Social Bike Business for Los Angeles

Help Create C.I.C.L.E.’s Bicycle Community Center

The first phase towards C.I.C.L.E.’s Bicycle Community Center in Northeast Los Angeles has sprung to life with the integration of the Social Bike Business, an innovative program developed by the international organization, One Street. Initial funding from New Belgium Brewing Company has enabled this planning and partner outreach phase of the project. 

We’re seeking partners for the next phases towards opening the Bicycle Community Center which will welcome Los Angelenos into an engaging and vibrant space for anyone, even the most reluctant bicyclist. Participants will find:

• Learning opportunities for transportation bicyclists
• Interactive exhibits and a dedicated retail area that showcases the latest practical (and stylish) transportation bikes, accessories and cargo-carrying options   
• A knowledgeable and passionate staff always on hand to connect them to the Center’s core programs and the best bike and gear to get or keep them rolling.
• Comprehensive bicycle education programs from teaching people to learn to ride for the very first time, to hauling a week’s worth of groceries home by bike.   
• A bicycle trailer rental service and a lending library featuring an extensive collection of bike-centric books and films that will afford bicycle die-hards, and the bicycle curious, with the opportunity to explore the bicycle’s rich history and culture.

At the heart of the Bicycle Community Center is the Social Bike Business, which will offer job training and create jobs through building quality, affordable transportation bikes designed by local residents and supporting their distribution to people in need in distressed neighborhoods near the Center. Just a few of the job training courses will include:

• Bicycle mechanics
• Bike shop management and ownership
• Bicycle manufacture
• Bike customer service – bike fitting, teaching others to ride, etc.

The Social Bike Business concept, developed by One Street, follows the principle of social business that adheres to the proven for-profit structure, but places the needs of people before profits. This means that while the Center will hold the needs of the people it serves as primary, it will also bring in enough revenue to support C.I.C.L.E. and its programs through fees and sales. Assistance programs through our partners will assist qualifying low-income individuals with the purchase of one of these bikes and the training that will help them meet with their everyday transportation needs. Individuals with more comfortable monetary means will purchase bicycles and accessories from the Center at retail cost and thus support C.I.C.L.E. and its programs.

But we need your help to make it happen!  

STAGE I: We have secured initial funding through C.I.C.L.E. and One Street as well as a targeted grant from the New Belgium Brewing Company to develop the partnerships, plans and designs necessary to launch a successful Social Bike Business program for Los Angeles.

STAGE II: We need:

• to secure a donated location for the Bicycle Community Center (with enough room to allow for necessary future expansions) in an appropriate neighborhood that will truly benefit from its services.
• to raise enough capital funding to open the center with at least:
• a reception area featuring interactive educational displays and exhibits
• classroom space with seating to accommodate up to 30 students 
• essential bicycle lifestyle/safety education workshop curriculum
• three bicycle repair training stations including bench area, supplies & tools, electronics and training materials
• coordination from C.I.C.L.E. and One Street

Estimate: $200,000

Stage III: We’ll expand upon our operations to include:

• social bike prototype completed with guidance from existing manufacturers
• jobs access and social bike business owner training program
• full time administration
• expanded safety/lifestyle education curriculum
• ongoing coordination from C.I.C.L.E. and One Street

Estimate: Another $150,000

Stage IV (Annual and Ongoing):We’ll need:  

• capital to commence full scale production of social bikes
• bicycle parts inventory for 500 transportation bicycles
• office/shop area to support full-time training & shop manager & promotions manager
• capital to support the launch and certification of at least two social bike shops
• continued coordination from C.I.C.L.E. and One Street

Estimate: Another $150,000

This Social Bike Business is the first of its kind in the world and will set the bar for others who work with One Street to replicate it for their cities. The success of this innovative and valuable community resource depends on raising the above capital for its launch through monetary and in-kind contributions from concerned community partners like you. Help make a difference in your community by bringing the Bicycle Community Center up to full capacity when it will reach self-sustainability.  Contact C.I.C.L.E. to get involved with the Bicycle Community Center.

C.I.C.L.E.’s full name is Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange. They are a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Their work focuses on promoting the bicycle as a viable, healthy, and sustainable transportation choice. Find out more at www.cicle.org. Find out more about One Street at www.onestreet.org.

Contact Liz Elliott, C.I.C.L.E.: 323.478.0060 or liz{at}cicle.org for more info.