What you need for a climate bike ride

A climate bike ride needs more than bikes and a route. You need clear wayfinding, visible volunteers, basic roadside repairs and a setup that works at the start and finish. This shopping list covers the practical equipment for registration, safety, navigation, announcements and refreshments. Check quantities against your participant count, route length and number of volunteer stations before buying or borrowing anything.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Bicycle racksqty 12
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 35
Bib numbersqty 80
Safety vestsqty 15
Bike pumpsqty 3
Tire repair kitsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Bike tool kitsqty 2
Ratchet strapsqty 10
Traffic conesqty 12
Bicycle lightsqty 6

Equipment

Portable speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Power banksqty 4
Phonesqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water jugsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Soup kettlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving plattersqty 12
Coolersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Towelsqty 12

Decorations

Route mapsqty 20
Info boardsqty 6
Chalkboardsqty 4
Name badgesqty 80
Pensqty 30
Duct tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 200
Markersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 48 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- Pumpkin - 8 kilogram
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Leek - 3 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Cumin - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Black pepper - 2 grinders
- Salt - 2 packs
- Whole wheat baguettes - 25 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Hummus - 5 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Pears - 50 pieces
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Nut bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Rice cakes - 10 packs
- Salted pretzels - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Compostable bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Scent remover sprays - 4 pieces

Tips

Plan one route arrow for every major turn, junction or confusing stretch, then add a few spare arrows for signs that are moved or damaged. Sort the signs before the ride so volunteers can load them in route order.
Make volunteers visible from a distance with safety vests, especially at busy crossings and the start area. Give each key position a phone or walkie-talkie, and keep at least one power bank available for every two phones.
For a ride with mechanical support, take at least one bike pump, one tire repair kit and one bike tool kit to each staffed support point. Carry spare inner tubes in more than one wheel size if participants ride different types of bikes.
Prepare one bib number and name sticker per registered rider, plus around 5–10% extra for late registrations or damaged labels. Keep the participant list and spare numbers together at registration rather than packing them into separate boxes.
Set out reusable cups, bowls, plates and cutlery before riders return, not when refreshments are served. For outdoor evening areas, use LED lamps or string lights and keep extension cords, power strips and lighting away from wet ground and walking routes.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a climate bike ride?: You need route arrows, bib numbers, safety vests, bike pumps, tire repair kits, spare inner tubes and bike tools, plus traffic cones and bicycle lights where needed. For the event base, plan tables, chairs, bicycle racks, communication equipment and serving items.
How many route signs do I need for a bike ride?: Count one arrow for each turn, junction and unclear section of the route, then add 10% spare signs. A 30-kilometre route with 24 marked decision points therefore needs about 27 route arrows.
How much bike repair equipment should I bring?: Bring at least one pump, one repair kit and one tool kit for every staffed repair point, with one additional complete set at the start or finish. Add spare inner tubes in the sizes used by the participating bikes.
How many bib numbers and name stickers should I prepare?: Prepare one of each for every registered participant and add 5–10% extra. For 80 riders, that means 84–88 bib numbers and name stickers, kept at registration for replacements and late arrivals.

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