the FLAT bike collective

Flat closed tonight, Monday May 5

bikecollective — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:16:32 +0000

The Flat will be closed tonight. Next shift will be tomorrow, Tuesday, from 5-7:30. While we try to keep the shop open during the summer, we are short on volunteers and you should check our blog or facebook page to see when we’re open.

The Flat Outing for 2013

bimo.chan — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 02:16:22 +0000

We’d like to invite you all to the Flat Outing this Saturday. It’s a get together, visioning session, and potluck all in one. There’ll be some free food, but bring what you want to share. Similar with drinks.

We plan to begin this at 6 in the evening but if you can’t make it then, feel free to show up later. The address of the location is below. This is happening rain or shine.

You do not need to have volunteered at the flat and bringing other bike enthusiast friends is welcome. All past, present, future, potential and also non- volunteers are welcome.

It’s gonna be fun.

Venue: Coop sur Généreux, 4518 Avenue Papineau (NOT at the flat)
April 13th. Saturday. 6 pm.

Campus Crops Garden Opening, April 3

bikecollective — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:14:00 +0000

Our friends from Campus Crops asked us to inform you that they’re having their official garden opening this week:

“Campus Crops’ student-run garden is opening for the season on April 3rd*. Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to come to any (or all!) of the four weekly gardening sessions happening throughout April: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5-7, and Saturday 1-5. The garden is located behind the McGill School of Environment @ 3534 University St. If you want to learn more, there are also weekly meetings held on Tuesday @ 5:30 in Burnside 305. Hope to see you there!

* weather permitting “

Montreal Urban Cycling Week / Semaine du vélo urbain 2013/05/13-18

bikecollective — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:09:12 +0000

The Coalition Vélo Montréal/Montreal Bike Coalition is a newly founded group to help improve urban cycling in the Greater Montreal area. One of their first larger activities will be a week of discussions, themed rides, and other events to bring together the many Montreal groups and citizens that are interested in making Montreal an even better place to get around by bike. Below is their call for proposals:

How can we collectively create the conditions to make urban cycling flourish in Greater Montreal ?

The Montreal Bike Coalition invites you to propose activities for May 13^th to 17^th, 2013 which engage with this question.

This series of events is part of the Coalition’s launch, and will inform the first edition of the Montreal Urban Cycling Summit, which is taking place on Saturday May 18^th, 2013. The Summit is open to anyone, and has the goal of summing up the weeks’ discussions and developing them into an action plan to support the growth of urban cycling in Greater Montreal.

Send us your proposition!

The proposed activities must take part during the week of May 13th to 17^th, 2013 and be organized by the groups themselves, though the Coalition will provide support to and promotion for organizers.

The call is open to all individuals and organizations within the Montreal region.

There are no restrictions on the type of activities that can be proposed: conferences, public debates, panel discussions, workshops, movie projections, cycling infrastructure visits, themed rides – let your imagination roll!

The proposals must be short and simple (300 words maximum).

Some events may be selected for reporting based on their capacity to engage with the question of the Summit: How can we collectively create the conditions to make urban cycling flourish in Greater Montreal ?

Please send your activity’s proposal and any questions to info@coalitionvelomontreal.org.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: APRIL 5^th 2013

Comment créer ensemble les conditions afin que le vélo urbain fleurisse dans le Grand Montréal ?

La Coalition vélo de Montréal invite la communauté à proposer des activités élaborées autour de cette question du 13 au 17 mai 2013.

Cette série d’évènements s’inscrit dans le cadre du lancement de la Coalition, et servira de base à la première édition du Sommet du vélo urbain de Montréal qui se tiendra le 18 mai 2013. Le Sommet a pour but de faire la synthèse des échanges de la semaine et proposer un plan d’action pour le développement du vélo urbain dans le Grand Montréal.

Envoyez-nous votre proposition !

Les activités proposées doivent avoir lieu dans la semaine du 13 au 17 mai 2013 et être produites de manière autonome par les organisations, alors que la Coalition fournira du soutien aux organisateurs et de la promotion pour mener à bien vos évènements.

L’appel est ouvert à tous les individus et groupes de la région montréalaise.

Il n’y a aucune restriction sur le type d’activités pouvant être proposées : conférences, débats publics, panels de discussion, ateliers, projections de films, visites d’infrastructures cyclables, balades thématiques – laissez rouler votre imagination !

Les propositions doivent être simples et courtes (maximum 300 mots).

Certains évènements pourront être mandatés d’effectuer un rapport en fonction de leur capacité à susciter des échanges sur la question du Sommet : Comment créer ensemble les conditions afin que le vélo urbain fleurisse dans le Grand Montréal ?

Veuillez envoyer votre proposition et toute question à info@coalitionvelomontreal.org.

DATE LIMITE DES PROPOSITIONS : 5 AVRIL 2013

Report from the MYOG and bike touring workshops

bikecollective — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:31:36 +0000

Two weeks ago we had two bike touring related workshops, one to build your own ultra-light camp stove out of soda cans, and one general bike touring get-together. The stove building workshop was fully booked out, and we’re sorry if you couldn’t get a spot. However, building the stoves is not that difficult and doesn’t require many tools. So if you couldn’t come to the workshop you should check out these very detailed instructions by Mark Jurey, the inventor of the design.

The tedious process of slowly cutting off the soda cans

In the end everyone at the workshop was able to finish at least the main part of the stove and some people have s tested it.

After the workshop a few of us got together and talked about plans for bike touring this year. Many questions were asked and answered, we looked at maps, and discussed about the many different ways of bike touring — from several month-long fully self-supported tours to short overnight trips close to where you live. If you’re interested in touring, feel free to stop by at the Flat, as we have some books, maps, and, of course, knowledgable volunteers.

Women, Trans and Queer Folks Night, Wednesday, March 13th, 5pm // Soirée femme, personnes trans et queers, mecredi le 13 mars, à 17h

bikecollective — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:27:58 +0000

Les soirées femme, personnes trans et queers sont le deuxième mercredi du mois. Au flat, on sait que tout le monde n’est pas confortable à l’atelier du vélo. Donc, on a une soirée qui a comme but d’aider des gens a devenir plus confortables à l’atelier. Alors venez au Flat le 13 mars de 17h à 20h, et on vous enseignera comment réparer votre vélo.

Our monthly WTQ is on Wednesday, March 13th from 5 to 8pm. At the Flat, we try to create a less oppressive space. We wish everyone was comfortable in a bike shop, but it just ain’t true. If you are female, trans and/or queer and don’t feel comfortable coming into the shop on regular nights, come by for our WTQF night. We’ll show you how to fix your bike so that you feel more comfortable coming to the shop during our regular open hours.

Bike touring and MYOG workshop March 1

bikecollective — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:04:47 +0000

Spring is still some time away, but now is a good time to plan for your awesome summer bike tours and to make your own camping equipment. To help you out with this, the Flat will be hosting two workshops on March 1.

Penny stove in action

1. Making your own camping alcohol stove: Harald will show how to make a very efficient and lightweight out of soda cans. This is a hands-on workshop and at the end of it you will have your own soda can stove. The number of participants is limited and there are very few spots left. Time for this is Friday, March 1, 17:30 at the Flat. If you’re interested, please send an email to kliems@gmail.com. First come, first serve. Cost for the workshop is 5 dollars to cover the Flat’s expenses.

2. Touring get together/skill share: Some of us already have been bike touring and some of us would like to — so let’s get together and share experiences, advice, and in general have a good time. Bring your favorite piece of touring gear, maps, photos, whatever. The get-together will happen right after the workshop, i.e. Friday, March 1, 19:00. Number of participants is not limited and the event is free, but please nonetheless RSVP to kliems@gmail.com and let me know if you have any prior bike touring experience.

Women, Trans and Queer Folks Night, Wednesday, February 13th, 5pm // Soirée femme, personnes trans et queers, mecredi le 13 février, à 17h

bikecollective — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:30:39 +0000

Les soirées femme, personnes trans et queers sont le deuxième mercredi du mois. Au flat, on sait que tout le monde n’est pas confortable à l’atelier du vélo. Donc, on a une soirée qui a comme but d’aider des gens a devenir plus confortables à l’atelier. Alors venez au Flat le 13 février de 17h à 20h, et on vous enseignera comment réparer votre vélo.

Our monthly WTQ is on Wednesday, February 13th from 5 to 8pm. At the Flat, we try to create a less oppressive space. We wish everyone was comfortable in a bike shop, but it just ain’t true. If you are female, trans and/or queer and don’t feel comfortable coming into the shop on regular nights, come by for our WTQF night. We’ll show you how to fix your bike so that you feel more comfortable coming to the shop during our regular open hours.

Wheel building workshop postponed (again!)

bikecollective — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:53:39 +0000

This was originally scheduled for December 7th and was postponed to December 14th. Since our supplier is out of spokes in the length we need, this workshop is being moved to the end of January. Check back for more info!

Winter break at the Flat

bikecollective — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:14:42 +0000

Despite the winter weather, the Flat continues to be open during our regular hours. However, the Shatner Building will be closed from December 21 to January 7. This means Thursday the 20th will be the last December shift at the Flat and we will back on Monday, January 7. Enjoy the winter break and keep riding safely!