Code of Conduct
Our Commitment to You
The Bike Brigade welcomes members of all backgrounds that share our values of solidarity, collaboration and respect for diversity. For the purpose of this Code of Conduct, the term “member” means any individual engaging in activities connected to the Bike Brigade context, including full-time, part-time, temporary, probationary, casual and contract staff, as well as volunteers, co-op students, interns, apprentices, board members, and others who identify themselves as being affiliated with the Bike Brigade.
We are committed to engaging our members in a meaningful and responsible way, fostering a culture of care within our community, and holding each other accountable through collective leadership and action.
Community Values
Climate and Environmental Justice
The Bike Brigade is determined to act to address our climate crisis and protect the environment and health of our neighborhoods. We use bikes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support last-mile deliveries, and connect communities towards a green economy.
In doing so, we strive to follow the leadership of environmental justice groups in Tkaronto in advocating for the fair and equitable distribution of resources and environmental benefits, including Indigenous land sovereignty and migrant rights. We recognize that it is necessary to incorporate social justice ideals into our work, by promoting respectful forms of collaboration, giving voice to those who have been silenced, and decolonizing our actions.
Equity and Intersectionality
The Bike Brigade is grounded in equity and intersectionality. Equity is guaranteeing fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups. Intersectionality is about recognizing and understanding conflicting dynamics of oppression, bringing these often-hidden dynamics forward in order to transform them and acting for social justice in a way that is meaningful for the groups we support.
Equity and intersectionality inform our work to build and strengthen our relationships within our communities. At the same time, we strive to build community by embracing diverse perspectives and engaging members of all backgrounds.
Integrity
The Bike Brigade is committed to fostering a culture of integrity. Integrity is about acting with honesty, transparency and accountability. It means recognizing that our community makes us and our lives better, decentering ourselves, and expressing gratitude to others. And it means taking commitments seriously, being proactive when we don’t understand our responsibilities and, ultimately, being accountable for our actions.
We believe in acting with honesty, transparency, and truthfulness. We believe in following through on commitments, being responsible for our actions and owning up to our mistakes. We believe in being accountable to ourselves and our communities.
Empowerment
The Bike Brigade is a strength-based organization. We support, trust and empower our members and communities. We are committed to developing the confidence of talents and capabilities. We encourage mentorship, shared learning, workshops, and communities of practice that are informed by the needs of the communities we live in and support.
#SolidarityNotCharity
The Bike Brigade is rooted in the values of solidarity and mutual aid. Solidarity refers to supporting communities, creating unity of feeling or action. Mutual aid involves working together - among equals - to meet the needs of everyone, within and across communities. Mutual aid is demonstrated through many of the Bike Brigade’s partners, who are fostering networks of people caring for each other in a cooperative and meaningful manner.
We believe in working cooperatively, as well as promoting unity and equality at all times. We believe in providing services that are informed by and meaningful to the individuals and communities we support, working together to meet the needs of everyone.
Anti-Oppression Framework
At the Bike Brigade, we are committed to challenging systems of oppression and upholding the values of solidarity and equity. We promote a culture where oppressive systems and practices are recognized, and their impact on oppressed individuals and groups is acknowledged. We support the identification of barriers to social and structural change, engage in equity-informed support, and provide assistance to racialized and other oppressed groups demanding justice.
Protection against Racism, Racial Discrimination and All Forms of Discrimination: The Bike Brigade acknowledges that racism and racial discrimination remain widespread within our society and that conflicting dynamics of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, xenophobia, classism and other oppressions leads to systemic injustice. We are committed to having a culture of anti-racism and providing an environment free of discrimination, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities. We are committed to taking action to remedy social injustice.
Protection against Violence and Harassment: Members are protected from the actions of others who enter the Bike Brigade’s context, and it is also unacceptable for members of the Bike Brigade to commit any act or form of violence and harassment.
Transformative Justice: The Bike Brigade is committed to responding to violence in ways that create safety, avoid further violence and/or reduce harm. We recognize that violence does not happen in a vacuum and support community-informed efforts to help transform the conditions that allow for violence to happen.
Collective Responsibilities
All Bike Brigade members are required to act in accordance with high ethical standards in the performance of their tasks. At all times, members must consider and treat all beneficiaries, communities, partner organizations, other members and any other individuals with fairness and respect, courtesy, dignity, and in accordance with applicable national and international law.
We respect and promote fundamental human rights without any discrimination based on social and economic status, race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnicity, colour, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.
We comply with the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, expertise, integrity, and transparency in the provision of services. Members must ensure that resources are used solely for the intended purpose, and they shall follow transparent, accountable and honest business practices. Members shall never abuse their position to grant or receive preferential treatment or to request favours, gifts, payments, or benefits.
Protection of Information
The Bike Brigade and all members must exercise strict control over information which they may receive during their assignment. The information should not be disclosed to individuals who are not authorized by the Bike Brigade to receive it, and it should not be shared more widely than necessary to achieve the intended purpose. All collected and/or used personal information, including recipients’ addresses and phone numbers, must be kept in strict confidentiality. All shared statistics must be strictly anonymous, except with the consent of the subject of the information.
Members should not take photographs of recipients or other individuals without their consent. Before sending photographs to the Bike Brigade for posting on social media, members should acquire permission from all subjects of the photograph. Members’ personal information shall not be shared with third parties, in whole or in part, for any purpose except with the consent of the subject of the information.
Comprehensive information about the Bike Brigade’s privacy management practices, as well as guidelines on how to ensure confidentiality of information received during assignments, will be available on the Bike Brigade’s website soon.
Safety & Security
We encourage the safety and security of our members at all times. Members shall follow bicycle safety and road rules and take any reasonable precautions to keep themselves and others safe, like wearing a helmet, having a bell and lights, and making sure their bikes are in safe working condition. Members shall always obey the rules of the road and never rush for a delivery. Members’ safety takes priority over time of delivery at all times.
We strongly recommend members familiarize themselves with the neighbourhoods they are delivering in. This includes identifying resources to ensure individual safety, as well as knowledge of community-specific safety alternatives to police. If members need immediate support from the Bike Brigade during deliveries, our phone number is +1 (855) 984-2453. We respond to non-emergency situations, from getting a flat tire to needing a buddy to feel safe riding home. This is not an emergency phone line; appropriate emergency contacts should be contacted as appropriate in the specific situation.
For further guidance, please refer to the Bike Brigade’s Anti-Violence and Harassment Policy.
Accountability & Conflict Resolution
The Bike Brigade and all members are committed to contributing to an environment which prevents misconduct and promotes the Bike Brigade’s principles and values. In case of conflict or alleged breach of this Code of Conduct and associated policies, individuals are encouraged to contact any member of the Logistics Team or the Anti-Oppression Coordinator (support@bikebrigade.ca). Issues and complaints can be communicated either informally or formally. Formal complaints may be received through an Incident Form - online here - or any equivalent methods that are accessible to the concerned person.
Complaints are treated in accordance with the Bike Brigade Conflict Resolution Procedures. These Procedures are rooted in transformative justice and a non-dogmatic, process-based approach to transform conflict and address issues of violence, harm and abuse.