I am about to start a very exciting short-term contract with a local cycling advocacy group as coordinator for a few different programs they run, such as:
- community workshops for people to learn bike maintenance skills (emphasis on older adults who have a bike but haven't used it in years)
- guided bike rides (again, emphasis on getting people aged 55+ comfortable with riding or back in to riding)
- the bike recycling program (getting people to donate bikes, finding organizations to give the bikes to, and recruiting volunteer bike mechanics)
I feel mostly ok with the programming itself, but my main concern is adequate promotion and marketing. As an active, engaged cyclist in this town, I've often found out about cool events *after* they happen, so clearly there's a bit of a gap between organizing and promoting. I really want to try to overcome this. As the target audience is 55+, I really have to think outside the box in terms of how to reach those people. So I come to you seeking help, because the forum hive mind is infinitely wise.
So far I have a list for places to promote created from brainstorming with my parents (older people who have bikes but stopped using them ~10 years ago), my sister (avid cyclist) and some friends (coincidentally, I am only friends with avid cyclists). Here goes:
- mailing lists that older people are on (possibly something sent out by a government department or council? Can tie in with health/social benefits)
- Rotary, Lions clubs etc
- city council
- library noticeboard
- liquor stores, brewery (posters on public noticeboard)
- retirement homes
- local restaurants that have a more senior clientele
- men's sheds (not sure if there is one in town), habitat for humanity, gardening/woodwork clubs
- fliers/posters on popular bike routes; fliers to tie around people's handlebars (this would be more for the bike maintenance workshops, or finding volunteer mechanics)
- local military base newsletter
- recreation centres/yoga studios
- kijiji (under the community/events/free category)
- local multicultural centre (get people new to Canada set up with a bike, a maintenance workshop and a guided tour of the city)
- the mall (mall walkers!)
- local bike stores
Any other suggestions would be hugely appreciated! And batsignalling the following folks who have all been mentioned as good resources:
@monstermonster @GuitarStv @Stasher @GT