February 2007 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

National Bike Summit
by Jonathan Morrison 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

I signed up to go, is anyone else going to attend? -- Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Project Coordinator Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org

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New Site design
by Jonathan Morrison 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

The Bike Collective Network just had a face lift.... http://www.bikecollectives.org/content/view/16/44/ -- Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Project Coordinator Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org

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Collectives and Power Inequality
by Graham Stewart 20 Feb '07

20 Feb '07

I know many shops and projects out there have a policy of trying to eliminate barriers based on race, gender, age, class, etc. Part of this approach is often using a collective and consensus based decision making process. Some of this is stuff the Bike-dump is dealing with and some of it is purely hypothetical. Also, my opinions and concerns may not be the same as those shared by other people at the Bike Dump. Some questions to start discussion: 1. Who here tries to run a shop which eliminates power inequality by employing ideas like consensus based decision making within a collective? 2. How to you determine membership in the collective? How do you deal with the inside/outside nature of decision making? What if a person with an un-treated mental illness or serious addiction regularly contributes to the shop and wants to be part of decision making or be trusted with money? 3. No matter what structures exist, power heirarchies naturally seem to evolve. Often they are based on experience or skills and many people do not consider this totally bad. How do you distinguish between a power heirarchy based on experience and qualification versus one based on prejudices about gender, age, or percieved trustworthiness? Any thoughts or suggestions which fall outside my questions are welcome too. Graham at the Bike Dump

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linking up with other clearinghouses?
by rachael spiewak 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

I stumbled upon this today: http://www.worldcarfree.net/. The global networking possibilities are endless (wow.. that was awfully corporate.. haha). Anyway, just thought I'd put the idea out there. two wheels good, rachael

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Shop Rentals
by Jonathan Morrison 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

We are trying to figure out what the going rate for renting a shop space out. Either directly to continuing education classes or indirectly when justify grant request amounts. Just curious if anyone else has some of these numbers... -- Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Project Coordinator Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org

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Bike Bike! 2007
by baglady 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Greetings! Im sure everyone"s been wondering what"s going on with Bike Bike '07?? Well, it's happening and it's happening in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from August 10-12, hosted by the Free Ride Recycled Bike Coop (www.freeridepgh.org). For those of you that don't know what “Bike Bike" is, it"s the annual gathering and conference of Community and Non-Profit Bike shops and projects. Whether you're currently involved in one or always wanted to get involved, anyone interested in this subject is welcome to attend. For general details, a list of bike projects, and a brief history, see: www.bikebike.org Here's a brief update on our rather rudimentary-as-yet ideas for the conference: Collaboratively planned content, as is customary! We'll soon send a call-out for workshop, skill-share, and discussion proposals– so start thinking about that awesome workshop you're going to facilitate! Community Bike Project 101 - the first day of the conference (Friday August 10th) will be especially for folks who are just starting out. Community Bike Projects go way beyond bikes – so we're looking to cross-pollinate with other related fields of work, by inviting practitioners in these fields to share their skills in workshops. Topics might include working with youth, anti-oppression, legal questions, etc. Big group hands-on project – because something cool should come out of having so many bike mechanics in one place together! Merch swap - so make sure to print up some shirts and stickers and whatever bling you wanna share. Fun rides, movies, social events.... How to Stay Tuned & Keep in Touch We want to try out a new forum for discussion & collaborative planning of the conference this year. We are going to set up a bulletin board that is organized into topics. However, it is not setup yet, so we will use this e-mail list until it's ready We can use help with conference logistics, publicity, etc...if you have ideas or want to help, contact erokore(a)bike-pgh.org Check bikebike.org for updates as planning progresses! If you are not already on the thinktank/bike bike list go to bikecollectives.org to sign up. We'll be sending out promotional materials and registration forms soon – so make sure your snail-mail and email addresses are current in the BOOP directory, or if you're not in the directory, e-mail erokore(a)bike-pgh.org to be added to our Bike!Bike! distribution lists. Thanks and we look forward to hosting yinz! (pittsburghese for ya'll) -Free Ride Recycled Bike Coop freeridepgh.org

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NBW seeks Earn-a-Bike Instructor
by Neighborhood Bike Works 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

Greetings list members, Neighborhood Bike Works is seeking a part time Earn-a-Bike Instructor. The job description, application instructions and qualifications required are below. At this point we definitely need someone who is already a capable bicycle mechanic. A person with experience as a youth worker would be a big plus, too. This is a very exciting job if you like working on bikes and are committed to helping a diverse group of youth from Philadelphia's neighborhoods renovate bikes. NBW instructors also teach bicycle safety, so successful applicants must be enthusiastic about riding bikes in the city. We usually pay instructors $10.00/hour. Please send resumes and/or questions to Andy Dyson at andy(a)neighborhoodbikeworks.org, not to this list. Thank you for your time ******************* NBW Earn-a-Bike instructor 2007 Hours: At least half an hour on each side of when the class starts and finishes but you must be flexible. Usually 3:00-6:30 on weekdays, plus staff meetings and occasional special events. Frequent Saturday hours—at least every second Saturday. 16-24 hours per week; could be more later in the year. Reports to: Executive Director Dates: Ongoing. Duties: Organize workshop and storage space Understand NBW’s overall program goals including: o Job readiness, employability o Positive relationships with peers and adults o Physical fitness o Community involvement o etc Teach bike repair classes for groups of up to 12 youth aged 8-17 Teach bike safety classes o Includes being here at least ½ hour before class, expecting to stay ½ after it ends o Review existing materials o Help develop existing materials o Keep records of homework and tests, before and after surveys and evaluations o Supervise volunteers and Penn work-study students o Supervise YouthWorks students, if any o Procure and supervise snacks Lead other activities Manage rides Recruitment and class size maintenance o Communication with NBW Program Coordinator and some program partners o Maintaining lists of potential students o Calling people who are on lists Developing good relationships with families Updating information on people who move Communicate with parents, partners and volunteers Help organize and attend graduation ceremony (evening hours or Saturday one day) Handle high intensity situations calmly Help ensure compliance with health and safety regulations Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of youth Competent bicycle mechanic Sense of humor Own bicycle and be able to ride twelve miles straight Youth work and bike shop mechanic experience desired This is a job that can require more or less constant physical activity Excellent personal communications skills Computer skills (Word and Excel for PC, e-mail, web) necessary Please send resume and cover letter to Andy Dyson, Executive Director, Neighborhood Bike Works, 3916 Locust Walk Philadelphia PA 19104, or (preferably) e-mail to andy(a)neighborhoodbikeworks.org Please use Microsoft Word attachments including your name and the position being applied for in the file name. Files entitled “resume” may well be deleted, which can delay your application. Please do not use any kind of compression on the files. Candidates must be available to try out at NBW for a few days prior to class starting. Please check our web site for more information on NBW at www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org -- Andrew C. Dyson Executive Director Neighborhood Bike Works 3916 Locust Walk Philadelphia PA 19104 (215) 386-0316 (215) 873-6695 (Cell) (215) 386-7288 (FAX) www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org

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BioJustice 2007 Come to Boston!
by spokes＠riseup.net 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

yo bikers- check this out & the bike tour leading up to it. (description at end of email) > BioJustice 2007 is a week long celebration of sustainable food and > alternatives to corporate healthcare. It is being developed by a wide > coalition of public interest groups, activists, farmers, scientists, and > concerned citizens, working together in response to the biotechnology > industry's international convention scheduled for the new Boston > Convention and Exhibition Center during May 6-9, 2007. > > The biotech industry is bringing thousands of executives, lawyers, > public relations people and corporate scientists to Boston to promote > their agenda of genetically engineered food, unaffordable high-tech > medicines and dangerous biodefense research that increases the threat of > new biological weapons. Through parades, rallies, educational events and > publications, music, a free health care clinic and free daily non-GMO > meals, Biojustice 2007 will > dramatize popular resistance to this agenda and highlight a wealth of > community-based alternatives. > > BioJustice 2007 supports a decentralized local food economy that is free > of genetically modified organisms, and is committed to working towards an > accessible health care system not dominated by pharmaceutical companies > and their costly and unreliable synthetic drugs. We oppose the > commodification of life and support community resistance to the plans for > a biological weapons lab in the heart of the Roxbury neighborhood. Join > us! > for more info:email spokes(a)riseup.net or squash(a)riseup.net > There are a few ways to get involved. > We are looking for: > 1. Local folks to help organize. Find spaces for events, secure donations, > put up flyers, etc.. > 2. Herbalists, doctors, nurses, EMTs and street medics to volunteer in the > free clinic and in the streets the week of BioJustice. Donate to the > clinic herbs, tincures or medical supplies by emailing mblue(a)risup.net or > towhombeautyistruth(a)riseup.net > 3. Food and monetary donations. > 4. Sign makers, marchers and puppeteers for the demonstrations! > 5. People to help in the kitchen cooking and serving food. > 6. Help spread the word! forward this email, check out the websites: > www.biojustice2007.org www.biodev.org > 7. Saddle up with friends on The Seed Sow Road Show! The 4 day, 100 mile > bike tour will start in Providence on May 1st, ride 50 miles to Worcester, > then 50 miles to end at BioJustice, 2007, stopping at gardens, farms and > schools along the way! We will be volunteering to help folks in their > gardens and farms, playing music and performing puppet shows for little > kiddies and farmers. Folks who are interested in performing should bring > shows already prepared with them. Anyone interested in presenting on the > issue of biotechnology, food and medicine, come with your material > rehearsed and ready to go. Others are welcomed to just come along for the > ride and for the farming! Everyone should try to come prepared with a > working bicycle, proper tour equipment, a helmet, camping gear and expect > to pitch in! > for more info or to rsvp email spokes: spokes(a)riseup.net > > > > > > >

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Trike needed for autistic youth (adult size)
by rachael spiewak 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

Hello, friends! A Sopo volunteer is in need of an adult-sized tricycle for his thirteen year old son who is autistic. He'd like for his son to be able to get in on the fun of riding bikes, but an ordinary bicycle is a no go. The family doesn't have a lot of money to spend, so I'm writing to ask if there's anyone out there with.. *a trike to donate, *ideas about where to get a quality trike for cheap, *and/or money to donate to the cause. The trike doesn't need to be in great shape, since this volunteer is rather handy. All contributions to Sopo are tax deductible. Additionally, we are working on a trike for another person who has a disability, and we'd like to be able to continue to help out more folks in need of alternative bicycles. If you are interested in supporting Sopo in this or if you have ideas about where to find resources to make this sustainable, please let me know! Love, Peace, and Bicycle Grease, Rachael Sopo Bicycle Cooperative Atlanta, GA www.sopobikes.org

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peaceful bikers arrested during Critical Mass need help!
by brian goldner 31 Jan '07

31 Jan '07

Dear My Fellow Bikers, My name is Brian Goldner. I was arrested while participating in a peaceful protest on November 24th, 2006. I am a junior at Emory University majoring in mathematics, economics and sociology and I am hoping to attend medical school upon graduating. I have a 3.8 GPA and no prior criminal history. The protest was a bicycle ride in the city of Atlanta. It was part of a larger global movement called Critical Mass: 1. Critical Mass Atlanta: http://criticalmassatlanta.org/ 2. Wikipedia article on the Critical Mass movement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass Critical Mass in Atlanta has been occurring every month for several years, and for the past year or so the monthly attendance has been between 200-300 people. To my knowledge, this is the first time arrests have been made during Critical Mass. Although there have been recent illegal arrests of protesters in New York for participating in Critical Mass. Judges in New York ruled that the actions of the police were unjust. I was arrested, as was Patrick Stephens, for participating in the Critical Mass Atlanta ride. As far as I know, we were the only 2 arrested out of several hundred riders. We were sent to jail, later posted bond, and will be appearing at court this Monday, November 27th for arraignment. According to the GA Driver's Manual (which can be obtained from here) we were not in violation of any traffic laws. According to the manual: "Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway must obey the same traffic laws governing the drivers of motor vehicles." Instead, we were charged with Disorderly Conduct (a more detailed description is below). We believe our rights have been violated and we are seeking counsel in this matter. Our next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14th at 5:00PM at the Atlanta Municipal Court that is located 150 Garnett St. in the City of Atlanta. The first court appearance was reset so I could be assigned a public defender. The second was reset because my lawyer was out sick that day, and the most recent court appearance was reset so that my codefendant could be assigned a public defender. Description of events after arrest: Patrick Stevens and Brian Goldner (me) are both being charged with crimes related to our riding in CM. The crimes with we are charged are: Disorderly Conduct 106-81(8) and Disorderly Conduct 106-81(9). These are both city (not state) ordinances. The officer noted that the accused did: "obstruct vehicular traffic and fail to clear when ordered. Also obstruct lawful occupation by trying to flee." Description of accused crimes from city website: ARTICLE III. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER Sec. 106-81. Disorderly conduct. It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the city to engage in any conduct described in the following subsections; provided, however, that no person shall be convicted of any of the following sections upon a showing that the predominant intent of such conduct was to exercise a constitutional right to: (8) Interfere, by acts of physical obstruction, another's pursuit of a lawful occupation; (9) Congregate with another or others in or on any public way so as to halt the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and to fail to clear that public way after being ordered to do so by a city police officer or other lawful authority; We were handcuffed on Peachtree Rd. and brought down to the Buckhead police precinct where a report was filed. We were then transported downtown to jail. We were not able to leave jail until our friends posted bail for us around 3AM. A Sergeant at the jail told us that we had the options of: 1. paying $906, which would get us out of jail that night as well as remove the need of attending court (it would be an admission of guilt), or paying $1300 in bail bonds. Officers at the jail falsely told us that this $1300 would be non-refundable (this was false, in fact, we'd receive most of it back after appearing at our arraignment) and instead opted for our friends to use the services of a bonding company to get us out. Patrick and I posted bond at $184 each. We are seeking legal counsel in this matter and in particular would appreciate the services of someone who understands the charges against us and has a familiar knowledge of the GA & ATL traffic laws as well as knowledge of the disorderly conduct laws. I can be reached via email at: brian.goldner(a)gmail.com or by cell: (718) 916-8929. I can also get in touch with Patrick if needed. My full contact info: Mailing address: Brian Goldner Emory University PO BOX 121468 Atlanta, GA 30322 Telephone: (718) 916-8929 I am asking you for whatever assistance possible. I have hopes for the future that would be dashed if I were put in jail now. I would also like to see to it that other riders' civil rights would not be violated in the future. After the criminal case against me is concluded I would like to file a civil suit against the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta police, and the officer who arrested me, for impeding my civil rights. Thank you, Brian Goldner -- Wishing you all the best, Brian Goldner http://brian.goldner.googlepages.com/home

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