Join us in celebrating our 2019 Bicycle Connectors partners! Bicycle Connectors is an Our Streets Minneapolis initiative led by Cindy Vue, our Bicycle Encouragement and Volunteer Coordinator. Through Bicycle Connectors, we partner with local groups to use bicycling as a vehicle to connect and empower folks who are Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and/or people of color who are femme, trans, women, and/or non-binary.
We're thrilled to welcome both new and returning partners in the second year of Bicycle Connectors. Each partner organization will provide unique support to folks in their community who are interested in biking for transportation.
Learn about each of our 2019 partner organizations below:
B.R.A.V.E. Foundation Inc., based in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, will create a culturally sensitive space for Somali and East African women to use Nice Ride Minnesota bikes as tools to build community and promote healthy choices. Read about B.R.A.V.E. Foundation's 2018 Bicycle Connector program here.
Cleveland Neighborhood Association will lead women in their North Minneapolis community on bike rides to local businesses owned or staffed by majority people of color, or struggling to keep their doors open. Cleveland Neighborhood Association will focus on recruiting black and indigenous women to their rides. Read about their 2018 Bicycle Connectors program here.
Cycles for Change will add new group rides and bike commuter packages to their existing learn to ride programming in South Minneapolis. The commuter packages will include a well-fitting bike, helmet, lights, lock, and printed guide and will be given to folks who identify as both Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and femme, trans, and/or women (BIPOC/FTW) who express a need for the equipment.
Grease Rag Ride & Wrench: FOR US will engage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Femmes, Trans, Women, Non-Binary, and Two Spirit folks (BIPOC FTW) in community meals, a bike buying skill share, group rides, and day trips to create safer spaces where folks can explore and develop their interests in biking, while paying organizers in their community.
Haven Housing will provide women in crisis or transition with Nice Ride Minnesota memberships to use for exercise and transportation. Haven Housing staff will support their residents who use this program with group rides, and by offering incentives to residents who bike the most and/or participate in the rides. Read about Haven Housing's 2019 Bicycle Connectors program here.
Pedal Power will provide group rides, new rider classes, and meals to folks living in Northeast Minneapolis. Pedal Power plans to recruit parents of children in their successful school based biking program at Pillsbury Elementary School, with a focus on encouraging Somali mothers to ride.
Tamales y Bicicletas primarily works with Indigenous and Immigrant communities in the East Phillips neighborhood. For their Bicycle Connectors program, Tamales y Bicicletas will host Indigenous, Black, People of Color (IBPOC) bike repair workshops, along with bike rides, community garden workshops, and dinners. All of these activities will be created to reach and provide space for folks who speak Spanish. Read about Tamales y Bicicletas' 2019 Bicycle Connectors program.
Thank you to all of our 2019 Bicycle Connectors partners! We are thrilled to be able to support your work.
Stay tuned for updates about each program, and check out photos from the Bicycle Connectors kick-off and collaboration meeting at New Rules below.
