April 2009 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] How to welcome Hispanic women if LGBTQ issues are culturally taboo?
by Mario Bruzzone 28 Apr '09

28 Apr '09

I think Krista's on the right track. One of the tenets of community organizing and activism--and I believe strongly that everyone in the community bike shop movement is engendering social change--is that you can't address every injustice in a community at one time. You pick your first battle, learn from it, and apply the lessons from the struggle to the next battle. That said, shops ought to proscribe behaviors, not attitudes. Our proscribed behaviors are shaped by our politics, obviously, but our reach and ability to foment substantive change in our community cannot be limited to the narrow group of us who both share a common ethos and worldview *and* feel empowered enough to act. This applies even at the most basic level of most of our shops as a change in the economics of transportation; and moreso for shops whose mission, stated or otherwise, reaches broader. In a practical sense, it means that you do outreach to both the gender-disempowered community and the Latino community at once--but not as if they are the same community. LGBTQQI folks in our shops are not allowed to condescend to non-English speakers or persons of color, nor to make them feel unwelcome; Latinos in our shops are not allowed to make homophobic statements nor to practice other sexist or discursively violent behaviors. Hell, LGBTQQI folks are not allowed to make homophobic statements, and Latinos are not allowed to condescend to others based on English-speaking ability, color, or national origin. (Both happen.) Part of having a safe space is making it safe for people who do not share our politics to be *exposed* to our politics, so long as they do not through action or attitude create atmospheres that reinforce the systems of privilege that our shops are, at current, actively working to oppose. Within the situation that Josh described briefly before, if you have a core group working on a specific space-safe night for the gender-disempowered, *and* the shop or this group feels that the night is under-utilized by Latino women, that group needs to work hard to make their night accessible to the Latino community without changing the underlying value that drives the space on that night: You make flyers in Spanish that speak to Latino women in your community; you have Spanish-speaking mechanics *every* week; your website has information in Spanish; you have sensitivity to differential gender dynamics in the Latino communities that you want to link up with. You repeatedly encourage and invite your repeat patrons to become involved in operating the shop. You do *not* make any certain groups of women or trans folk feel unwelcome on the night that is there to combat gendered power-knowledge. People of any and every ethnicity will come to your shop and never come back because you don't match the conception they had of you in their heads, and that is ok. Finally, it is imperative that when incidents do occur--and they will--that the people in the shop be able to explain, in non-accusatory and non-violent methods of communication, why certain actions aren't acceptable at the shop. Not just that they aren't, but *why*--even people who practice discursive violence are adults, and it does little good to lecture or harangue or condescend. I feel strongly that as long as people are willing to abide by shop rules, they are welcome in the shop. Again, it's not attitudes or politics that we proscribe, not people, but behaviors. Mario Bruzzone San Francisco

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How to welcome Hispanic women if LGBTQ issues are culturally taboo?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 28 Apr '09

28 Apr '09

Howdy folks, Community Cycles has a team of very motivated people working to get a women and trans bike night started here in Boulder. We're ironing out the last logistical issues, and have hit upon another potentially major one. We've heard from a volunteer who's hispanic herself, and deeply connected with a lot of our lower income hispanic residents that homosexuality and transgenderedness is pretty taboo in Latino culture/Catholocism. (Of course, this is a broad statement, and not intended by me or by her to implicate every Catholic person, or all those of Hispanic descent in some sort of homophobic conspiracy.) I'm wondering how those of you with a night or time set aside for women and/or trans people have overcome the taboo of queer folk and Latino "conservatism" in this regard? Any resources you can point us towards? Advertising for the night itself will definitely include both "women" and "trans" in the language, so how to provide or present a welcoming environment if someone is uncomfortable or even against something like homosexuality? I'm confident that we can handle the in-shop issues of innapropriate comments, awkwardness, etc. I'm more interested in hearing about the initial outreach steps. Any input is highly welcome. Thanks! josh.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Calling all artists! - Helmet Design Competition deadline extended- May 4th!
by adam schwartz 27 Apr '09

27 Apr '09

The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop and The Engaged University are proud to announce this special design competition. Please see attachment for details, registration deadline has been extended to May 4th. Last chance to apply and have your work featured! > > Please help us spread the word by sharing this with anyone who may be > interested. Thanks. > > -- > Adam Schwartz > Program Coordinator, Renaissance Youth Bike Shop > The Engaged University > 6200 Sheridan Street, Riverdale, MD > adamgs(a)umd.edu > (301) 405-3213 > * > > *P.S. (Text only version below.) > * > HEADS UP! ReDefine the Helmet Competition* > > *Calling all artists of all ages, backgrounds and descriptions to showcase > your talents. > Your charge is to Re-invent, Re-define and Re-brand the bike helmet to save > lives. > Design is the extra sizzle and awesomesauce that can change minds and > shift actions. > We are reaching out to others with ideas and imaginative design skills. > Can you help to redefine bike helmets as an essential fashion statement?* > > *To Submit: *Contact Adam or Noma @ The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop to > register, submit designs and receive special prototype helmet canvas. > > *Concept Designs due May 4th, 2009 > Completed helmets due May 22nd, 2009 > ** > Award & Exhibition Opportunities: *You could be eligible for a 25% > creator’s commission on a custom line of helmets offered for sale at local > shops. Selected entries will also be featured in Art-O-Matic 2009, on > our University-linked website and in many other broadcast and print media. > > *Eligibility:* Any resident of Washington, D.C. metro area, Maryland, > Virginia > *Judging criteria: *Youth appeal, humor, and audacity rule. Vibrant > colors, powerful letterforms and character renderings welcome. Creative > pastiche, sampling o.k. Please, no copywrite or trademark violations. > Collaborations encouraged. A fully realized, completed helmet is a necessary > part of the final entry. > *Jurors: *Youth and staff at The Engaged University ( > http://www.engagedu.umd.edu) > * > Who we are: *The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop (a project of The Engaged > University @ UMCP). We are a youth-based, bike recycling shop and > afterschool program that uses the bicycle as a catalyst to enhance the lives > of young people through educational, recreational and entrepreneurial > hands-on learning opportunities. > > *Contact us! * > • Adam Schwartz, 301-405-3213, adamgs(a)umd.edu > • Noma Mpofu, 301-405-2285, nmpofu(a)umd.edu > >

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Bicycle V. Hummer incident
by bike talk 26 Apr '09

26 Apr '09

A hummer drove over three bicycles in Hollywood Friday morning, crushing the bikes and injuring at least one rider, who was taken to the ER. According to some of the people at the scene, the officer who pulled over the driver made the comment, “I would have done the same thing.” The driver was not charged or cited. Krista, Sarah, and Tarsis, who were there, talk about it on Bike Talk 4/25. You can hear it by downloading at: https://download.yousendit.com/WnBSVWRwQk5waFJMWEE9PQ at 21:55 and at www.kpfk.org tomorrow after it's uploaded. Alex Thompson writes about it here: http://www.westsidebikeside.com/hummer-hits-cyclist-officer-cho-sympathizes… The Midnight Ridazz thread: http://midnightridazz.com/forums.php?topicId=9064 There will be a police commission SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009 9:00 A.M. PARKER CENTER, ROOM 146 150 NORTH LOS ANGELES STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 <http://www.lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/042809SpecialBoardMeetingAgenda%5B1%5D…> There will be a ride to the meeting. Read about it here: http://midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=2803 The board meeting format is here: http://www.lapdonline.org/ assets/pdf/042809SpecialBoardMeetingAgenda%5B1%5D.pdf And from bike activist Stephen Box: Friday - STORM the BASTILLE! We ride to City Hall to call on the City Council of Los Angeles, the largest City in the most populated State in the most powerful Country in the World, to make safety on the streets a priority! Join us for the Call to Action! The ride http://midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=2804 The discussion http://midnightridazz.com/forums.php?topicId=9082&pgnum=1 Of the two events, if you have to choose, please join us for the Storm the Bastille, it will be big, it will be public, it will be televised, it will be powerful! Stephen Box 323-962-6540 office 323-864-7586 cell http://twitter.com/BikeWriters http://tinyurl.com/ck9uvc http://BikeWritersCollective.com <http://www.bikewriterscollective.com/> <http://midnightridazz.com/forums.php?topicId=9064><http://midnightridazz.com/forums.php?topicId=9064>

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bike talk wants to keep up with you on Twitter
by Twitter 26 Apr '09

26 Apr '09

To find out more about Twitter, visit the link below: http://twitter.com/i/d70f825198721dd8ef98c569ae24bb56571c71ce Thanks, -The Twitter Team About Twitter Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status. What are you doing? What are your friends doing—right now? With Twitter, you may answer this question over SMS or the Web and the responses are shared between contacts. This message was sent by a Twitter user who entered your email address. If you'd prefer not to receive emails when other people invite you to Twitter, click here: http://twitter.com/i/optout/7c48cb107eda9c6576dca90aee923cb23466c4b6

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Bike Talk today!
by bike talk 25 Apr '09

25 Apr '09

Hi, Call in today, 10 am-noon, with your bike news, events, info, or questions. There's a lot going on, so maybe you know something about it. (213) 252-0998, or my #, (310) 428-4222 -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! on kpfk: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html or see what's new with us at biketalk.us

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Service projects at your organizations?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 24 Apr '09

24 Apr '09

Hey All, Hope everything is going well for everyone as spring rears it's green head, and the snow melts away... We've had a few groups contact us looking to do some type of service project. In the past, we've cobbled together something for the kids to do (so far, the groups have all been classrooms, or extracurricular groups, etc) based on the shop's needs that week or that day. I'd really love to package the options for service project groups, so that we have some things for them to do planned out ahead of time, so when groups call, we can just pull out that project and work on it. I'm wondering if any of you have something like this that's planned out ahead of time, or do you just see what's needed and work on that? Thanks! josh.

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Announcing MoBo Board Elections for 2009-2010
by MoBo Bicycle Co-op 24 Apr '09

24 Apr '09

Attention all MoBo members: As you may know, the current governing body of the co-op is the interim board. This May, MoBo will have its first ever election to determine who will be on the official board for 2008-2009. The highest nine vote-getters will be winners of the one year term. The only eligibility requirements are membership in good standing (having paid the twenty dollar membership fee for the year) and a dedication to the co-op and the co-op's mission and vision (please see Mobobicyclecoop.org for both!). The responsibilities of the board include both the day-to-day running of the co-op and long term planning for its future. These are exciting times for MoBo and the cycling community; becoming a board member is a surefire way of being right in the thick of it and maintaining the co-op's momentum. Everyone who wants to give back as much as they can to the co-op is encouraged to run, as a hearty dose of participatory democracy will be healthy for the co-op. Not to scare anyone off, but know that board members are required to attend a two hour board meeting every other week, and actively participate in or chair at least one committee; it is a serious time commitment. Board members are required to log 20 hours each month in the volunteer binder. The election itself will be held by secret ballot during open shop hours on Sunday May 17, Tuesday May 19, and Wednesday May 20. During these days, ballots will be given to any paid member who so desires. The member's name will then be crossed off a list to prevent double voting. Any member who has joined prior to the election's beginning may vote; memberships may be renewed at any point. To declare candidacy or to ask any questions, e-mail mobogovernance(a)gmail.com by May 9 at 5 PM. Include your full name, contact info, and a platform statement. Names of candidates and their statements will be posted in the co-op and on the website as they are submitted, but no declarations of candidacy will be accepted after May 9 at 5 PM. Please be brief and positive- suggested prompts are "What experience do you have with MoBo?", "Where do you see MoBo going?", and "How do you feel you can contribute to MoBo?". Please attach a recent picture of yourself. Platforms may not be longer than one single spaced page, including a picture. We are really looking forward to seeing your platforms! Our best, The Governance Committee -- MoBo Bicycle Co-op a project of The Village Green Foundation 1415 Knowlton Ave Northside Cincinnati, OH

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Fwd: PDF copy of the RFI
by bike talk 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

Email from a supporter: On February 25, 2009 the City of Los Angeles issued a Request for Information for a Public Bicycle-Sharing Program for Los Angeles. Letters of Interest were due on April 2, 2009 and they are currently under review at the City of Los Angeles D.O.T. offices. If you would like to see a public bicycle sharing program here in Los Angeles please write a letter of support to the Bicycle Program Senior Project Coordinator asap. The coordinator is planning to report to the Transportation Committee sometime in May or June. Please keep your messages professional and positive. Despite the numerous issues that frustrate cyclists in Los Angeles this city office has talented, good people who are trying to help our cause. They need our support to improve cycling conditions in the city. Please mention that you are writing in support of a Public Bicycle-Sharing Program for Los Angeles. Mail letters of support to: G. Michelle Mowery Sr. Project Coordinator - Bicycle Program Mail Stop 753 100 S. Main Street, 10th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012 http://www.bicyclela.org/ Email letters of support to: Michelle.Mowery(a)lacity.org Attached please find a copy of the RFI in PDF format. It would be cool to include this on our site for people who are interested to review. Thanks, Brad Gavigan gavigan(a)mac.com -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! on kpfk: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html or see what's new with us at biketalk.us

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editing skills?
by bike talk 20 Apr '09

20 Apr '09

Hi everyone. Last time I asked for people with talents to design flyers for bike talk, I got a couple of really interesting designs. Now I'd like to ask if anyone has some audio editing skills. Last Saturday's show includes an interview with Gary Fisher and some other good stuff, so if you want to take a crack at it and clean it up, just download it here: https://download.yousendit.com/WnBSUXV1YSs4Q1IzZUE9PQ and send it back. I'm sure Jim C will show his appreciation with some bike parts and on-air mention. Thanks! -Nick -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! on kpfk: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html or see what's new with us at biketalk.us

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