down over a classic pilsner base. It’s a refreshing lager for sunny days that’s been double-dry-hopped with friendship. Also features a special artist-designed label!
Hope to see you at Craft (22 Martin Street) on June 6, starting at 6pm for a one-of-a-kind collaboration between long-time partners to support youth and community programs! ♥
Reno’s Cyclofemme Ride and Social event is returning Sunday, May 12th, 2019! Ride Reno with friends and family, participate in our active & uplifting cycling community, and learn about local groups you can go on more rides with!
Just like last year, we will be convening on Mother’s Day. Start your morning in the saddle, with free breakfast and one of three group rides that leave starting at 9a, then return to mingle and connect with friends and resources at the after-ride social until 1p. Enjoy the courtyard social and take advantage of the chance to get introduced to local cycling groups, complimentary drinks, music, and more!
This year, we are theming around “the power of motherhood,” and honoring women cyclists who help nurture and support Reno’s bike community, particularly youth.
More details available when you RSVP on Facebook!
Read our May Newsletter here (and some corrected links here)! Subscribe for monthly news in your inbox!
Coming April 20, as part of our 4th Street Grand Opening, it’s our first Bike Swap in YEARS!
In addition to giveaways and discounts, a raffle, alleycat & other games at the Grand Opening celebration, we will also have great deals on good-as-new, used, and vintage bikes. Even if you aren’t necessarily interested in buying a bike, browsing can be lots of fun for the family or pack of pals.
If you’ve got a bike (or five) you’re ready to let go to a new home, avoid the Craigslist/FB Marketplace weirdos trying to haggle or trade and let RBP handle the sale for you while you spend the day out or relax at home. Those who consign bikes through RBP have flexibility to drop the bike off at our shop on 4th St early (starting April 15). All bikes that do not sell should be picked up between 4-5:30pm on the 20th—or donated to RBP, who can issue you a tax-deductible donation receipt.
You’ll take home 80% of the sale price, while a 20% consignment fee will benefit Reno Bike Project’s education, advocacy, and outreach programs. This is the one time (every few years) when we offer the opportunity to consign, so don’t miss the occasion to put the bikes you’d like to sell in front of one of the best groups of folks looking to buy!
Please contact Genevieve with any questions and drop your bikes for sale off at 635 E 4th St. starting on 4/15!
The Reno Bike Project
Kona Hoss Deluxe