12 March 2020

As the Bicycle Collective is a shared-use cooperative space, we wanted to make sure we reached out to let you know how we, as an organization, are taking precautions against Coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe “precautions” is the correct word as we strongly believe in taking Coronavirus seriously while proactively maintaining the Bicycle Collective at all our locations as safe space for the community to work on their bikes, purchase used bikes and parts, and create a positive impact for others. Now is not the time to panic; it is the time to double down on building a healthy and resilient community for ALL. 

Below are some new Virus Free BC Rules we are putting in place to maintain a safe hygienic space for all of our shop users. This is not a substitute for broader precautions, and we ask that you stay informed and up to date about COVID-19 from reliable sources. It is tempting and easy to go down a deep dark Coronavirus rabbit hole on the internet, but the information on CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) page and Utah’s Coronavirus page is updated regularly. 

As of 3/12/2020 there are three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Utah.

NEW “VIRUS FREE BC” RULES

1. Stay home and do not come to BC if you are feeling sick. Our staff has been given strict instructions to do the same and as many extra sick days as they need to accomplish this. 
2. A.B.W. (Always Be Washing) Rule. When you arrive at BC, we will ask you to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the CDC way) before working on your bike and again after working on your bike. Our mechanics will be washing their hands between each customer they assist with bicycle repair. We will be asking our volunteers to do the same during Volunteer Night.  
3. Clean tools, clean stands. Since we share surface areas (door handles, tools and stands) at BC, we ask that you again wash your hands before and after each time you work at a bench. We will wiping stands, benches and door handle down between customers.
4. Gloves if you need them. BC will provide surgical gloves if you would like to use them when working on your bike. Feel free to bring your own if you have them. 
5. Avoid touching your face directly with your bare hands. If you need to touch your face, use a sanitary method, like a clean cloth between your hand and face. It is virtually impossible not to touch your face, I realize. I have been trying. But you can touch it less often. Be aware of when you’ve just touched surfaces that might infect you (like doorknobs in busy places) and don’t touch your face until you’ve washed your hands. There are strategies — like keeping tissues handy and keeping your hands busy for touching your face less.
6.  Keep your distance. It’s not easy, but try to stay at least six feet away from other people when you’re at work or in public. And don’t shake hands. Your hands are brutally efficient disease vectors.  Try an elbow bump or fist pump.
7. No food or drinks on the shop floor. Since we are all trying to avoid touching our face area as much as possible, especially in community settings, we’re asking that you consume your food and beverages before or after you come to BC. We are going to suspend snacks during all programs. 
8. Be Cool, Be Calm, Ride On. These are precautions, we are taking this seriously, and these are not reasons to panic. So keep riding and stay healthy because there has never been a better time to be on a bike. 

STIGMA AND RESILIENCE

Please read this article about the danger of stigma and discrimination that can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population, ethnicity or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. 

An informative article on Covid 19 virus with additional resources is here on Medium.

YOU CAN HELP

1. Drop off your clean rags at BC (old washed t-shirts, towels…)
2. Extra soap, disinfectant, surface cleaner, wipes, hand sanitizer (the anti-microbial, not the anti-bacterial type), surgical gloves, kleenex ? We’ll take em!
3. Keep supporting all of your local nonprofits and businesses!

We are prepared to navigate through these challenging circumstances with your safety and confidence at Bicycle Collective at the forefront of everything we do. We will make our decisions with the health and well-beling of our volunteers, employees, customers and communities as our highest priority.

Thank you for your efforts and supporting these new rules in our shops in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and St. George.