Greetings, earthlings! I never fundraise outside of work, but here we are. Some friendly folks from work at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) are joining "Bike the Blizzard," a deranged two-day bicycle scavenger hunt around Detroit. It raises money for Back Alley Bikes, a nonprofit just across Cass Avenue from the DSO's Orchestra Hall. "For over 20 years, Back Alley Bikes' mission has been to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access." I mean, come on. How cool?!
We talk a lot at the DSO about placemaking, and our role as the stewards of a landmark in Midtown. It can all feel very serious. But it is also an incredibly fun privilege to be part of the Detroit landscape in this way! So if you're feeling flush, maybe throw a few dollars into the fundraising pot for Bike the Blizzard. In exchange I will bundle up my child and myself, secure our helmets, strap no fewer than three bright, blinky lights to our rig, and ride around Detroit with joy and determination not unlike those of Pee-Wee Herman.
Thank you!
Bike the Blizzard 2023
Back Alley Bikes, Detroit’s non-profit bicycle cooperative, is gearing up for our 10th annual fundraising event, Bike the Blizzard. We strongly rely on this annual fundraiser to keep our doors open, programs running, and to be the community spot the Detroit bike riders rely on!
Back Alley Bikes is a 501(c)3 non-profit community bike organization and has been promoting cycling advocacy in the Cass Corridor for over 20 years. Our mission is to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access. Through this unprecedented year, we have worked toward this mission by offering a safe, supported environment and resources for DIY open shop space, educational programs, and volunteer training & opportunities. We’ve partnered with community groups to provide over 300 free bikes to kids throughout the city, and helped over 50 community members gain access to bikes for transportation.
This year, we are counting on our community to come out like never before to help us continue to support Detroit’s cycling community. These funds help Back Alley Bikes keep the doors open throughout the winter months and beyond, so we can continue offering support to Detroit’s cycling community in the form of getting free bikes to youth in the city, offering a safe space with resources and knowledge for DIY Open Shop, holding educational classes, and volunteer time, when community members help to build bikes for Detroit youth and Garage Sales.
This fundraising event will occur on February 12 and 13, 2022, where people will ride bikes solo or in small groups to raise money for the co-op. Participants need not cycle in order to be involved. You can find more information about the event here.
Want to learn about our business sponsorships? Volunteer? Have questions? Send us an email. [email protected]
The mission of Back Alley Bikes (BAB) is to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access.
Our vision is a Detroit where all people who want or need bicycles can access the resources to build, maintain and repair them. We provide a safe space for folks to work on bikes, with tools, resources and guidance to help the community to stay safe on the road.
During DIY Open Shop time at BAB we offer stands, tools, parts, resources, guidance and a safe space for all people to work on their bikes.
Wrench, Learn and Give is a series of 6 classes for adults, each focusing on a different part of the bike. At the end of the class series, the bikes are looked over for safety and given to Detroit youth.
Volunteer time at Back Alley Bikes is when kids bikes and Garage Sale bikes are refurbished, among other activities.
Thanks to volunteers (and bike donations!), Back Alley Bikes has been able to provide many great opportunities for community members to get on bikes for low to zero cost. And all bikes for kids are free to Detroit homes!
Your donations are integral to making all this happen. Thank you for your support!