What to bring for a cleanup bike tour

A cleanup bike tour needs more than bicycles and bin bags. You need equipment for collecting waste, keeping riders visible and safe, moving full bags, and serving drinks and snacks at the start or finish. This list covers the practical supplies for the registration point, sorting area, routes, and refreshment setup. Check quantities against your expected number of riders, volunteers, and cleaning zones before you shop.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 4
Bicycle racksqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Remove traysqty 2
Power banksqty 6
Megaphonesqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Pliersqty 6
Cooler cratesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Water jugsqty 8

Sports equipment

Litter pickersqty 35
Work glovesqty 40
Safety vestsqty 40
Bike helmetsqty 10
Bike pumpsqty 6
Tape kitsqty 6
Transport bike cartsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Mop setsqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4

Decorations

Route signsqty 12
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Chalkboardsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White baguette - 10 pieces
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian spreads - 8 tubs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Mandarins - 5 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Nut mix - 4 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags 60 liters - 200 pieces
- Garbage bags 120 liters - 80 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Rubber cleaning gloves - 6 pairs

Tips

Plan one litter picker and one pair of work gloves per person collecting waste, then add at least 10% extra for replacements or volunteers who join late. Safety vests should be available for every route team, especially where riders work near traffic.
Take at least one waste bin or trash bag holder to each marked waste point, plus a broom set for the finish area. Add transport bike carts if teams need to move full bags back to the collection point without carrying them on bicycles.
Pack one bike pump per route team and keep spare power banks at the registration desk. Tape kits are easy to forget but useful for fixing route signs, securing loose materials, and marking temporary hazards.
For refreshments, allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then adjust for the full duration. Chill drinks in coolers before riders arrive and bring reusable cups, water jugs, coffee cups, and serving platters together so the setup does not depend on last-minute shopping.
Prepare team packages before departure with gloves, safety vests, litter pickers, tape, and route information. Keep helmets and bicycle inspection supplies at the start location, and provide bicycle racks so parked bikes do not block the registration or sorting areas.

Frequently asked questions

How many litter pickers and gloves do I need for a cleanup bike tour?: Plan one litter picker and one pair of work gloves for every person assigned to collect waste. Buy or borrow 10% extra, so a team of 20 people needs at least 22 pickers and 22 pairs of gloves.
How many drinks should I buy for a cleanup bike tour?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, including water, coffee, or other refreshments. For 30 participants, that means 60 to 90 drinks for the first hour, with extra water for warm weather or a longer route.
What safety equipment is needed for a bike cleanup event?: Provide one safety vest for every route volunteer and make sure each rider has a bike helmet. Keep at least one bike pump per route team, and check the equipment no later than the day before the tour.
When should I prepare the cleanup bike tour shopping list?: Finalise the list at least one week before the event, once registrations and volunteer assignments are clear. Do the main shopping two to three days beforehand, then chill drinks and assemble team packages on the day before.

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.