Trail Access and Accessible Bicycling

We aim to fully subsidize the creation of some nimble, capable bikes for people who otherwise wouldn't be able to ride, get onto trails, and explore New York's lesser known wildlands. The recipients of the bicycles covered by this grant will get a tailormade bicycle for free. 

The world of cycling is large and intimidating to the beginner. Large swaths of the industry are controlled by huge corporations who produce bicycles overseas in a few sizes that fit their idea of the existing market. As well, bikes are sold based on what's trendy and cost efficient, not what's actually comfortable or appropriate for the rider--especially riders that don't fit big company's ideas of a sure bet for a product. For example, it's cheaper for a large company to buy wheels in only one size from another manufacturer, which limits the bicycles they can produce (for example, a smaller sized bike needs smaller sized wheels to comfortably fit a rider with a smaller frame). While this means that companies save money and sell bikes for less, this also means many people are left to ride ill-fitting bicycles or are excluded from the market competely.    

The solution is simple: a custom-built bicycle. This way the rider can be measured by an expert and discuss how they want their bike to feel and what they want to use it for. However, this is prohivitely expensive for many people, often upwards of $5000. Instead of being produced as part of a large batch on an assembly line in a homogonized factory, custom bikes are built one by one, making the process significantly more expensive. It's simply not realistic for people who are dipping their toes into the bike world for the first time to have this type of budget or even access to a local framebuilder. By avoiding economy engineering altogether and providing users with a bicycle that best suits their needs, free of cost, we will be able to completely sidestep the fiancial barrier of entry that many cyclists face.

This project will identify individuals who, with the right bike and access to knowledge about the trails outside their door, could become bridges between their own communities and the bike community. As the right equipment enables them to become more self-assured riders they will open up the door to a more diverse and inclusive cycling community. 

At the end of the day, we want people to bloom and thrive in all aspects of their lives through cycling. Watching someone gain confidence, find a new community, and interact with the nature that's right around them is the most rewarding aspect of being a bicycle framebuilder, and we believe this experience should be extended to people who have been financially excluded from it. 

Outreach

-Introducing the project to members of the community

-Community members suggesting bike recipients and involving interested parties in the process

Prototyping

-Drafting, designing, and approving various bicycles for their intended recipients

-Materiel selection 

Final Construction

-Fabrication

-Building the bicycle frames

-Bicycle assembly and introduction to maintence

Usage

-Getting the recpients to trails and involved with wildland usage and stewardship

-Connecting new users with existing cycling communities

We are doing this to widen the cycling community in and around New York City. We want to use community-based action to bring the diversity of New York City to the regions trail systems. 

We look forward to getting people as stoked on bikes as we are. As people who have accidentally dedicated our lives to cycling, we want to share the same joy that we are able to experience every time we jump onto bikes with as many people as possible. At the end of the day, we sincerely believe that more people on bikes makes for a healthier, happier, and more sustainable world.