CALTECH BIKE LAB: Gearing up for the school year!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Gearing up for the school year!

UPDATE: MEETING TIME CHANGED TO MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17th, 7:30 PM, PCC LUCKY BALDWINS.

We are gearing up for the school year with an executive meeting of all the managers of the Caltech Bike Lab. If you are interested in getting involved the Bikelab, whether you are experienced gearhead or a new and eager cyclist, faculty, grad, staff, or undergrad, we would like to invite you to join us to contribute your ideas and efforts!

We are planning to meet next Monday Sept 17th, at 7:30 PM at Lucky Baldwins near PCC. It would also be great if you are interested to email us (bikeshop@caltech.edu) and let us know you'll be joining us.

Some things we'll be discussing, planning and looking forward to:

Bike Lab BBQ (perhaps with an Art Up Your Bike theme) -- socializing with bbq and beer
CICLE defensive cycling class (level up yo skillz) at the Caltech Y
Welcome to Pasadena Ride for incoming Caltech students
Tour de Fat (coming up in 11 days! Sep 15)
CicLAvia ride in October
stickers and new designs for the lab
more advocacy with the Transportation Office
request for funds, more bike amenities on campus

The great news is that incoming grad and undergrad Caltech students and incoming postdocs will be getting a one-page copy of the Transit Guide to Caltech and LA written by yours truly and Paul Anzel. So hey let's get more people on bikes, exploring LA and doing fun things!

Bike Lab Office Hours and Location

We sometimes have to cancel office hours due to schedule conflicts. See our Google Calendar for up-to-date office hour availability and for Bike Lab classes and events!

We are on the north side of California Blvd between Arden Ave and Hill Ave (closer to Arden than Hill). Enter the driveway with the black metal gates. We're immediately on your left below Dabney House.

Approximate Address: 1331 East California Boulevard, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA

(Google Maps)

Latitude : 34.136135
Longitude: -118.122987

What is the Caltech Bike Lab?

Caltech Bike Lab is a bike cooperative run by volunteers at Caltech, particularly students.

Joining Caltech Bike Lab is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills!

We are always interested in having members of the Caltech/JPL community visit the Bike Lab workspace, and help out by donating or volunteering at the shop or to host events. No prior experience required to get involved, just email us at bikeshop AT caltech DOT edu

We teach you how to fix/maintain your bike, organize classes on how to ride safely in the streets, host rides and other club events, teach classes on bike repair, and participate in local Pasadena/Los Angeles bike community outreach to try to make the streets safer for everyone, not just cars.

How can I access the Bike Lab?

The Caltech bike lab is open to the entire Caltech and JPL community.

Visitors may drop in on our regular office hours, where anyone can come and get access to tools and assistance with bike repair FREE without needing to get a key. See the schedule above.

Key access requires an annual membership fee of $10 or donation of a tool. E-mail us at bikeshop AT caltech.edu and we'll show you around the shop. If you're interested in volunteering at office hours, please contact us via email. Annual dues for volunteers are waived!

How to pay your annual dues:
For those of you who have a key -- you will find a stack of envelopes next to the donation box in the shop. Slip $10 in an envelope, write your name & email on it and put it in the donation box. Don't seal it, we can re-use the envelopes. Thank you! 45% of our annual budget is covered by you, the users.

We DO NOT have bikes for sale (we only do repair & have basic repair supplies in stock). If you are looking for a cheap bike, read this.

Yes, we take donations of bike parts and bikes. Come to any one of our volunteer office hours to donate (see Google Calendar above). Thanks!

Caltech Metro TAP subsidy

Caltech METRO Passes

Members of the Caltech community can now receive a Free Metro Pass that is valid for unlimited rides on all Metro bus and rail lines, as well as many local bus systems including Pasadena Transit. All active Caltech personnel are qualified to receive a Free Metro Pass

It is a subsidy provided by Caltech Transportation Office to support public transit use by members of Caltech community. Find METRO PASSES information here.

Student passes must be renewed quarterly at the Caltech Bookstore

Also: Caltech Bookstore sells U-locks and bike lights!

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Gearing up for the school year!