The Road to Detroit is a collective effort that will only be possible through the contributions of the Chicago community and our allies who believe in the power of biking for social change. Whether or not you’re able to ride with us, you can contribute to the tour by donating resources, connecting us with other allies, and sending your love and inspiration!

DONATE RESOURCES

Donate bicycles and bike tools/accessories! Your contributions will help riders make their way from Chicago to Detroit. In particular, we are looking for:

  • Bicycles in good working order – either road bikes or hybrids with at least 10 speeds, preferably more, and a place to attach a rear rack.
  • Bike tools! Including bike pumps, patch kits, allen keys, spoke wrenches, patch kits, cone wrenches, chain whips, anything you’ve got!
  • Bike parts – tires, tubes, spokes, handlebar tape, racks, grips, mirrors, lights, water bottle cages, seats, and more.
  • Camping gear – suitable for carrying on a bicycle, such as stoves, light weight cooking gear, tarps, tents, sleeping bags
  • Individual gear – waterproof jackets and rain pants, bike shorts and other bike gear

As much as possible, we will leave any and all donated items in Detroit to contribute to a thriving bike culture there – see below!

If you have bike gear to donate to the Road to Detroit, please email biketheroadtodetroit@gmail.com.

The Sustainability Committee of the Detroit Local Organizing Committee is calling for donations of bicycles, bike parts and tools. Their “goal is to collect 5,000 bicycles for distribution around the city during and after the Social Forum June 22-26, 2010. Visitors and residents will use the bicycles to tour the city and transport themselves to workshops. We want to create an exciting bicycle presence in our city to show that another world is possible. What will we do with the bikes after the Social Forum is over? Your donated parts, tools, and bicycles will be used to help transform our city. We are in the process of targeting churches, community groups, youth groups, and potential businesses that have the capacity and desire to use bicycles for their programs. The bicycles and parts you donate to the Social Forum will be used by these groups after June 2010. If you are in Michigan, we will be collecting bicycles in Michigan on February 17th, 2010. If you aren’t you can either ship parts/tools/bikes or bring them with you when you come to Detroit. Please email ussfbikes@gmail.com for details.

CONNECT WITH ALLIES

Do you live in one of the communities along our route to Detroit, or do you know people who do?   We’re looking for community activists, cyclists, merrymakers, rabble rousers, and anyone else who wants to be part of our journey to Detroit.  Please click here to tell us what kinds of connections you want to make.