Starting Monday June 1 the Bike Dump will be bringing back Ladies and Trans Night. It will be happening every Monday throughout the summer from 6-9 in the evening. It is an awesome night for just women and transgendered people to stop by and learn how to fix up their bike with the help of other women and transgenderd mechanics. If you have maybe been shy about dropping by before, now is the time to come check things out! If you have more questions or would like to volunteer on this night you can email Anneliese at annabanana-14@hotmail.com.

The Bike Dump offers drop-in workshops at our space by donation on different repair and other bike topics.  All workshops are at 7pm.  Here’s the summer 2009 schedule:

• Wednesday, May 20th — How to carry things on your bike: baskets, bags and beyond — This will be a collaborative workshop where many different ideas will be shared and discussed. Materials and detailed information for some DIY projects will be available.
• Wednesday, June 17th — Tires and tubes — This workshop will cover: the differences between tire sizes and tread patterns; identifying valve types; understanding tire pressure; removing and installing a tire without damaging it; and patching a hole in an inner-tube. You’ll never be stranded by a flat tire again!
• Wednesday, June 24th — Hubs — Adjusting and replacing the ball-bearings in front and rear hubs
• Wednesday, July 15th — Shifting Part 1 — Adjusting friction shifters and derailleurs
• Wednesday, July 22nd — Shifting Part 2 — Adjusting index shifters and derailleurs
• Wednesday, August 19th — Brakes Part 1 — Adjusting center-pull and side-pull brakes
• Wednesday. August 26th — Brakes Part 2 — Adjusting cantilever and v-brakes

The City of Winnipeg and the U of W’s Centre for Sustainable Transportation are handing out GPS tracking devices to cyclists this summer to help determine the best areas in the city to build cycling infrastructure. Any cyclist who rides more than once per week can sign up to bring the tracking device with along with them on all bike trips they take for two weeks.

This could be a good chance to get your daily commuter route noticed by the city, but they are also notorious for commissioning studies and not following up on them. To sign up for the program call 988-7182 or write ottocycle@uwinnipeg.ca.

The Winnipeg Free Press published an article on the Dump today. Here’s an excerpt

“Unlike other cycling shops in town, the repair stations are front and centre so the Bike Dump’s volunteers can teach their customers how to get their two-wheeler back on the road. Kids without a bike to call their own can pick out a partial version either hanging from the ceiling or leaning up against a wall — provided they come in with an adult — and have it built up with spare parts until it’s ride-worthy.”