Update 4-2-2020

BICAS to re-open for limited emergency repair service on April 15th! Check back for further details soon!

BICAS will remain closed through mid-April, following the recommendations provided for an extended state of emergency across Arizona cities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

These are unprecedented times and we are doing our best to find creative solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic that allow us to continue to support the Tucson community with it’s transportation needs as well as prioritize the health and safety of everyone. Health experts are making it clear that we are in this for the long haul and may need to continue with social distancing practices for the foreseeable future. That said, bicycles are one of the safer modes of accessible transportation we can rely on with limited exposure to transmission from contact with shared surfaces. Essential workers need to get to work and everyone needs to take care of their essential needs. We stand for mobility justice now as much as ever. Cycling is also an activity we can continue to practice on our own or with our household for mental and physical health and joy.

BICAS is planning to open April 15th for emergency essential services. While our building will remain closed to public entry, we will be implementing the strictest of cleaning regimes and we will be offering sliding scale repair services and sales to keep your bike safely running.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we try out this new temporary model. Please check our website for updated hours and service. Thank you.

In Community,

~The BICAS Collective

March 16th, 2020

Dear BICAS Community,

In light of recent developments, BICAS will be closed to the public effective immediately, through at least March 31st. We have painstakingly weighed our role as a community resource against the risk of COVID-19 exposure, especially for the most vulnerable members of our community. Taking into account other closures of similar community spaces both locally and nationally, BICAS is canceling all services and classes at this time, including Community Tools, WTF Workshop, Work Trade, Community Service, Youth Drop In, and sales.

If you are using your unexpected “social isolation” time to clean out your garage/yard, we will still be accepting donations of bikes and parts, but we ask that you drop them off outside the building. If you need a tax receipt, please email bicas@bicas.org.

We have been encouraged in recent days by Tucson’s support and compassion for one another during these uncertain and unprecedented times. We will be posting community resource lists as they become available. If you are in a position to do so, we are seeking monetary donations to help BICAS weather the unexpected expense of this closure. The great majority of our income comes from in-shop sales. BICAS is a qualifying 501 c(3) non-profit organization, allowing Arizona residents to use their AZ Tax Credits with us. We deeply appreciate any financial assistance our community can offer so that we can bounce back after this crisis recedes. Donations may be made here: https://bicas.org/donate/donation-drive/

Thank you, always, for all your continued support.

Sincerely,

The BICAS Collective

Photo of BICAS’ entrance with the door closed.

March 14th, 2020

Dear Tucson Community,

BICAS is committed to supporting our community and is closely monitoring and responding to the rapidly developing situation with COVID-19/corona virus. We will continue to update our response in alignment with recommendations from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pima County Health Department, basing tough decisions on the safety and well being of all, with prioritized concern for our most vulnerable community members.

For the time being, BICAS will remain open to the public for our daily services and all scheduled workshops and classes. We are assessing the situation as it develops and will provide notification to the community of any changes. We are preparing for the possibility of limited services or the need to cancel classes and will honor requests for reimbursement on paid class fees. Thank you for your understanding and shared commitment to supporting our communities.

Additional commitments we are making in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and its impacts on our community include:

• Establishing a COVID-19 BICAS response team to make rapid decisions for necessary action items in the upcoming days
• Intensifying our cleaning regimen and training our staff on increased surface sanitation and handwashing to limit the spread of the virus
• Encouraging staff to stay home at the initial onset of any symptoms of illness
• Limiting events/classes to attendance of less than 25 people

We request the collaboration of our community in carefully considering the potential risks to yourself and those around you; please remember that our community includes those who may be houseless, immunocompromised, elderly, and or have limited access to healthcare. Keeping that in mind, we ask that you follow best practices below:

• Please refrain from visiting BICAS if you or someone in your household is sick.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and limit physical contact with BICAS employees and other customers while sharing our community space.
• Cover your mouth with a flexed elbow or tissues whenever you sneeze or cough.
• Anticipate your bicycle needs and purchase the supplies you may need now in case of a temporary closure.

We appreciate your support and will continue to share ways in which you can support BICAS and other community organizations in the coming days.

Sincerely,

The BICAS Collective

Update March 16th:

Hiring is currently suspended due to shop closure in response to COVID-19.

__________________________________________________________________________

BICAS is always seeking talented, committed candidates. If you think you could thrive in a job that is meaningful, community-driven, challenging, and creative, please see www.bicas.org/jobs for job descriptions and further application instructions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Click the link for details:

Work at BICAS

BICAS mechanics show off some of their favorite tools