Since the 1^st of July, QC Bike Collective has had 773 visits by over 400 unique individuals.

The people who visit QC use their bikes for many different reasons, but they all share a common need for the services of a community bike shop. Most need to buy or fix a bike, inexpensively, and many need a chance to work together and learn. Every time our doors are open, more bikes are fixed, stronger connections are made and the collective’s work is more meaningfully shared.

QC Bike is rapidly facing a new challenge: securing new space and the means to pay for it. NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire has generously donated use of the space at 373 Union Street since we opened, but they need it back before long. It is imperative that, in the coming year, we move to, and have the ability to afford, an adequate space.

Can you help?

It is fair to say that many really count on QC Bike Collective. It is our goal to be an organization that our community can rely upon so that they can in turn rely on their bicycle.

Sonny England is one of the many individuals that QC Bike has helped in our short but impactful history. It had been more than 25 years since Sonny had ridden a bike. Without a license, a bike was his best option, but he was apprehensive. He has limited use of his right hand and was understandably concerned about finding an appropriate bike he could ride safely.

Sonny first came to QC, in February, looking for a bike to make it to work and medical appointments. He left that day on a loaner bike personally customized with modified brake and shifter levers. Two weeks later he came back and bought that bike for $30. All told, he has had four bikes (all from and customized at QC for his use) in less than a year: one was stolen and two more were upgraded through our trade-in plan. He comes to the shop routinely and works with the mechanics to keep his bike working properly.

Sonny started riding a bike because he had to and now he loves to! He reports that it’s good for his health and his state of mind. He says that he’s glad to share his story because of the importance QC has for him and the community as a whole.

To ensure that QC Bike continues to be a reliable, supportive organization in service to the Manchester community, we need your help.

Cash donations can be made through our fiscal agent, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire:

Online: qcbike.org/how-to-help/

Find link to NWSNH, then designate “QC Bike Collective Project”

Mail:  Checks can be written to NWSNH and addressed to NWSNH, PO Box 3968, Manchester, NH, 03105, be sure to write: “QC Bike” in the memo line

In person: Come by the shop at 373 Union Street. Check the calendar, here – qcbike.org/calendar/

Please call me if you have any questions or would like to learn more about QC Bike’s plans, projects and how you can help in the coming year. Thank you and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Abby Easterly

603.493.1720

abby@qcbike.org

QC Bike Collective Event on Oct 26^th at Great North Aleworks  5 to 7 PM was created to celebrate and share our news and plans. Let’s get the room filled! The last year has been great due to volunteers, donors, partner organizations, staff and participants at every level.

We want to see you there!

2016 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

New England Grassroots Environmental Fund  Supported QC with a Seed grant, a Grow grant and the prestigious KingFisher Award.

NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire  Provides QC with space in center city for $0 rent and is QC’s fiscal sponsor.

Manchester Health Department  Organized and helped fund the Earn- a-Bike program at Gossler and Beech Street schools that allowed us to provide 162 bike packages to 5^th graders in 2016. Anticipate needing 180 packages for 2017.

Granite United Way  GUW helped fund the school Earn-a-Bike program in 2016 and committed to funding the 2017 program.

Manchester Police Department  Changed policy in December 2015 to deliver all unclaimed and confiscated bicycles to QC.

Manchester Planning and Community Development Department  Approved funding for an intensive Build-a-Bike program for nine individuals through the Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

John H. Sununu Youth Services Center.  Helped plan and secure funding for a Build-a-Bike program for youth to gain skills and a bike through on-site participation at QC with SYC staff support. This program is starting in mid-October and from what we learned at Bike!Bike! (North American bike collective conference) is pretty unique. Many well established bike collectives haven’t been able to get a program like this going.

NH Charitable Foundation   Awarded QC an Express grant to support ongoing open shop services at QC.

Queen City Rotary  Supported QC in both 2015 and 2016 with grant $ for tubes, tires, helmets, locks and lights for neighborhood youth at open shop times at QC.

Central NH Bicycling Coalition  Provided a grant for volunteer training in December 2015.

Recycled Cycles (Goodwill of Northern New England)  Helped fulfill the Earn-a-Bike requirements and provided QC with many unfinished bikes to boost the number we have available to work on and get back into the community.

S & W Sports  Huge resource to QC for materials and tools at cost and a wealth of information and advice (when asked!).

Photography by Tony Attardo  Tony has created a photo documentary of his experience with QC Bike Collective. Prints with be for sale at the event.

“One of the city’s bona fide bright spots”

Video of bus drivers getting a taste of what it is like on a bicycle. Bike Manchester recently hosted a showing of the movie Bike vs Cars.

At QC we can help YOU work on your bike with our tools. If you want a “drop off tune up”, support a local bike shop. We are lucky to have great ones here in south/central NH.