Bike Pirates launches crowdfunding effort to relocate

After eight years near Bloor and Lansdowne, DIY repair joint and community hub Bike Pirates is set to relocate. The volunteer-run organization wants to expand to a bigger space, for which it's asking for the public's help via an Indiegogo campaign to the tune of $20,000.

It's an ambitious goal, to be sure, but given that the operation is completely funded by donations to begin with, one suspects those affiliated with the shop know a thing or two about fundraising. On top of that, a bigger Bike Pirates is a good thing for both Toronto's cycling community and those who support grassroots organizations.

The crowdfunding campaign is designed to help cover the costs associated with renovating a new space to serve as a function repair shop -- things like electrical updates, shelving, new flooring and a security system. As to where the new location will be, it's still up in the air, but the plan is to take space by January and to be operational sometime in March, just in time for cycling season.