Bike Clubs

[shootingstar]

My questions are:

1. If you are involved in a club, how long has it been established?

I am only a member and volunteer for the cycling advocacy organization which does advocacy, cycling skills training and some rides. This organization has been around at least 15 yrs. THere is a bike club which focuses primarily on just rides for all levels,but non-competitive. Also another group for randonneurs.

2. Do you have insurance? Our group does. For every ride, people do sign waivers. My dearie recently negotiated the latest contract with the organization's insurer. He negotiated for a good deal (by spending over 50 min. It wasn't just blindly signing a deal. ) because the membership is getting big.

3. How do you acquire new members?

Website, newsletter, special events that involve all city and suburbs, ie. 2 Bike to Work Wks. annually, rides, local media exposure by sending out/contacting main media (newspaper, radio and tv). Joint public events with other related organizations. Exposure, exposure to the media and to other community groups is important. Having a email push listserve group is still easiest to reach everyone...especially when not everyone is on Facebook, Twitter. Is there a web link to your group from the municipality's website? Membership also provides some discount with partner bike shops, etc.

4. Do you have fund raisers?
If so, what are they?

They have raffles by partnering with local businesses who donate items. T-shirts. A small amount from rides. Very tiny. They also have paid staff who assist. Note paid staff only occurred in last 5 years or so. They have applied for on specific projects for some funding from municipal and provincial govn't. This funding is more tied to their cycling advocacy work, not for rides.

5. What advice can you give me?
If you don't know already, there is always a small handful of dedicated board members and volunteers. Make sure you have events that draw across your communities..to get new blood in. Necessary for long-term club sustainability/growth. Survival of a cycling group isn't the budget..it's the people who are willing to carry onward consistently to organize events, speak on cycling, etc. I was in a bike group for women...it wasn't the budget that was our downfall, it was the lack of new volunteer blood 5 yrs. later. In fact our budget was less than $5,000 but we had the support /attendance of 300 women over a wide provincial region. But the core volunteer work was done by 8-10 people in 1 city. There was no other way to handle the coordination efficiently.

Develop friendly relationships, even if distant (if you are not into cycling advocacy), with municipal transportation/engineering depts., municipal council. It will help the club in the future when their support is needed.

Be not afraid. You will GROW. In cycling knowledge, connections, etc. Be a fun group first that helps others learn without blowing the budget. Then everything else will follow.