Bylaws
Unanimously approved 8/3/08; Bylaws updated November 2025.
Philosophy
Bikerowave exists to empower people through access to tools, knowledge, and community. We believe that everyone, regardless of experience, identity, or background, should have the opportunity to learn bicycle repair and maintenance in a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment.
We are a not-for-profit, all-volunteer, member-run organization committed to sharing skills, fostering mutual respect, and reducing environmental impact. Our goal is to support a more confident, connected, and sustainable cycling community.
Mission Statement
Bikerowave’s primary mission is to empower the public by providing affordable, hands-on education in bicycle repair and maintenance. We offer the tools, space, and support needed for individuals to maintain their own bicycles and build mechanical self-sufficiency. We strive to create a safe and inclusive community space where all people feel welcome, respected, and encouraged to participate. We are a not-for-profit, all-volunteer, member owned organization that strives to be eco-friendly in all aspects of our operation. We believe our mission will lead to a safer, stronger, larger and more inclusive cycling community.
Decision making
Bikerowave adopts a consensus seeking approach to decision making at the board, committee, and general body level. This means that on any issue at any level the decision making entity first seeks* a unanimously supported decision. If, after a genuine effort, unanimous support is not achieved, the body can make a decision with an 80% supermajority. Supermajority refers to 80% of those members who choose to vote, not 80% of all members.
*Definition of Seeks: Consensus seeking; a good faith effort shall be made to amend or modify a proposal to one that can achieve full consensus. Only after that effort has been made may the body proceed to vote on the proposal by a supermajority.
Equal opportunity & inclusivity
Bikerowave does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, origin, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, ability, or political viewpoints (apart from making bicycling accessible). Specifically, in the interest of making bicycling accessible, Bikerowave offers a sliding scale for low income patrons. Bikerowave seeks to be inclusive, actively welcoming new members into the organization.
Not For Profit
Bikerowave is a not-for-profit organization. Bikerowave is not a non-profit organization. No group funds or property may be expended for the exclusive benefit of any member. Bikerowave is collectively owned by the membership. No member can appropriate resources for personal use, and ultimate control of Bikerowave’s resources rests with the membership.
Volunteer and Member Status
As an all volunteer organization, volunteers are the fundamental force at Bikerowave. They hold the power to make decisions, and drive the shop forward. There are two Status types:
Volunteers: make substantial contributions to Bikerowave, but they are not permitted to take part in the governance of Bikerowave to the same extent as Members. A volunteer has the following rights and responsibilities:
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Spends at least 6 hours a calendar month working on BRW’s behalf in approved ways, as set forth in policy
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Adheres to the Volunteer Code of Conduct
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Has access to free shop time when space is available
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May attend Member meetings
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May participate on committees
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Has access to Bikerowave electronic communication such as the forum’s private section, Bikerowave emails, and Discord
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May advertise their awezomeness as a BRW volunteer
Members: consistently commit enough time to be familiar with the organization and can therefore vote and run for offices. Members are the legal members of the Bikerowave Cooperative, Inc. A Member has all the rights & responsibilities of a Volunteer, as well as the following:
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Spends at least 12 hours per calendar month working on BRW’s behalf in approved ways, as set forth in policy
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May store project materials according to current policy of the Inventory Committee
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May vote in decisions of the general body
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May vote for elected positions
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May run for elected positions
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Receives a discount on new and used parts as outlined in policy, and can order from Bikerowave’s parts vendors
Code of Conduct
All Members and Volunteers are required to observe the terms of the Code of Conduct and to act in accordance with the rights and responsibilities of their status. All Members and Volunteers should act to further Bikerowave’s Mission Statement in accordance with Bikerowave’s philosophy, bylaws, and policies. Should they break these terms, action may be taken according to a Disciplinary Procedure as agreed upon by the membership.
Board of Facilitators
Duties, Privileges, and Responsibilities of the Board
The Board of Facilitators consists of five Members of Bikerowave. No individual may hold or run for more than one seat on the Board simultaneously. Once elected, the Board Members choose amongst themselves who will fill necessary roles.
The Board has responsibility for making ad-hoc decisions on behalf of the Membership, when those decisions are either trivial, or noncontroversial, or which must be made in a timely manner and cannot wait until the next Member meeting. Board members are strongly encouraged to consult with the membership when possible to make ad hoc decisions. The Membership may overrule any decision of the Board through the regular voting process. All board decisions and activity must be reported to and or confirmed by the membership at the next scheduled meeting.
The Board is responsible for continuing maintenance of Bikerowave’s health, and its long-term planning. Additionally, the Board exists to provide a primary point of contact for the general public to interact with Bikerowave. Only the Board, or individuals it authorizes, are authorized to speak for or make legal decisions on behalf of Bikerowave.
The Board appoints the Elections Coordinator or Committee (EC) and the Treasurer and Finance Committee. The Board may also create, fill, and disband other positions and committees in furtherance of Bikerowave’s mission. The Board’s appointees must be confirmed by the Membership.
Although the members of the Board are technically not required to contribute 12 hours per month in order to maintain membership, in practice Board members are expected to volunteer on a regular shift or otherwise contribute significantly to Bikerowave.
Elections
Board members are elected to one-year terms with elections occurring every year for all five seats. Before the scheduled beginning of the election, the Board must appoint an Election Coordinator (or Committee) (EC) who agrees not to run in the election. The EC is responsible for the mechanics of running the election. The EC must remain nonpartisan and fair, and may not advocate for one candidate over another. Any Member, other than the EC, may run for a board seat. There are no term limits; any Board member may run for re-election.
Each voter may cast one vote per open seat, and may cast at most one vote per candidate. Elections are to take place by secret ballot. The candidates with the most votes will be seated. In case of a tie, the winner will be decided by a random process, such as flipping a coin or drawing spokes.
Annual elections begin at the January Member Meeting. If the Board has not appointed an Election Committee (EC) by then, an agenda item is automatically added for the Membership to do so. If any member wishes to challenge the Board’s choice of EC, an agenda item is also added for a Membership vote.
If a board seat becomes vacant, a special election begins as soon as possible. If less than 90 days remain before the next regular election, it will be filled at the next regular election instead. If multiple seats are vacant, the EC may choose to hold a single special election for all open seats.
Following the Member Meeting, the Election Coordinator (or Committee) publishes a list of eligible Members. Only these Members may vote or run in the election. Once published, the EC announces the election schedule and opens nominations.
Any eligible Member may nominate themselves or another Member in writing or via the designated forum. Once seconded, the nominee becomes a candidate. Candidates may submit statements outlining their qualifications and goals, which may be published on the forum and, upon request, by the EC.
Candidates may withdraw any time before nominations close. Nominations must remain open for at least six full days.
To begin voting, the EC must:
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Publish the list of candidates,
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Publish candidate statements (all requested, and others at the EC’s discretion)
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Provide a functioning voting system,
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Direct Members to vote.
Voting must remain open for at least five full days. The EC will tabulate and publish the results as soon as possible.
At the next regular Member Meeting, an agenda item is automatically added to seat the new Board Members. If the Membership identifies irregularities or unfairness, they may vote to void the election. The EC must then schedule a special election for all affected seats.
If a conflict arises between the election schedule and the required nomination or voting durations, the schedule will be extended to comply. Elections will not be canceled or restarted solely due to scheduling issues.
Termination of Board Membership
An individual’s status as a member of the Board terminates when any of the following occur:
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When they voluntarily quit by so informing the rest of the Board
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By unanimous vote of all other members of the Board
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By decision of the membership
Board Meetings
The board is encouraged to meet in-person at least once a quarter and to maintain regular communication through digital platforms and any decisions made need to be reported to membership at the next member meeting.
Any meeting must have its time and location made known to the member body two weeks beforehand. The meeting agenda will be announced one week prior to the meeting. Members may request agenda items. The minutes will be distributed one week after the meeting. In case the meeting is on an emergency basis it must be listed immediately after the decision to hold the meeting. In such cases the need for a meeting on short notice must be approved by a 2/5 vote of the board. Bylaws may not be altered at any meeting with less than two weeks notice.
4/5 board members must be present for a quorum in any board meeting. Board members may attend a board meeting electronically.
Volunteers can attend any meeting of the board. Non-members may not attend unless the board votes otherwise. The board may on rare occasions need to meet privately to discuss disciplinary, legal, or sensitive matters. The board should do this only when absolutely necessary.
Member Meetings
Members can attend any meeting of the member body. Non-members may attend if approved by a supermajority (80%) of the members present.
1/3 of active Members must be present for a quorum at a meeting of the general body. Members may participate by teleconference, but only as practicable.
Any meeting must have its time and location made known to the member body two weeks beforehand. The meeting agenda will be announced one week prior to the meeting. Members may request agenda items. The minutes will be distributed one week after the meeting. In case the meeting is on an emergency basis it must be listed immediately after the decision to hold the meeting. In such cases the need for a meeting on short notice must be approved by a 2/5 vote of the board. Bylaws may not be altered at any meeting with less than two weeks notice.
Any member, committee, or the Board may make proposals for new policy or amendments to the bylaws at a regular member meeting. Proposals must be submitted to the agenda at least one week before the meeting in a yes/no form. The usual 80% supermajority of voters will be required to pass the policy.
Finance Committee
The Board nominates the Treasurer and the treasurer forms a Finance Committee. The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee. The Treasurer is responsible for finances. The Treasurer monitors all expenditures, signs all checks, files all required tax returns, and monitors all bank accounts, and provides financial information to the board upon request. The Treasurer is responsible for the preparation and presentation, at a member meeting, of an Annual Financial Report at the close of each fiscal year. The Treasurer can delegate responsibilities to other members of the Finance Committee.
The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures and the annual budget with the other Board members. The Board must approve the budget, and all routine operating expenditures must be within the budget. The Budget shall be presented to the Members at a member meeting at least once a year.
Bylaws Annual Review