Chicago Bike Angels - Let's start this!

Hello Chainlink people!

So, my name is Kevin and I'm fairly new to this community but have been a cyclist at heart for good chunk of time.  But what brings me here posting today is that I really, really want to start a cycling program here in Chicago.  And this is what it will be...

It will be called Chicago Bike Angels.  Chi Bike Angels will connect aspiring cyclists with enthusiastic volunteers who will show them the ropes of city riding and most importantly, giving them the confidence and support they need to start.  How many of us know at least one person who wants to ride but is intimidated or scared of the city streets?  Well, Bike Angels will get those folks out there!  Bike Angels will meet one-on-one with these people and ride and chat with them giving them the much needed know-how and support.

The program started in Sao Paulo, Brazil but has spread across the country (check their website here).  The idea was brought to me by a traveling Brazilian I met in Chicago and since then, I've skyped with the founders in Brazil and just yesterday, had dinner with Julie from The Chainlink who said we could use the site if needed (whoohoo! Julie, you're the best!).

Chi Bike Angels is just an idea now but I'm looking to find some nice people who would want to help out with organizing any aspect of the project.  Could that be you?? Please respond to the thread or message me if you want to help or just have an idea. I'm thinking that we'll have a first meeting in the next week or two and by Spring, we'll be on the streets with some new cyclists!

Ok, thanks for reading this big post and let me know if you can be involved! 

Kevin

Update:  First meeting for anyone/everyone will be Saturday, Jan 21 at 3pm at On The Route Bicycles (3144 N Lincoln).  Also, anyone interested in helping at all, please email chibikebud@gmail.com so we can keep you in communication and be in contact!  Also, name change - we are now Bike Buddies.  Thanks for all the support so far, woo! 

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Permalink Reply by Joanne McSweeney on January 14, 2012 at 7:12am

We are very interested in this program. In fact we are planning a very similar idea. please contact me via face book or my websites.   Joanne  co owner TREK Bicycles on Michigan Avenue and On The Route Bicycles.

Permalink Reply by danny on January 14, 2012 at 3:22pm

speaking of other kind of bike angels(I first wrote angles since I'm a math teacher)...

I locked my bike downtown the other day cause the chain fell off and I had to ditch it without a fix. When I came back days later someone had fixed the chain. I will return the favor to some one some day.

It made my day!

Permalink Reply by Annamarie Fadorsen on January 15, 2012 at 5:06am

I'm interested in helping, please keep me in the loop!  My free time is a bit packed right now, but it'll clear up at some point :-D

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Johnson on January 16, 2012 at 10:02am

Kevin,

Add me as a friend, I want to discuss this more with you.. I already have a project tentatively scheduled for the early spring through C3 that seems to share goals with what you're trying to do here. Also keep me posted if you do end up scheduling a meeting for this coming Saturday 1/21.

Thanks!

Ben

Permalink Reply by Kevin Swanson on January 17, 2012 at 6:43pm

Hello everyone!!

So, needless to say, I am so impressed, inspired and excited by the amount of interest that has been expressed for the project!  Thanks to everyone so far, I have no doubts that this will be a huge success.

This Saturday, Jan 21 at 3pm, I would love to have the first meeting for everyone.  We are still working on getting a location and worst case scenario, it'll be in my living room in Logan.  Everyone will be updated as soon as this is known.

Also, we've just created an email which is chibikebud@gmail.com.  I would really appreciate if all of you could send an email to that address so we can add you to the email list and you'll be able to stay in the loop.  (Of course, at any point, you will be able to opt out and stop receiving any unwanted emails.)

That is all for now!  Please send us an email and keep your schedules free at 3 this Saturday!  Can't wait to get started :)

Kevin

Permalink Reply by Kevin Swanson on January 19, 2012 at 6:30pm

OK!  Location has been set for the meeting!  We're doing3pm, Sat Jan 21 at On The Route Bicycles (3244 N Lincoln Ave).  All those interested should attend, come one come all!

Also, just so we're all on the same page, its gonna be called Bike Buddies rather than Bike Angels.

See ya Saturday and if you cannot attend, just email chibikebud@gmail.com and we'll keep you all up to date!  Thanks :)

Permalink Reply by Kevin Swanson on January 20, 2012 at 3:31am

Correction - Actual address of On the Route is 3144 N Lincoln!  Thanks for catching that Joanne!

Kevin Swanson said:

OK!  Location has been set for the meeting!  We're doing3pm, Sat Jan 21 at On The Route Bicycles (3244 N Lincoln Ave).  All those interested should attend, come one come all!

Also, just so we're all on the same page, its gonna be called Bike Buddies rather than Bike Angels.

See ya Saturday and if you cannot attend, just email chibikebud@gmail.com and we'll keep you all up to date!  Thanks :)

Permalink Reply by Jessica Rio on January 29, 2012 at 4:22pm

I like this idea. Please keep me posted about developments.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 29, 2012 at 5:01pm

So what happened at the meeting?  I saw a flier at the shop today but have gotten no e-mail or seen anything about what went on...

Permalink Reply by Kevin Swanson on January 31, 2012 at 6:14am

Sorry for the lack of updates but we did have a meeting and it was a great start.  We met with a few interested folks and mostly spent our time brainstorming how Bike Buddies is going to work.  Things like websites, a logo, volunteer training and outreach/how we're getting the word out. We have a bunch of great ideas and it looks like a network of committed folks as well!

If you haven't yet, please email chibikebud@gmail.com and we'll get you connected to the Google Group for updates and everything else that will come up!

Permalink Reply by debbie mossburg on February 19, 2015 at 3:22am

ANGELS!......

We need your help to help some children in need....We are right here in Chicago.

We run a nonprofit group called Bike Bald....supporting Children with Cancer Awareness....Everyday I receive at these 10 calls from a family that is needing help...not just $$ in fact 99% is not financial but support, a smile , a card etc...some cases are bit more in need than others.  We have 4 children in great need.   So to help raise the $$ for them we have been accepted as a charity partner in the 2015 Naperville Marathon (1/2 & full) (it is a Boston qualifying marathon)  there is a 1/2 or full marathon you can enter.  This week is charity week which means if you sign up to support Bike Bald you will receive $40 off of registration - this is the largest discount given.  We have children at the age of 3 born with cancer and now paralyzed is in need of a wheel chair, a girl who is 4 with a very rare cancer - military family struggling in need of support etc.  Our fundraising comitment is only $250.  please visit www.BikeBald.com for more information.  

THANK YOU KEVIN!  You are doing a wonderful thing....I hope we can bring angels together to help support these children.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on February 19, 2015 at 3:36am

Would it help to have an "Angels" group? Just thinking that might give you one place to go to start this up again. 

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