Who we are The newly established Kirksville Bike Co-op is a student-run, university supported program/facility at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. The Co-op was created in response to the small town, rural location that is great for biking as recreation and transportation, but had no services to support cyclists. The nearest bike shop is 90 miles away, leaving Wal-Mart as the only place to get a very small selection of tools and parts and no mechanical help. Mission Statement The Kirksville Bike Co-op is a service and educational organization committed to community involvement through cultivating the development, use, and promotion of sustainable transportation. The keystone of our service hinges on providing a space where bike culture and knowledge is facilitated through both independent experimentation and collaborative hands-on discovery in a safe, supportive learning environment. Campus objectives ➢ Increase bike usage on campus, therefore decreasing the need for parking spaces and improving air quality. ➢ Establish a place where students may learn bike maintenance skills and obtain quality replacement parts. ➢ Provide communal bikes for student usage, available through the residential halls. ➢ Create meaningful volunteer opportunities for students, increasing student involvement on campus and within the Kirksville community. ➢ Encourage an enjoyable form of exercise and promote healthy lifestyle habits. Community objectives ➢ Offer a much needed service in Kirksville. Currently the nearest bike repair shop is 90 miles away and the only place to get even a limited selection of parts is at Wal-Mart. ➢ Encourage students to explore Kirksville, specifically the downtown area, and value their “home away from home”. Attachment to the community will increase the number of students who remain here over the weekends, academic breaks, and summer semesters. ➢ Increase the feasibility of affordable transportation for students and community members. ➢ Offer programming and services to the community (particularly the school-age audience), reinforcing the link between the university and the community while building healthy living behaviors. ➢ Cut city green house gas emissions by exchanging car trips for bike rides. Bike co-op operational description Mechanics are trained through an apprentice program that pairs head mechanics with volunteer mechanics. Once an individual can demonstrate proficiency in all designated areas, they are promoted to a head mechanic position. As volunteer staff allows, we have open hours at set, advertised times. Students and community members are welcome to drop in, work on their own bikes, or learn skills by working on a Co-op bike. Small parts and safety equipment are available for purchase at below-industry prices. Members also have the option to place special orders through the Co-op account, with a percentage of the wholesale distributor price going to the Co-op. Periodically, shop volunteers/mechanics will offer more comprehensive workshops. Programming for Truman students and the community is based on the interest and skills of the current co-op members. Access to shop equipment and all of the other Co-op services are free with a co-op membership ($20/year for community members, free for students).