December News at Sibley Bike Depot

Hey everybody,

The staff and Board at Sibley want to extend a big thank-you to everybody for all your support in making 2009 a fantastically successful year at Sibley Bike Depot.  With your help, we were able to support hundreds of people in using bikes for transportation and create a community space for people to come together and learn about bikes.  In 2009, Sibley's programs resulted in:

  • 170 youth completed Sibley's Junior Mechanics class, receiving high school credit and earning a bike to keep
  • 350 adults attended one of Sibley's free classes in Basic Bike Maintenance, Complete Overhaul, Winter Commuting, and more.
  • 150 bicycles were donated to great community partner organizations, including YWCA, Youth Farm and Market Project, Northside Bike Project, Aurora-St. Anthony NDC, and more.
  • Over 70 people Earned-a-Bike by volunteering 10-25 hours at Sibley
  • Open Shop was provided free to the public 3 days per week all Spring, Summer, and Fall
  • $193,000 in funding for 2010-2011 was secured for Sibley to launch the Community Partners Bike Library to provide bicycles on long-term loan, with program support in safe cycling and bike maintenance, to low-income community members.

Thanks again for all your help this year.  If you haven't supported us financially, consider an end-of-the-year gift - Sibley is so very close to reaching our Fall Fundraising Campaign goal - we have raised $9,300 towards our goal of $10,000 - help us reach our goal by the end of the year!

***Sibley Closed for the Holidays

It's been a busy year, and the hard-working Board, staff, and volunteers need a break!  Sibley Bike Depot will close from Tuesday, December 22 through Friday, January 1; we will reopen for Open Shop on Saturday, January 2 for our regular winter hours.

***Winter Women's and Trans Shop Night at Sibley

Women's and Trans Night at Sibley will begin again with programming in January!  Come Thursday, January 7 and 21 from 5-8pm for workshops on winter cycling.  After that, Women's and Trans Night will continue on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 5-8pm.

***Upcoming Classes at Sibley

Sign up for a spot in a new Trailer Building class!  The class will go from Tuesday, January 5 through Tuesday, January 26 from 6;8:30pm.  Sign up for the class through the Twin Cities Experimental College at www.excotc.org.  Also, sign up for one of Sibley's upcoming Basic Bike Maintenance classes!  January's session will occur on Sunday afternoons from 3-5:30, January 20-February 7.  Email Jason@sibleybikedepot.org with any class questions.

***The Bike Show on SPNN

Sibley Bike Depot partnered with Saint Paul Neighborhood Network to create "The Bike Show," a community television production with tutorials on bike repair, testimonials from Sibley volunteers, and info on the rules of the road.  Check out the show on SPNN Channel 19!  Upcoming show-times include:  Thurs, Dec. 10 at 7am and 10pm; Sat. Dec, 12 at 8:30am and 4:30pm; Sun. Dec. 13 at 8:30am and 6:30pm.  Check www.spnn.org for further listings.

***Marketing and Financial Volunteers Needed!

Sibley Bike Depot needs support for 2010 in two critical areas:  Financial Management, and Marketing/Publicity.  Join Sibley's Finance Team to help ensure effective financial accounting and money management.  In particular, Sibley is looking for a skilled financial profession - ideally a Certified Public Accountant - to provide financial oversight and potentially join Sibley's Board of Directors.

Sibley is also looking for volunteers with Marketing experience to lead Sibley in designing (and implementing) a Marketing Plan for 2010.  As Sibley grows, it's more important than ever to design effective publicity, outreach, and imaging to get our message across loud and clear.  Email volunteer coordinator Jason@sibleybikedepot.org with interest or ideas.

***Thanks again!

Thanks for everybody for all your amazing support in 2009!  Help Sibley Bike Depot be an even stronger organization in 2010 by supporting us with your time, ideas, energy, or financial support.  Don't be a stranger - stop in and visit us anytime we're open!

Yours,

the folks at the Sibley Bike Depot