Grease Rag Open Shop- DIY FTW Safer Spaces Since 2009
Grease Rag started as a casual social bike ride to a bike shop, where we would learn to wrench on our own bikes in an “open shop.” Grease Rag has always been an FTW (“Femme, Trans, Women,” which includes agender, non-binary, two-spirit, and all gender variations that are not cis men) safer space: free of well-meaning boyfriends, know-it-all men, and condescending bike mechanics. Our goal has always been friendly inclusivity, without assumptions about ability or knowledge. Grease Rag has ebbed and flowed over the past 12 years to include different formats and quantities of open shops, rides, educational seminars, zines, and blogs. We are a community, and we support each other!
As a founding member, I have been asked many times how to do an inclusive open shop. There’s no definitive list of things to do that will magically make your space inclusive and safer. It really boils down to listening, changing the way you do things to accommodate people, and work, work, WORK. Every space has its unique challenges and benefits.
In no particular order, here are ten things we’ve learned.
- Leadership
- We are a flat organization of volunteers. There’s no boss, no president, no board. However, we have leaders and organizers! These are people who make things happen and actively work to organize the group. Hierarchically they do not have more organizational power, but are people who can be contacted for things like events, or policies. It is VITAL that your spaces are run by the people who are most affected by the racist, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, fatphobic, patriarchy that is nearly omnipresent in the bike community. If you use the phrase, “We need to bring more diversity to the table,” you are not ready for this kind of work. Fuck/de-center ableist cis white supremacy.
- Physical environment
- How accessible is your space? Are there stairs? All-gender bathrooms with accessible stalls and scent-free soap? Food that is halal, gluten free, vegan, nut free? Sober space? Can a wheelchair operate in space? Can a fat person comfortably navigate the space? Do you speak other languages? Is there childcare or is the space safe for children? Will there be animals there? Be completely up front about what the physical environment is like when you advertise the space. Addressing these things directly shows that you have thought about how to best accommodate people.
- Build community
- Greeting returning members by name, having snacks available (except during Ramadaan!), and doing a “go around” (name, pronouns (optional), and an icebreaker question) in the middle of shop time are things that we do. Encourage people to come back and bring their friends. Have a regular shop schedule.
- Welcome people
- “Hi! Are you here for Grease Rag?” We say this to anyone who walks into the space. If they answer, “Yes,” you can start the check-in process. If they are confused or say no, explain what the space is in one sentence and allow them the space to decide whether that space is for them or not. “We are a free, open shop that’s open to everyone who is not a cis man.” We DO get cis men that say offensive/transphobic shit like, “Well if I wear a dress can I come in?” So we practice confidently replying, “If you are femme, trans, or a woman and don’t feel safe in the regular shop, you are welcome. If you’re a cis man, all of the other shop spaces at all other times are open to you.”
- Gender-neutral language
- When addressing the group, in social media or in person, don’t address people as “ladies,” or, “guys,” or other gendered language. Using gendered language when your space is FTW is transphobic af.
- Don’t make assumptions about knowledge or ability
- Instead of asking technical questions that assume bike knowledge, start with less technical questions and work your way there. Everyone knows the answer to questions like, “How long have you been riding this bike?” “Is there anything bothering you about your ride?” “Is there anything specific you want to address?” If people have technical knowledge, they can include that in their answers. If people don’t have technical knowledge, they can describe what’s going on. It takes a few extra guiding questions, but you’ll get there together, I promise!
- Don’t take tools out of people’s hands
- Going to an open shop for the first time can feel like you are going to a doctor with an unknown health condition. Scary and overwhelming. Remember this when you are the facilitator or mechanic and maintain people’s dignity and autonomy. Ask and wait for consent before you touch any part of a person’s bike. Even if you see someone struggling, always ask first. If people need assistance with a repair, talk them through what needs to be done. Put the tool in their hand. Explain what to do. If you need to, show them how to do the repair, undo it, and have them redo it so they are truly fixing their own bike. Instead of, “You’re doing that wrong,” try asking, “Can I show you another way to do that?” “Can I stop you right there because I am noticing an unsafe situation,” or, “Would you like a suggestion on how to make that easier?” NEVER EVER TAKE A TOOL OR BIKE FROM SOMEONE. Consent means waiting for someone to hand you the tool or bike. Keep reinforcing that questions are okay, not knowing is not bad, and if you have the ability and knowledge to do it on your own we are still here for any advice or support.
- Shop agreement
- The way Grease Rag does open shop is we come to an agreement with a bike shop that they let us use their space and will pay an FTW staff member to be a lead mechanic. We provide FTW volunteer facilitators who welcome, check in, monitor the space, and help with repairs if they feel comfortable. The agreement covers what we expect if there is an issue with the staff person or space, what parts are free, if there are any discounts, schedule, and other details.
- Listen, sit, react
- Nothing is perfect. Despite your best intentions, something is going to go wrong. When community calls on you to make a change, know that it is out of love. Sit with the feedback. Do independent research. Ask questions to clarify. Reflect on how you got here. Call on your support system. Then react.
- Know your limits
- You can’t be and do everything. Recognize those limits and be clear about them so people don’t have expectations that you cannot meet. If your space only has the capacity for five people, or your lead mechanic is a cis male, or you don’t have childcare… you need to first disclose these limits, and secondly attempt to mitigate them. E.g. There is limited space so we have a reservation system. Our lead mechanic is a cis male so we have FTW facilitators and are in constant communication with the mechanic that we have trained. We don’t have childcare because of safety issues but have some family friendly rides. Get creative and do what you can!
L. Kling (they/them) has been riding and wrenching on occupied Dakota and Anishinaabe land (Minneapolis, MN) since 2009 with a great group of FTW called Grease Rag. Low enjoys slow rides with jams, leading bike camping trips, and everything Grease Rag. Instagram: @greaseragbikes @yolowzines greaserag.org