Spring Updates
- New parts will be available for purchase at Different Spokes.
- Annual membership fee’s are now in effect. See Membership
- We will now be open for on Saturdays.
Membership
- Cost
- Annual membership will be $50 for individuals and $80 for families. This fee allows us to maintain service delivery. If this fee is a barrier, please visit us to discuss alternatives.
- If you completed the member registration survey within the last year, your membership may still be active. Visit us to confirm your membership status.
- Members can:
- Book and use DIY BikeWrx stations
- Access our inventory of used parts
- Attend Bike Hub rides
- Take out a bikes from the Bike Library
- Swap or take children’s bikes as they become available.
- Attend workshops
- Exceptions
- Joining a ride, and accessing the bike library to take or swap a kids only requires you to have completred the 2024 Membership Survey and are not required to pay a membership fee and will not be assigned a membership card.
- Anyone can purchase new parts
Bike Library & Swap
Only Members can take out bikes from the Bike Library. We require our bikes to be locked up securely, so if you don’t have a quality lock, you rent one from us. Deposits for bikes & locks are generally between $100 -$200. Deposits vary based on the quality of the bike and the new parts that have been installed during refurbishment. We do not hold bikes and cannot guarantee a specific bike’s availability. Bike Library inventory is dependant on local donations, and we never buy used bikes. If you’re interested in renting a bike, you must come and visit Different Spokes during our hours of operation. For the full deposit to be returned to the bicycle renter, the following conditions must be met.
- An exit survey has been completed by the member renting the bike(s).
- The bike is returned in good working condition. If a bike has minor pre-existing conditions, we will make note of it at the time of rental on the agreement.
- The lock and its matching key are returned.
- The bike is returned within the period defined on the rental agreement.
Members who wish to keep the bike are welcome to do so. After the rental period lapses, simply keep the bike. This service isn’t intended for short-term rentals, but members are welcome to return the bike any time within the rental period. Members can swap out their bike for another in the library. If the deposits vary, the difference will be charged to the member. If there is an issue within the first two weeks of rental, we’ll take care of any repairs.
If the returned bike isn’t in similiar condition compared to when it was rented, the cost of labour/parts will be reduced from the total deposit. Alternatively, members can bring their bike to a repair shop and have someone else repair the bike, or repair it themselves at Different Spokes and only be charged for parts installed.
If you’re looking to rent out a bike but cost is a barrier, please visit us at Different Spokes during our hours of operation and we’ll discuss alternatives.
Swap
If you seek to use the bike library to take out or swap a kids bike, you must complete the membership survey, and email sonia@bikebrampton.ca with the desired size of bike. This service is availble for children who ride bikes with wheels sized 24″ and smaller. This program is subject to our availability of bikes. While we will try and accomodate colour requests for requested sizes, it is not always possible.
Privacy & the Membership Survey
We will not share your personal information with anyone. Identifiable information about you may only be shared with mentors and program administrators from Brampton Bike Hub and Caledon Bike Hub. Non-identifiable, aggregated data (without any names) will be shared with staff from Region of Peel (which provides funding for this program), and may be included in reports and promotions for the program.
Parts and tools available at Different Spokes
Parts available at Different Spokes may only be used and/or installed at the Bike Hub. Using Different Spokes facilities, parts, and tools for profit is not allowed. This means no building bikes or buying parts to sell to others, or charging others for work you’re doing while at Different Spokes.
Respect the Hours
If you cannot make your appointment, please reschedule or cancel at least one day before your appointment. If you show up late or miss your appointment, it wastes time slots for others. It also results in us having to turn away walk-ins that could have benefited from our expertise.
Bike hub administrators may cancel appointments under the following conditions:
– Member did not adhere to the Code of Conduct (see below).
– Member missed or arrived late for appointment(s) without cancelling or rescheduling in advance.
– Member scheduled multiple appointments without describing the work needing to be done.
Members do their own work (DIY)
Mechanics and volunteers are available to provide support, advice and explanatory instruction. Actual work is to be done by the member. Working with the mechanic, members are responsible for assessing their ability level relative to their project, including the time required to complete it. Staff and/or volunteers cannot fix your bike for you.
Volunteers advise within the limits of their individual abilities
Volunteers are of varying skill levels and defer to the Lead Mechanic or simply decline guidance on any area in which they are not experienced. This means that Different Spokes may not have the tools, parts or experience to help you with your project. There are some great for-profit bike shops in the area that may be able to help you if we’re at a loss!
Repairs are not guaranteed
Both new and used parts are available for sale at Different Spokes. We can not guarantee that we will attempt (or guarantee) all (or any) repairs. Bicycle repairs can be complicated and time-consuming. Brampton Bike Bike Hub and Caledon Bike Hub will approach repairs on a case-by-case basis, and reserve the right to turn some repairs/projects away. Volunteers and/or staff may make purchase recommendations, but there is no guarantee that this part will work or be appropriate for your bike. Please do your own research for any purchase decisions.
Specific parts or accessories may not be available at Different Spokes
We encourage you to bring in a part you wish to install or replace on your bike. We do have a small inventory of parts but cannot guarantee that we have the parts you require. Local sources for parts include: Mobile Pro, Highlands, Decathlon, Sport Check, Canadian Tire, etc.
Footwear Safety
Closed-toed shoes (ideally non-slip) are encouraged for working with tools and machinery.
Code of Conduct
Different Spokes is committed to maintaining a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere and requires everyone using the space to agree to the following:
- Be kind, respectful and courteous of all people regardless of gender, age, ability, race, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Be respectful of someone’s pronouns, and if uncertain please ask which pronouns they use.
- Refrain from harassment or violence of or by staff, volunteers, or Bike Hub users. Harassment includes but is not limited to the following: verbal or physical abuse, deliberate intimidation targeting individuals in a manner that makes them feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or afraid; teasing or ridicule.
- Refrain from using alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
- Respect others, their personal belongings, and their personal spaces.
- Be respectful towards the space by returning tools to their designated homes, leaving workstations neat and tidy after finished, disposing of waste in the appropriate bin, and leaving the washroom and other areas clean.
Different Spokes has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the items listed above. If there is a breach in the Code of Conduct, staff reserves the right to respond in a manner they deem appropriate, which may include, but is not limited to: being asked to leave, permanent bans, and/or referral to external authorities.
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