QUEEN CITY WHEEL HOUSE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Provide an environment for learning and bicycle recycling for Helena and the surrounding area. Through recycling and youth, adult mechanics and safe riding courses bicycling will become an accessible transportation choice for Helena.

MISSION STATEMENT

Queen City Wheel House is a non-profit organization of bicycle enthusiasts whose mission is to educate and advocate for the safe use of bicycles as an affordable, viable and sustainable means of transportation, recreation, and personal enjoyment within our community. Queen City Wheel House provides re-cycled bikes and a welcoming space to learn about bicycle repair, maintenance and operation through outreach and advocacy activities.

OBJECTIVES

 To empower people to maintain their own bicycle and provide accessible learning opportunities for all levels of ability.

 To recycle safe and useable bicycle frames and parts, preventing them from entering the waste stream.

 To promote cycling as a safe, viable, and affordable medium for recreation and transportation.

 To help marginal or under represented groups who cycle to feel comfortable with their bikes and the space so they can in turn help others.

 To use established co-operative structures to ensure sustainability and continuity of service. We are not-for profit and any profits will go back into the project.

VALUES

 We promote the bicycle as appropriate and powerful technology

 We recognize bicycling as a means to increase community and quality of life

 We uphold the power of cyclists to transform the individual and the community

 We advocate environmental preservation and conservation by encouraging the use of the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation and recreation

 We strive to increase bicycling as a form of recognized not just “alternative transportation”

 We provide access to tools and knowledge regarding bicycles to anyone in the community regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, spiritual belief, age, gender identity, sexual orientation and physical ability

 We embrace the diversity of people through cycling as well as encourage partnership among the various local cycling populations

 We commit to providing a long-term programming to further the above values

STRATEGIES

Youth Education – mechanics/riding-on and off road

Adult Education – mechanics/riding-on and off road

Earn a Bike – Adults and Youth

Recycle Bicycles to support the education strategy

Attract Funding – Financial support and in-kind

Attract volunteers – Instructors/Helpers/day to day staffing

Trail Building/Stewardship/Access

LINKS OF INTEREST

BICYCLE ADVOCACEY ORGANIZATIONS

ADVENTURE CYCLING ASSOCIATION, Missoula, Montana https://www.adventurecycling.org/

As a nonprofit organization, Adventure Cycling Association’s mission is to inspire and empower people to travel by bicycle. Established in 1973 as Bikecentennial, we are the premier bicycle-travel organization in North America with more than 35 years of experience and 50,000 members. 

BIKE WALK MONTANA, Helena, Montana 

Bike Walk Montana makes bicycling and walking safe and accessible for all.

BIKE HELENA, Helena, Montana  

Bike Helena promotes all things cycling in Helena, Montana. Helena is an International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Silver Level Ride Center.

STATE OF MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION  http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/bikeped/

The state of Montana advocate of biking and walking.

 

LOCAL BICYCLE SHOPS

Big Sky Cycling and Fitness,   http://www.bigskybikes.com
801 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601  406-442-4644

Great Divide Cyclery/The Garage,   http://greatdividecyclery.com

336 Jackson Street, Helena, Mt. 59601  406-443-5188

M.O.P, Helena, Montana,   https://mopshopmakerspace.wildapricot.org/

The M.O.P. Shop is a shared workspace in Helena Montana that provides the maker the means (specialty tools, shop space, creative community) to make.

 

OTHER BICYCLE KITCHENS OF INTEREST

FREE CYCLES, Missoula, Montana,  http://www.freecycles.org/

732 S. 1st St. West Missoula, MT.

Our work seeks to create a healthy community through a wide range of strategies. The goal of Free Cycles is to help Missoula, Montana transition to a more sustainable transportation system while simultaneously setting a strong example for other places.

BOZEMAN BIKE KITCHEN, Bozeman, Montana    https://sites.google.com/a/bozemanbikekitchen.org/bozemanbikekitchen/

2104 Industrial Drive (at the corner of Griffin Drive)

We are a cooperative cycling center dedicated to making the use of bicycles as transportation and fun possible for all members of the Bozeman and greater Gallatin Valley communities.

NYC MEHANICAL GARDENS BIKE COOP, Brooklyn, New York http://bikecoop.nyc/

195 Maujer Street

We are New York City’s newest bike coop: a volunteer-run bicycle repair and education center dedicated to advancing mobility, social equality and environmental sustainability by expanding public access to bike repair tools, instruction, and shared wisdom.

BICYCLE INNER COMMUNITY ART AND SALVAGE, Tucson, Arizona  http://bicas.org/

44 W. 6th Street
We provide affordable transportation options and resources for everyone.