A word from the board president
Looking back on 2024
We’re taking a look back at 2024 in the next few weeks – classes, students, donors, events, and more. It’s interesting to pull back and view things from a distance, rather than being right up in it – I often wonder how, exactly, we’re making an impact.
2024 was our first full year with three instructors and the number of classes and one-on-one students reflects that. We grew attendance at the South Inglewood Bicycle Festival and supported the South Inglewood Community Center’s summer camp transportation program. Consistent group rides with Friends of Shelby plus two special all ages ride events (Popsicle the Park and Hot Chocolate the Park) saw a fantastic number of participants plus consistent core ridership.
Two big successes for Bike Fun in 2024 were finding a physical location at Cosecha Community to move into and acquiring a cargo van for bicycle and equipment movement (classes, donations, pickups, etc).
Our brick-and-mortar location allows us to have a consistent spot for bicycle donations, classes, and bicycle refurbishment. Having a cargo van is a game changer for larger events like the Bicycle Festival, Bicycle Revival, and the All Ages Learn to Ride series with Walk Bike Nashville. It will also allow us to reach further into the outer ring counties of Middle Tennessee for events and classes.
This year saw an increase in bicycle donations and financial contributions – both critical to sustain a growing non-profit. We are not grant-funded – our income is from services like classes, lessons, and guided rides plus financial donations and anything generated from bicycle or accessory sales (those are minimal and rare in comparison). We’ve been fortunate to have excellent consultations in the past with sharp fundraising and marketing volunteers, but unfortunately have been unable to fully implement their recommendations. Bike Fun will need to have a more specific strategy in 2025 for fundraising as well as someone to champion its execution.
In 2025 we anticipate migrating to a different event scheduler and payment system as well as a different e-newsletter system.
Other goals for 2025 include recruitment of additional board members, Spanish language instruction, pursuit of grant funded opportunities, providing rewarding volunteer opportunities, and revival of the FTW/women-only ride series.
2025 class and lesson scheduling
In the past few years our bicycle skills classes have launched in March, when the weather is a little more predictable; this will remain the case for 2025.
Indoor bicycle maintenance classes will be scheduled in mid February and early March. We will be capping student attendance at these classes at 4.
Where possible, we will work with one-on-one students (with priority given to ongoing students) when weather permits.
I’m looking out over the landscape of 2025 and it looks incredible from here. Being able to help humans of all ages fulfill their dreams of independent movement is even more critical during uncertain times. Bike Fun is ready to help get folks in Middle Tennessee out there with a joyful confidence supported by knowledge and understanding. Thank you for being along for the ride.