PEDAL PARTY 2024
2024 EMILY CARR PEDAL PARTY WRAP UP REPORT
Our first annual Pedal Party was a wonderful success!
We want to THANK YOU ALL for participating in both the Pedal Party and last week’s Go By Bike Week!
Helping your child choose more sustainable modes of transportation is key to a healthier lifestyle and an environmentally friendly future. It begins with small scale initiatives like these and we are delighted to see the support from all the families. For the organizing committee, it was an absolute pleasure putting everything together and we look forward to getting more support in the years to come!
We recognize that though Emily Carr Elementary is a wonderful heritage school in the heart of Vancouver, unfortunately it is at a great disadvantage for cycling facilities and access from public streets. We set out to change that this year by hosting the Pedal Party for the kids, and it did not disappoint! At this year's event we had:
BIKE INFO STATION - a table with fantastic resources on Bike To School Week and adaptive cycling.
DECORATING STATION - a place where children can spice up their rides with various decorating materials.
ONE DAY TUNE UPS - to help busy families, we organized a local mobile bike mechanic to tune up bikes from morning to afternoon on the day of the event.
PEDALHEADS - an energetic group of young coaches from Pedalheads Bike Camps Inc. (w/ special thanks to Monica) set up a tent, info table, obstacle course and gave out coaching tips to young riders.
BUS BIKE DEMO RACK - we had TransLink's bus bike demonstration rack on site so families can practice loading a bike in a safe and comfortable environment, with guidance from an experienced volunteer.
USED BIKES - for children to try out as many have outgrown their bikes since last year and so we offered a chance to try out the next size up. Almost all bikes were sold as part of the fundraiser.
SNACK BAR - but of course, how could an event go without this! Also had a generous donation of Gnubee juice boxes from GnuSanté Creations that were given out for free.
VELO STAR CAFE - the amazing team from Velo Star Cafe came out to show their support with a generous offering of cider, pastries, and coffee for both kids and adults!
FREE GIVEAWAYS - thanks to the generosity of HUB Cycling and TransLink, there were lots of stickers and bike accessories for children to outfit their bikes with. We received a generous donation of brand new helmets from Lime, safety vests from Cheapskates Consignment, and bike reflectors from Our Community Bikes.
A BIG RACE on SMALL BIKES - maybe the highlight of the event, a popular teacher and a parent raced around the large field on small kids bikes.
We are unbelievably humbled by all the support we received this year! A small group of tireless parents worked their tails off evenings and weekends to bring this event to fruition.
We have already begun plans for next year, and we hope to get more support from Emily Carr parents to bring forward more great ideas and help make the event even more amazing next year!
2024 EMILY CARR PEDAL PARTY
Mark your calendars and dust off your bikes!
Wednesday, May 29th (3pm to 6pm) will be Emily Carr's First Annual Pedal Party, and you are invited! Lots of events and activities are planned so be sure to join in on the excitement!
Some of the activities that we have already planned are:
1. Bike Tune Ups - NOMADIC MECHANIC, a mobile bike mechanic will be taking orders to tune up bikes from morning to afternoon. Families that choose to pay for this service will drop their bikes off in the morning, and the mechanics will work on them throughout the day so they will be ready for pick up in the afternoon. Scroll down to the next section to get all the bike tune up details!
2. Bike Decorating Workshop - a fun workstation where students can decorate and personalize their bikes with fun and colourful materials.
3. Safety Inspection Station - a student-lead, parent-guided inspection checklist that educates and empowers students to ensure both their bike and helmet are safe for riding.
4. TransLink Bus Bike Rack - a demonstration rack where parents and children can practice to use the bike rack.
5. Practice Circuit - a small course with fun bike obstacles in the field for the children to ride on and test out their bikes and skills.
6. Food, Snacks, and Drinks - but of course!
7. Try and Buy! Find the Right Bike Size - there will be bikes sized 16", 20" and 24" that kids can try out and so parents can figure out what the "right" size is. These bikes will be sold as part of the fundraiser, so we hope you will come out and use this opportunity to help both your child and save yourself valuable time finding a good used bike.
We are planning a number of other fun and useful activities at the event, but those details are also being finalized. Information will be released as it becomes available.
To make this event most successful, we need help from parents in the community. Specifically, we are looking for 1-2 volunteers for each of the stations mentioned above either for the Set Up shift (2:30-5pm) or Take Down shift (4pm-6:30pm). If you have an interest in volunteering, please reach out to emilycarrwalkbikeroll@gmail.com.
While this event is focused around cycling, we understand families may choose different alternatives to active transportation. We are still hoping to create a welcoming atmosphere for all modes whether it be scooters, strollers, or skateboards.
Also, if any families need help with adaptive cycling solutions, we encourage you to reach out so we can put you in touch with some helpful resources. We truly want all children to feel welcomed and take part in this exciting event.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Pedal Party!
GET YOUR BIKE TUNED UP BY NOMADIC MECHANIC!
we are pleased to announce that Emily Carr will have Nomadic Mechanic on site on the day of the Pedal Party (Wed, May 29th) from morning 'till afternoon, working hard on essential tune ups. All types of bicycles will be accepted, both kids and adults, so you can bring your whole 'fleet' in - but you must register your bike(s), so please read important details on pricing and logistics below:
COST: Prices are set based on type of bike per description below
All adult bikes (26" and up) and/or geared bikes (any size) - cost is $65 per bike ($15 of that will go to Pedal Party Fundraiser)
All kids single gear, rigid frame bikes (24" and under) - cost is $50 per bike ($10 of that will go to Pedal Party Fundraiser)
BOOKING DEADLINE: All bookings must be made by Wednesday, May 22nd (inclusive).
PROMOTION: All bikes booked by Monday, May 13th will receive a $5/bike voucher to spend on food, snacks, drinks, bike accessories, or even bikes at the Pedal Party.
HOW TO BOOK: You must book your bike through Nomadic Mechanic's booking form. If you are booking more than one bike, you must list them under the Make/Model section (list as: 1, 2, 3 etc. along with description of each). Be sure to mention Emily Carr Pedal Party in the "How did you hear about us" section. After you have sent a booking request, Nomadic will send you a request for payment that you will have to complete for your booking to be confirmed.
DROP OFF / PICK UP: Nomadic Mechanic will be on site starting at 8am on Wed, May 29th ready to receive the bikes. Drop off will be in the covered area at the NW corner of the school, facing Oak Street. The bikes must be pre-booked and pre-paid (see above). Mechanics will be receiving bikes until 12pm (noon) at the latest. Pick up will be in the same area and we will need your drop off tag or ID to pick up your bike. Bikes must be picked up by 4pm at the latest.
TUNE UP DESCRIPTION: The Essential Tune Up include shift adjust, brake adjust, lubrication of chain and derailleur pivots, tire inflation, bolt check, and diagnosis of further issues. If additional work is required, you will be notified at pick up. Unfortunately due to time, mechanics will not be able to perform additional maintenance that may have additional cost but will notify you at pick up.
ABOUT NOMADIC MECHANIC: Nomadic Mechanic is Squamish and Vancouver’s very own mobile bike shop, bringing professional bike services and repairs straight to your door. With a collective 20 years experience fixing, tuning, and riding bikes, our mechanics strive to get you back in the saddle as quickly and safely as possible.
ABOUT THE TEAM: Nomadic Mechanic was born out of a passion for bikes. Owners Rigel and Frankie strive to provide Vancouver riders with a more personal and efficient bike maintenance solution. By transforming their vans into mobile bike shops they no longer need to rely on the customer to deliver them their bikes. Keep an eye out for the Nomadic Mechanic team next time you’re riding around the city or on the trails of Squamish, and don’t be afraid to stop and say “hi”!
