SPOKES: UVic's unique bike upcycling and loan program

SPOKES is a unique bicycle upcycling and loan program where volunteers give new life to and use of old bikes. Since 2003, SPOKES has been innovatively diverting waste, improving community health and taking action on climate change.

Our goal is to make it easier for students, faculty and staff at UVic to get around on two wheels! UVic community members can borrow SPOKES bikes at cheap rates. Check out for their most recent activity.

Workshops

SPOKES frequently hold workshops on bike maintenance and repair. Check back on this page or follow us on , Instagram, or for updated information on dates, topics, and times!

More info on cycling at UVic

Get to know SPOKES

Services for 2019

Bike loans

Want to cycle but don't have a bike? The refurbished bike loan program is available to UVic students, faculty and staff on a first come, first serve basis.

The concept is that we loan you a basic refurbished bike and you take care of it as if it were your own. All users are expected to put time, love, money and TLC into the loan bike so that when it is return to us, it can be up-cycled to another person!

Bike loans are $40 - half of which is a donation to SPOKES and the other half is a refundable deposit payable when the bike is returned in working condition with lock (and key!). Bike loans are open in terms of length. You can keep it as long as you need it.

The loan program is subject to availability and includes a lock.

Bike rentals

Need a bike for a short period of time? SPOKES has a supply of nicer refurbished bikes, often with a few extra features, available for short term rent of up to three weeks. The fee is $10 per day or $50 for seven days with payment due in advance. Bike rentals are great for weekend rides, in town guests or short term uses like conferences. Bike rentals are open to students, faculty, staff and campus guests.

Gear and helmet sales

SPOKES offers a variety of new but affordable safety equipment including helmets and lights in a range of prices. It is important to us that you get around safely on a bike!

Bike repair assistance

SPOKES is not a bike shop. As such, the first priority is the refurbishment and recycling of SPOKES bicycles. SPOKES recipients can bring their bikes to the shop for basic repairs and adjustments for cash donations.

For personal bikes, volunteers are happy to provide a quick assessment and can direct you to local bike shops for service. SPOKES does not lend out its tools - basic tools can be found at the self repair station (or bike kitchen) in the Campus Bike Centre.

Bike loan returns

Do you have a SPOKES bike on loan? You can return your bike and lock during regular work party hours. For extraordinary circumstances, you can email  to make arrangements for a return outside of normal work party hours.

Bike sales

Looking to purchase a refurbished bike? We occasionally have a few vintage bikes or extra stock available for sale. Prices range from $50 to $200. All sales are subject to availability. We encourage you to check out used bike shops like Recyclistas and Bicycleitis.

Bike donations

If you have a used, adult sized bike to donate to SPOKES, please drop it off during regular work party hours or email to make arrangements for pick up.

Hours

Here are the hours for January 2019. We are open 7 days a week this month! You can also Like SPOKES Facebook page to get up-to-date info at your fingertips.

January

Sunday: 4:30 - 6:00 pm (20th, 27th, 30th)

Monday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 - 6:00 pm 

Tuesday: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Wednesday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Thursday: 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Friday: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Saturday: 5:30 - 8:30 pm 

** SPOKES will make special appointments during closure times for bicycle returns. Just email at spokes@uvic.ca to set something up. A reminder that all LOANS must be returned with a LOCK & KEY.

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Please note that there may be people working in the shop outside of these hours, so please drop by the Campus Bike Centre. Also, the above hours are subject to change. As always, SPOKES is run by volunteers with the help of financial contributions from UVIC, UVSS, and UVSP. Thanks for your patience.

Location

SPOKES is located in the Campus Bike Centre west side under the University Centre Building. Enter through the canopy entrance off the service road between University Centre and the Business and Economics buildings.

Volunteering for SPOKES

SPOKES Volunteer Recruitment

Do you want to get your hands dirty helping out a great cause? The UVic SPOKES program is looking for new volunteers to support its bicycle recycling service!

Volunteer Information Sessions:
Check back to see for new info sessions OR contact spokes@uvic.ca for more information

Drop in during any of the above times to meet our senior volunteers and learn how you can lend a hand to our amazing program. We prefer people with basic bike repair skills but also welcome volunteers who can help deal with "customer" service, help tidy the shop, pick up donations and promote our program. We look for a commitment of 5 - 7 hours per month for 3 months at a time. We have an awesome group of people who are happy to help share their skills and put you to work in order to refurbish more bikes to loan out to students, faculty and staff at UVic. Learn more about what it takes to volunteer with SPOKES and the rewarding work we do to provide low cost, green transportation solutions!

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SPOKES is building a stronger community by sharing knowledge! Our entire program is run by volunteers who teach and learn from each other. If you are interested in learning bike repair skills, and willing to share your skills with the SPOKES program, we welcome you! Volunteers with previous experience preferred - roles and honorariums available for keeners. Contact for more information.

Program sponsors

SPOKES was started in 2003. Over the past decade it has evolved to an award winning program. SPOKES is run by volunteers with generous support from the following agencies: