Our Community Bikes is pedalling toward inclusion in Vancouver’s biking scene

Picture a bicycle advertisement. Who’s the cyclist? If you imagined a man, you’re not alone—the cycling industry, like many sports, is male-dominated and often overlooks equity-seeking genders (ESG) and other minority groups.

That’s where Vancouver’s Our Community Bikes steps in.

Founded in 1993, Our Community Bikes (OCB) is a non-profit community bike shop dedicated to making cycling accessible for everyone. Through a series of programs, OCB supports underrepresented communities, including people with disabilities and those facing financial hardship who need affordable transportation.

“[We place] a really great emphasis on providing opportunities and empowering people with tools and knowledge to have the skills and language to work on their bikes themselves,” says Sarah Thomas, OCB’s Executive Director.

Open from Wednesdays to Saturdays, anyone and everyone can drop by to repair their bikes at one of the rental stands. For just $20 an hour, customers get access to all the necessary tools, including an on-site mechanic’s assessment. For bigger projects, individuals can work with a mechanic and gain hands-on learning experience to either repair or further improve their bike.

Each week, about 300 people visit OCB, resulting in roughly 1,600 repairs annually. The latest addition to the organization’s programs is the newly revamped ESG Access Night. On Tuesday evenings, women, trans, and other ESG-identifying individuals can work in a quieter and more supportive environment. The program was recently renamed to include all people of equity-seeking genders.

Alongside DIY repairs, the new-and-improved ESG Access Night program has also expanded to include events like movie and craft nights. Thomas hopes that this expansion encourages community-building while also providing a safe and comfortable space.

“The bike industry is notorious for not being diverse,” she notes. “Part of the work we do and really dedicated to is making sure we’re meeting people where they’re at and breaking down the barriers to provide access.”

While repairs and DIY programs are at the forefront of OCB, the organization also regularly hosts education workshops to encourage potential bike buyers to make informed decisions. Thomas points out that many modern bikes are designed with shorter lifespans to cut manufacturing costs, making them harder to repair.

“Some of the more entry level bikes that are coming out [have] a lower price point on day one when you buy it,” she says. “But the cost of servicing and maintaining that bike is going to be a lot higher and the need to replace it is going to happen sooner.”

A quality, repairable bike can be costly, and OCB combats this problem by providing around 100 refurbished bikes a year through its Pedals for the People program. The program is specifically catered to those in severe financial need, ensuring more people can navigate the city independently. Thomas emphasizes that this accessibility and community remain OCB’s top priorities.

“A slogan that I really love is ‘Everyone deserves to feel the wind in their hair,’” she says. “Because it’s so joyous to be cycling and everyone deserves to have that opportunity and the means of having independent transportation.”