> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bbp-1.gitbook.io/the-bristol-bike-project-co-op-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bbp-1.gitbook.io/the-bristol-bike-project-co-op-handbook/co-op.md).

# Our Co-op

The Bristol Bike Project is a Community Interest Company with a co-operative structure. This means that we are an organisation whose focus is community benefit rather than private gain, and that we are a Member-led organisation. Co-operatives are defined as follows:

“*A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. Co-operatives are enterprises that put people at the centre of their business and not capital.*” ([www.ica.coop](http://www.ica.coop/))

Co-operatives are nothing without Members. Anyone who volunteers regularly can become a Member in order to become more involved in the running and the direction of the Project.

We hold quarterly General Meetings to which all Members are invited. This is our principal decision-making forum where the fundamental direction of the Project is decided upon. An Ops Group made up of representatives from across the Project meets monthly to oversee the operational implementation of what we decide in General Meetings. A Directors Group is elected from our Members and holds overall responsibility for the legal and financial obligations of the Project, as well as acting as a protector of our purpose and values, and providing guidance and expertise to allow us to achieve our potential.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://bbp-1.gitbook.io/the-bristol-bike-project-co-op-handbook/co-op.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.