project leader
Anthony C
location
97 Park Street
(Just South of Downtown Hartford in the South Green neighborhood)
latest update rss
We made it! Thank you for getting us to our fundraising goal!

the project

March 2020 Update - It's a wrap!  The IOBY crowdfunding campaign closed in early March, and with the help of almost 100 supporters we exceeded the fundraising goal.  You can still chip-in and help BiCi Co. weather the COVID crisis while supporting essential transportation in our community and the Hartford region - DONATION AND MEMBERSHIP INFO HERE.  BiCi Co. members and supporters are the lifeblood of our community bicycle workshop.

BiCi Co. Covid Crisis Flyer

On February 5th this campaign was updated to include our stretch goal of getting 'Bikes for Jobs' funded for 2020. This critical program gets those most in need to work via sustainable and healthy transportation.  Think about how many jobs exist within a walkable two-mile radius of the corner of Park and Main Street in Hartford. That includes most of Downtown, but doesn’t reach the West End, East Hartford, West Hartford Center, Windsor, or Wethersfield. Now expand that radius to five miles, an easy biking distance in the same thirty minutes. The range of destinations, employers, programs, and opportunities increases as a function of the radius SQUARED.

This campaign is critical to carry the Do-It-Yourself repair hours into 2020, and we are looking to expand that concept to the new BiCi Co. location in West Hartford.  Your contribution will also fund a new school-based Earn-a-Bike project and a "Light the Night" safety campaign.  We can't do it without your help!

BiCi Co. is a terrific project at the Center for Latino Progress.  We are raising funds with this campaign to carry our Do-It-Yourself bicycle repair (and learning hours).  These DIY hours are critically important in our community for residents from Hartford and the metro region to maintain and accessorize their bicycle on a budget.  Aside from fixing their own bicycles the DIY hours are critical for volunteers that attend to tune up bicycles for the annual youth BIKELIFE and Bikes for Jobs programs.  With a staff member (or two) with master mechanic bicycle skills and several handy volunteers, we can up-cycle a whole lot of bicycles and get them under riders in the Hartford metro area.  

Teens attend during DIY hours, and this campaign includes twenty sponsored teen one-year memberships for young people who complete the Earn-a-Bike program.  These young people ride for both fun and transportation, and while in the shop they are building hand-on skills while also making social connections with volunteers and visitors from across the region that wouldn't happen outside the shop. Several teens have followed this path to become staff mechanics at BiCi Co.  The DIY hours support tuning up bicycles for the April BIKELIFE event where teens from across the city take bike safety courses and take home a tuned up used bicycle, lock, light, and helmets.  It takes a lot of volunteer hours to tune up 80 bicycles over the winter for this Spring Break week each year.

Volunteers tuning up adult bicycles at BiCi Co. for those that referred to the Bikes for Jobs program, connecting low-income adults to bicycles that connect them to interviews, workforce training programs, jobs, medical appointments, shopping, and more.  An upcycled bicycle converts a 1-mile walking job search radius to a 5-mile riding radius covering 25 times more area!  BiCi Co. would like to carry Do-It-Yourself hours forward into 2020 and test run DIY hours at the new BiCi Co. West location at our new shop that's currently under construction.  This project will also support Light the Night bike lights and a new 2020 offsite Earn-a-Bike Program at Hartford's Kinsella school.

CUSTOM DONATION LEVELS - Choose a donation level that works for your budget.  If you don't see a suggested donation level that works for you, set a unique value that you choose.  A few additional suggestions below:

  • $1,000 - BiCi Co. Lifetime Membership and access to Do-It-Yourself Hours.  This donation level includes a BiCi Co. t-shirt.
  • $5,000 - BiCi Co. Founders Circle for the BiCi Co. West location in West Hartford's Elmwoord neighborhood.  This donation level will put your name (or a name you want to honor) on the Founders Circle plaque at the new shop location.  This donation level includes a BiCi Co. t-shirt.
  • $Custom - Or select a donation level that makes you happy!  Thank you for moving our bicycle and community mission forward.

BiCi Co. Logo

the steps

  1. (ADDED FEB 5TH) Fund the 2020 'Bikes for Jobs' program that connects those most in need of bicycle transportation to a bike, lock, lights, and helmet.
  2. Purchase a trailer with the matched funds to support the new after school Earn-a-Bike project at Kinsella School in Hartford.
  3. Schedule 2020 Do-It-Yourself bicycle repair hours at the 97 Park Street BiCi Co. location. 
  4. Purchase tools, storage, and racks for the BiCi Co. West shop, to support Do-It-Yourself hours and BiCi Co. West shop operations and programming. Choose a time and day of the week for pilot Do-It-Yourself hours at 616 New Park Avenue in West Hartford's Elmwood neighborhood.
  5. Organize volunteers to assist with bicycle tune ups for the 2020 April BIKELIFE event and the Bikes for Jobs referrals.
  6. Purchase bicycle lights for the BiCi Co. 2020 Light the Night project to get bike lights on as many commuter bikes and youth bikes as possible in the Metro Hartford region.

why we're doing it

Bicycle commuting is a critically important part of our city's transportation system.  Over 30% of Hartford's households don't have a car and the median household income of $33,000 means that many families are operating on a shoestring budget for transporation.  Beyond the equity benefits of BiCi Co's Do-It-Yourself bicycle repair hours and related projects, bicycle commuting must grow as a percentage of transportation trips if Hartford is going to help the state meet our important greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.  The largest contributor to Connecicut's greenhouse gas emissions is the transportation sector at 38% of the total.

The 'Light the Night' component of this crowdfunding campaign is all about bicycle commuter visibility and safety.  Even more important than a bicycle helmet (which can be obtained for free at BiCi Co.) is avoiding crashes in the first place.  Bicycle lights are hugely important during the short days of winter and for 2nd and 3rd shift employees that are out on bicycles in the dark.  Children riding their bikes to school in the dark shouldn't be invisible.  Light the Night will make sure that many, many more bicycle riders have lights on their bicycles in 2020.  

(ADDED FEB 5TH) The 'Bikes for Jobs' program has been very successful in the first two years of that pilot program, and we need your help to carry that project forward into the third year in 2020.  This program connects those in shelters, job training programs, transitional housing, and teen and young adult interns to an up-cycled bicycle for the low fee of $20 for the bicycle, lock, lights, and a helmet.  These 'Bikes for Jobs' provide critically important mobility that fills in the gaps in our regions transit system and schedule, particularly on evenings and weekends.

BiCi Co. Group Ride Selfie on Bike to Work Day

budget

Disbursed budget:

BiCi Co. 2020 IOBY Crowdfunding Campaign Budget Detail Form Funds to be used between 3/1/2020 - 2/28/2021

Instructional (Training) Materials - Bicycle safety and mechanic manuals $ 300

Consumable Supplies - $ 4,000

Rags, lubricant, cleaner $ 500

Bicycle reflector kits and reflective tape $ 500

Bicycle Lights for all BiCi Co. bikes and "Light the Night" (not covered by other programs) $ 3,000

Equipment Maintenance and Leasing - Tool replacement, worn and broken $ 500

Participant Support - 20 sponsored teen Do-It-Yourself memberships $ 2,000

Total Miscellaneous $ 31,113

BiCi Co. DIY / Earn-a-Bike Trailer - For new offsite programs $ 2,950

BICi Co. West DIY Shop Tools and Tool Racks $ 7,500

BiCi Co. West and Trailer Project - Rolling Tool Chest $ 558

Publicity and advertising of Do-It-Yourself Hours (incl social media) $ 500

BiCi Co. T-shirts for crowdfunders, long term BiCi Co. distributed awareness $ 1,500

Bikes for Job Program - 12 months. 110 upcycled bicycles with lock, lights, and helmets. $ 17,384

TOTAL $ 37,913



TOTAL RAISED = $38,526.00
ioby Platform Fee $35.00
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $577.88
TOTAL TO DISBURSE= $37,913.12

Updated Budget 2/5/20:

$10,000 for Bikes for Jobs

Instructional Materials = $300

Consumable Supplies = $4,000 for rags, lubricant, cleaners, bicycle reflectors, and bicycle lights.  Getting more lights onto bikes is important for BiCi Co's goal to increase safety for bike riders in Hartford, West Hartford, and the larger region.

Equipment and Tools Maintenance = $500 for tool replacement and repair throughout 2020

Participant Support = $2,000 for twenty teen Do-It-Yourself BiCi Co. sponsored annual memberships (for teens that complete the Earn-a-Bike course)

Other Program Expenses = $13,008 for an Earn-a-Bike trailer, shop tools and tool storage racks, rolling tool chests, DIY hours advertisement, and member / volunteer BiCi Co. t-shirts



PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED = $29,808
ioby Platform Fee $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%)
(Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.)
$454
TOTAL TO RAISE = $30,297
Please note: ioby fees are estimated and will be calculated based on totals at the end of the campaign.  

Original Budget:

Instructional Materials = $300

Consumable Supplies = $4,000 for rags, lubricant, cleaners, bicycle reflectors, and bicycle lights.  Getting more lights onto bikes is important for BiCi Co's goal to increase safety for bike riders in Hartford, West Hartford, and the larger region.

Equipment and Tools Maintenance = $500 for tool replacement and repair throughout 2020

Participant Support = $2,000 for twenty teen Do-It-Yourself BiCi Co. sponsored annual memberships (for teens that complete the Earn-a-Bike course)

Other Program Expenses = $13,008 for an Earn-a-Bike trailer, shop tools and tool storage racks, rolling tool chests, DIY hours advertisement, and member / volunteer BiCi Co. t-shirts



PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED = $19,808
ioby Platform Fee $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $302
TOTAL TO RAISE = $20,145

updates

We made it! Thank you for getting us to our fundraising goal!

BiCi Co. Friends and Supporters - Thanks for helping us exceed the crowdfunding campaign funding goal.  98 Supporters took us up and over the goal and allowed us to add in and fund one of our favorite, impactful programs in 2020 - Bikes for Jobs.

If you missed the campaign, or want to help us make it through the COVID crisis, you can still become a member or make a donation.  BiCi Co. members keep our wheels turning throughout the year, getting bikes out into the community, connecting our neighbors to jobs, getting our hands dirty in the workshop with friends, and getting youth, teens, and adults a low-cost means of healthy recreation and transportation. --- GET A MEMBERSHIP OR DONATE HERE

We're staying open through the crisis as an "essential business".  Please support BiCi Co. and your local bike shops through these challenging times. Visit us at 97 Park St.  Special Info on our COVID Crisis hours and operation.

Join us on Feb 21st and help BiCi Co. blast past our funding goal!

We know many are excited to see what BiCi Co has been up to at 616 New Park Ave West Hartford. We have been hinting at the arrival of a second shop, and now it is ready for an unveiling.  We've got a build team inside cranking away. Walls are up and electrical is run. We're on track for a Spring opening.

This segment of the ride, however, is not yet complete. We need you're help to get us over the hill.

Grab free tickets here to join us 6-9pm on Friday, February 21st for a special viewing of the second BiCi Co West Shop at 616 New Park Ave.  Invite bicycle loving friends!

Feb 19th Campaign Status - We're at 88%, with just $3,655 to go!

616 New Park Avenue, West Hartford - BiCi Co. West location photo

Join us for a Celebration at BiCi Co. West on Feb 21st

Friends - BiCi Co. is expanding our footprint to get more bicycles out into the region while also supporting the overall BiCi Co. mission and programs.  Join us on Feb 21st for a party and social at the new BiCi Co. West location in West Hartford's Elmwood Neighborhood.  RSVP HERE.

BiCi Co. West Party Flyer, Feb 21st

Adding 'Bikes for Jobs' to the Campaign Goal

We just added 'Bikes for Jobs' to the campaign goal. It is a $10,000 stretch, but we think we can make it with your help.  Spread the word and share the campaign link with friends and your bicycle loving network.

This is a critically important project in Hartford for getting those most in need connected to bicycles that provide connections to job training, workplaces, daily destinations, and medical appointments.  The grant funds for the 'Bikes for Jobs' program ended in December 2019, and with your help, we can continue the project through 2020.  Thanks for your support, donations, and BiCi Co. memberships!

31% of the Goal on January 14th! Let's Roll to 100%!

31 percent of the goal on January 14th

We're gearing up for two spring Earn-a-Bike sessions this year, one at the shop and the second new program at Kinsella Elementary.  This fundraiser supports the supplies and a trailer that we need for the Kinsella after school Earn-a-Bike program.  Spread the word and thanks for your support!

Registration is open for the 2020 in-shop Earn-a-Bike that starts in February.  Here's the Registration Link

We've made it to 18% on Dec 30th

Friends and Supporters - Thanks for moving this campaign to 18% of the funding goal.  Please share this campaign with friends and other bicycle lovers to help get us to the campaign goal.

Hey hey! Gannon Long was on Bicycle Talk with Ron Manizza in December. Check out the podcast.  Beyond the shop, the Center's BiCi Co. and Transport Hartford programs are making sure that our cities and towns have a plan for safe and connected bike routes along with safe crosswalks and improved bus transit.

https://whus.org/2019/12/bicycle-talk-episode-179/

Thank you for believing in BiCi Co.

This crowdfunding campaign is off to a fantastic start!  Just two days in and supporters have pedaled us to 14% of the goal.  

For those that haven't yet chipped in, consider a BiCi Co. membership or donation as a holiday gift to your bike loving family member or friend. BiCi Co. will put the donation to important use in the new year.  Thank you for believing in BiCi Co. and the strength of our community, staff, and volunteers to change the world.

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Stephen N.
  • Anonymous
  • Andy
  • Bob King
  • Laurie McElwee
  • Eric Eisnor
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Alexander Truskowski
  • The Bike Karma Podcast
  • Barry Rahmy
  • Benjamin E Norland
  • Jamie Auciello
  • Geoffrey E Hansen
  • Kate F.
  • Beth Bye and Tracey wilson
  • Heidi and Bob
  • Joseph Dickerson
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Kevin Sullivan
  • Shari C.
  • Hartford Marathon Foundation, Pedal to the Medal
  • Sitn' On Jon
  • Jim Jinks
  • Michael & Norma Ignatowicz
  • Anonymous
  • Arleen Cohen
  • Marty Kane
  • Margo Lynn
  • Andrew May
  • Barbara Walden and Bill Veronesi
  • Alyssa Norwood
  • Allen Ambrose
  • Ethan and Tracy
  • Whit Osgood
  • Less Road Traveled
  • Christine Ciccone and Peter Waite
  • Emily Wolfe
  • Kevin Lamkins
  • Paula W.
  • Anonymous
  • Joe Kitz
  • Anonymous
  • Michael Zager
  • Dan Sharp
  • Mary Lee Morrison
  • James Augeri
  • William A Cherolis
  • M. McMahon
  • Anonymous
  • David Blatt
  • Kevin Sullivan
  • Anonymous
  • @Wilson_Bikes
  • Luke & Sara Bronin
  • Adam P
  • Anonymous
  • tracy Frankel
  • Anthony Cherolis