What you need for a bike parade

A bike parade needs more than bikes and decorations. You will need clear route markers, visible safety equipment, registration materials, basic bike repairs and a practical setup at the start and finish. Plan refreshments for the riders and volunteers, then check how you will power the speaker, microphone and lights. This shopping list helps you gather the items that are easiest to overlook, especially spare inner tubes, extension leads, waste bins and enough tables for check-in and snacks.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 8
Folding chairqty 40
Standing tableqty 6
Bicycle rackqty 12
Waste binqty 8

Sports equipment

Route arrowqty 35
Starting flagqty 2
Finish flagqty 2
Safety vestqty 25
Traffic coneqty 30
Marker coneqty 20
Barrier fenceqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 10
Bike pumpqty 4
Tire repair kitqty 6
Spare inner tubeqty 12
Bicycle lightsqty 20
Reflective vestqty 20
Route mapqty 200
Bib numberqty 200
Wristbandqty 200
Bike lockqty 20

Equipment

Portable speakerqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordqty 6
Power stripqty 6
Power bankqty 8
First aid bagqty 3
Walkie-talkieqty 12
Megaphoneqty 2
Clipboardqty 8
Pensqty 30

Lighting

LED lampqty 10
String lightsqty 6
Flashlightqty 8

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassqty 250
Coffee cupqty 80
Plateqty 200
Knifeqty 150
Forkqty 150
Spoonqty 100

Kitchen

Cool boxqty 6
Thermosqty 6
Water jugqty 8
Serving platterqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cutting boardqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Ice cube trayqty 4
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Thermos flaskqty 4
Serving trayqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopqty 4
Bucketqty 4
Cleaning clothqty 20
Hand broomqty 4

Decorations

Balloonqty 100
Buntingqty 8
Parade flagqty 12
Information boardqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Semi-skimmed milk - 10 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 24 liters
- Cola Zero - 18 liters
- Orange Soda - 12 liter
- Iced tea - 12 liters
- Spa Blue - 120 liters
- Spa Rood - 24 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Sports drink - 30 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Fresh mint - 10 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Kaiser rolls - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Apples - 150 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Mandarins - 100 pieces
- Muesli bars - 200 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salted nuts - 5 kilo
- Olives - 3 kg
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Cheese cubes - 4 kilo
- Sliced sausage - 3 kilos
- Falafel balls - 3 kilos
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Hummus dressing - 2 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Vinegar - 1 liter
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Garbage bags - 100 pieces
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Diet cookies - 6 packs

Tips

Prepare one repair point with a pump, puncture repair kit and spare inner tubes before participants arrive. A small mechanical problem should not stop the parade or delay the start.
Use route arrows at every turn and add extra signs before confusing crossings. Place cones, barriers or tape where riders need to keep clear of traffic or pedestrians.
Set up a check-in table with bib numbers, wristbands, the participant list and route maps. Keep spare pens and a separate pile of unused numbers so volunteers can process late arrivals quickly.
Plan drinks and snacks for both riders and route volunteers, not just registered participants. Keep the drinks cool and provide waste bins at the start and finish so cleanup does not become a separate problem.
Test the portable speaker, microphone, mixer, extension cord, power strip and power banks before setup day. Bring LED lights and bike lights if the event may continue in low light or volunteers need to be visible while packing up.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a bike parade?: Plan for route arrows, start and finish flags, safety vests, cones, barriers or tape, registration materials, bike repair supplies, drinks and snacks. You will also need setup items such as tables, chairs, waste bins and lighting.
How many spare inner tubes do I need for a bike parade?: A practical starting point is 1 spare inner tube for every 10 to 15 participating bikes, with at least 3 available for a small parade. Match the sizes to the bikes expected and keep a pump and puncture repair kit beside them.
How many route signs do I need for a bike parade?: Count one route arrow for every turn, junction or decision point, then add at least 10% extra for replacements and unclear approaches. Mark the start and finish separately with flags so riders can identify them from a distance.
How early should I prepare the bike parade shopping list?: Finish the first shopping check at least 2 weeks before the parade, especially for furniture, barriers, flags and sound equipment. Recheck quantities 2 to 3 days before the event and buy fresh drinks and snacks then.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.