[TheThinkTank] call for workshops, bike!bike! 2007

[Jessica McPherson]

Hey everyone, we are sending the call out to plan
workshops for Bike!Bike! 2007 - forward as
appropriate!  

-Jessica, Free Ride Bicycle Coop

WHAT IS BIKE! BIKE!? 

Bike!Bike! is, an annual gathering and conference of
Community and Non-Profit Bike shops and projects.  In
2007 the fourth annual Bike!Bike! Conference will by
hosted by the Free Ride collective in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. It all started in New Orleans back in
2003 when the Plan B Coop invited 50 or so people from
across the country to gather and discuss, network,
collaborate, brainstorm and all around geek out about
their recycled bike projects. It has since grown,
attracting bike projects from the U.S. and Canada.
This year we at Free Ride! hope to expand the
conference to be beneficial for both small bicycle
cooperatives that are just starting up, as well as
larger recycled bike organizations that are well
established.  At this time new community bike projects
are starting up all across the continent and bringing
new ideas and energy to the field, but there are also
well-established projects with the benefit of years of
experience.  We hope for Bike!Bike! to provide a forum
for cross-pollination to the benefit of all.  

For more information, see: www.bikebike.org.

WHAT ARE WORKSHOPS?

As in years past, this year the Bike Bike agenda will
be a collaborative effort from those involved in
community bike projects all across the country.  We
seek volunteers to lead workshops, discussions, and
skill-shares on all aspects of community bike project
work.  To create the vibrant exchange of ideas that
BikeBike has historically offered, we need a diversity
of voices from different geographic regions,
experience levels, organizational models, and program
focus areas— so step up and get involved!  Topics can
range from programs, community engagement,
administration, fundraising, bike mechanics, etc.. 
Some sample ideas from the Free Ride planning
committee: Youth Employment, Incorporating Arts
Education, Sending Bikes Globally, Collaboration with
bike advocacy organizations, Earn-A-Bike
programs-(funding,curriculum etc), Bicycle Education
in Schools, University Collaborations, Non-Profit
Status, mechanical skills workshops (3-speeds,
trailers, welding, etc.), and more.  Free Ride’s
workshop space and tools will be available.  

The first day of the conference will be Bike Project
101, geared towards those who are just starting out in
the endeavor of building a community bike project.  It
will  include basic workshops on topics such as:
finding a space, introduction to programs
(earn-a-bike, adult or kids’ classes, etc.),
fundraising, models for organization (collective,
co-op, volunteers, etc), and legal questions
(insurance, non-profit affiliation, etc.).   We seek
members of established projects who are willing to
facilitate an introductory workshop on some aspect of
bike project organization on this first day of the
conference.  

If you or your program does something particularly
well- share that with the country!  If there’s a
challenge, innovation, or issue you think is
particularly relevant to bike program work- study up
and offer to lead a workshop!   

Workshop format is at the discretion of the organizer;
it may range from facilitated discussions,
participatory skills-sharing, or more formal
presentations by an individual or group.  Please plan
at a minimum to be prepared to facilitate a group
discussion, and well-informed on the subject.

This year we are also looking beyond the bicycling
community to bring in expertise we can benefit from in
community bike project work.  Topics might include
anti-racism training, working with youth, legal
aspects, etc.  Please contact us with any suggestions
for topics or individuals who might be expert
presenters/facilitators for such workshops.  

HOW DO I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?

To propose a workshop, send a brief description
including subject matter, workshop format, and any
facilities preferences by May 15, 2007.  Please submit
your name, the organization you are representing (if
applicable), full contact information, one reference
(professional or personal), and a short biography of
yourself and/or your organization.  Please submit
early, so that if we have duplicate/similar proposals
we can connect folks and encourage collaboration.  

Please send in your proposals via email to
workshops at bike-pgh.org, and include the word
“Proposal” in the subject line.

If electronic submission is not possible, please use
the mailing address listed below.  Free Ride! will
compile the agenda and notify people regarding the
status of their proposals by July 1. 

Free Ride!
Bike!Bike! Workshop Committee
214 N. Lexington Ave,
Pittsburgh, PA 15208

OTHER CONFERENCE PLANS—GET INVOLVED!  

There is a bulletin board set up on the
www.bikebike.org site for discussion & collaborative
planning across the miles for this year’s conference,
please visit!

Free Ride!’s planning committee has a short list of
ideas already: a professional Anti-Racist Training, a
Think Tank to work on a community bike shop
presentation for Interbike, a Think Tank to work on
the Community Bike Shop wiki, a hands-on project to
take advantage of the convergence of good mechanics
all in one place, a merch swap, and extra-curriculars
like bike rides, movies, and parties.  If you are
interested in organizing or helping out with any of
these activities, please email workshops at bike-pgh.org
with your interests, or call Free Ride! at
412-731-4094.  If you can offer help with conference
basics such as food or publicity, email
freeride at bike-pgh.org.

Thanks and we look forward to hosting yinz! (that’s
Pittsburh-ese for you-all),
Free Ride Recycled Bike Coop 



 
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