Thank you for checking in with us to inquire about the status of the Bike Church. We are aware that there is a group of people who would like to see the Bike Church succeed and offer services to the community. There are actually a variety of updates I can share with you and I apologize for the delay as I am still in the process of talking to a couple of people responsible for addressing the recent concerns.

As we look at the recent development of the Bike Church and its 4-5 year history on Student Housing property, there are a variety of concerns for our department. One concern relates to the general risk and liability of this kind of operation on residential property. Health and safety issues are always going to be under a microscope and any injury or concern is a liability for our department. Another liability is the money and property you collect as “donations”, which can be a large concern for the campus and Student Housing if it does not meet strict regulations. Now that you are a registered student group the Student Programs and Activities Office (SPAC) might be of assistance to you in this area as you grow (see UC Davis, Policy & Procedure Manual Sections 260 & 270). Another health and safety concern relates to this organization having open membership to the Davis community and the security issues that can arise since this facility is located in a housing area. The final concern is related to the fact that the Bike Church established itself on Student Housing property without specific approval and continues to operate and grow as its own entity. The current location of the Bike Church results in our involvement and staff time to address any issues that arise.

Student Housing has been notified by the UC Davis Fire Department that the Bike Church structure does not meet code and should stop being used immediately. Along with the concerns from the Fire Department there are a number of requirements that the structure needs to meet to receive campus approval. These requirements include items such as submitting detailed schematic drawings of the structure, receiving approval from multiple campus committees, and receiving official approval from Student Housing for use of the land. Based on the time, money, and on-going commitment needed to receive approval it does not seem like the Bike Church structure will be able to receive campus approval.

Another reason for the delay in getting back to your group relates to our due diligence in finding a possible solution and positive outcome for everyone involved. We have reconfirmed with the Fire Department their stance on the need to immediately stop use of the facility. We have conferred with the UC Davis Office of Resource Management and Planning as to other campus options that might be considered. In our research, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the Bike Church is now a registered student group with the Student Programs and Activities Office (SPAC) which, as previously mentioned, might be of some assistance in helping your organization. We have made some initial contact with their office and had planned on meeting with them. You should consider doing the same.

We understand and appreciate the mission and goals you strive for with this program. Many of your objectives are in alignment with Student Housing objectives as they relate to sustainability, recycling, promoting health and wellness, etc., but we are not in the bike repair business. Based on the notice from the Fire Department and the other concerns listed above we need to have use of the Bike Church structure stop immediately and for the Bike Church in its’ entirety to be removed from Student Housing property. The structure should be completely dismantled by December 1, 2008 and everything should be removed from Student Housing property by the end of this calendar year (December 31, 2008). We will be posting flyers in the next couple of days in the Bike Church area. Anything you can do to help notify your members would be appreciated.