This was supposed to be a post about activities relating to setting up and running the bike workshop space. Unfortunately we do not have one yet. 
We are trying to get our hands on some space on campus in which to set up a bike workshop. Gaining a space on campus would make an enormous difference to what we can do as a bike club. We already have bicycle tools and workstand and things like grease and oil etc, so we could quickly set up a bike repair centre. Without the space, we need somewhere to store the tools and then bring them out for maintenance workshops. We would then hold the workshops outdoors and pack up again when finished. While this is what we will do until we get a space, it makes it much more difficult to organise a workshop and crucially, everything is gone when the workshop is over – there is no way to build a system of keeping spare parts. Any bicycles that are not rideable at the end of a workshop would have to be carried somewhere else afterwards.
Many projects, especially the campus bicycles, require some kind of work space. This way we can collect recycled bicycles and work on them in the workshop until they are ready to be on campus. Working bikes require maintenance. Bicycle breakfasts are easier to run with a space, as we can keep plates and cups there so that all breakfasts are waste-free.
Above all, a space would allow the club to build up. It would be somewhere to meet, organise out of, fix bikes, keep tools safe and facilitate the building of a bike community on campus.
One possible space under Basser college is currently being sought. If you are a resident of Basser, please get in touch. If you can think of other places where we could seek space from, please let me know. If you want to help with the active seeking of space, let me buy you a drink. Otherwise, stay informed by looking at this blog and the Campus Bike Workshop page. Please leave your ideas and comments below so that everyone can read them – Maurice
