TheThinkTank September 2009

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

53 participants
35 discussions

Re: [TheThinkTank] Community Partners Bike Library
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

Hi Jason, Congratulations. The City of Boulder is looking to start a public paid bike program--similar to Velib in Paris, most likely-- sometime soon. They've scheduled a roundtable discussion about it next week, I believe. I won't be at the meeting with the city, but I was at a previous, not-open-to-the-public meeting with some city staff, when we went over concerns about a potential project here. We did a little research, and I wasn't convinced--nor am I now--that these programs are sustainable in a long term way (more than 2 or 3 years.) I think the maintenance and transport of bikes (from the bottoms of hills to the tops) is more expensive than the program can bring or has brought in any previous program that I'm aware of. Of course, if I'm wrong, I would ABSOLUTELY love to hear about success stories. I'm not talking about first or second generation public bike programs. "First generation" would be the traditional "free bike" programs, where bikes are fixed and just left around busy places for people to use for free. "Second generation" public bike programs are the ones where you have one main check out and check in point. Similar to how one would rent a bike from a bike shop. You wouldn't be able to turn it in across town. I mean the third generation, or "check a bike out from various kiosks around town and turn them in at another kiosk across town" model. Of course, third generational models are all still new enough that they've not been around long enough to have been proven workable or sustainable. Do keep us posted with how it goes with Sibley and the bikes and the process. I'm sure documenting the process will be valuable for other groups looking to do similar work. Thanks, and good luck! josh. On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Stuart O Anderson <soa(a)ri.cmu.edu> wrote: > This is great news! - Sibley is the place where I first learned to > work with bikes. > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jason Tanzman <jason.tanzman(a)gmail.com> > Date: Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 4:36 PM > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Community Partners Bike Library > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > Hey everybody, > > I just wanted to send an email and let folks know about an exciting > project that Sibley Bike Depot (St. Paul, MN) is beginning. Sibley > received funding in full on Tuesday for a $200,000 program to run a > Community Partners Bike Library! The funds were approved by Transit > for Livable Communities, a not-for-profit transit advocacy group in > charge of allocating a $21 million federal Non-motorized Transit Pilot > program in the Twin Cities. > > This funding will allow Sibley to build up a fleet of 200 bicycles – > outfitted for transportation purposes with a rack, fenders, lights, > lock, and helmet – to lend out to community members for up to six > months. The bike lending will be coordinated through Community > Partners – other agencies, such as affordable housing organizations, > job placement centers, homeless shelters, and more – who will help > identify patrons who will benefit from reliable transportation. > Through this program, Sibley hopes to increase the availability of > bicycles within working class and poor communities, thus helping to > increase access to bicycles and diversify the bicycling movement in > the Twin Cities! > > I am interested to hear any thoughts/feedback/suggestions from anyone > who has 1) coordinated a bike library program; or, 2) handled large > federal or other government grants (rumored to be a tremendous pain in > the ass). > > Jason Tanzman > > -- > Sibley Bike Depot > Volunteer Coordinator > 612-232-2737 (cell) > 651-222-2080 (shop) > www.sibleybikedepot.org > Sibley Bike Depot's mission is to be an open, accessible space to > educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping > to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us > to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities! > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Thanks for supporting Community Cycles, Boulder's first and only non-profit bike shop! Ask me how you can sponsor a Youth Earn-A-Bike student for just $100. www.communitycycles.org

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Traffic skills offerings for new riders through our shops?
by Edward G France 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Oh you crazy guys and gals! Here's a quick process point and a then a serious question below. I appreciate the underlying humor in the bike bickering (The Gross post) here, and now that probably no one is reading this, and that I'm procrastinating more immediate tasks here at Bici Centro (in S.B., California) I'll put in my thoughts. First off, we are all professionals here whether paid/unpaid, sleeping in abandoned buildings or starting a familly with a morgage, and we should treat people at our shop and on this disscussion list with respect ALWAYS, so I would reccomend that lively disagreement emails begin: "I can see how (person x) makes this point, but I really disagree. The point I would like to offer is..." At our shop- and I imagine all of ours, we deal with some real characters, sometimes threatening and belligerent. For this reason in our line of work/volunteerism 'de-escallation' skills are a must. In other words If you can't calmly and politely send out of the shop the mentally ill person who just called one of your volunteers a 'fuck-face' then you probably have no place in a community bike shop, or at least in ours here in Santa Barbara. We should probably illustrate the same interpersonal skills via email. *The Real POINT:* While Jonathan's point about anything getting more people on bikes is a good one, the conversation doesn't end there. Whether a rider is a fashionista buying a bike from urban outfitters (which by the way, is a pretty cool technology, why not let people buy bikes in the colors they want?) or a struggling day laborer, (or a fashionista day laborer, which we have a lot of, actually), New bicyclists can be dangerous not because of fixed gear risks but because of traffic and the challenge or sharing the road. When people bicycle unsafely in endangers them, and all of us, because road rage is real, and motorists who feel disrespected or can't read riders predictibly, are probably more likely to take risks next to cyclists. We're not in Copenhagen after all, and it is about 10 times more dangerous to ride in the U.S. then Northern Europe. We have a paradox that faces us. More riders does equal greater safety for all riders(eventually), but in the meantime, putting people on bikes without a good concept of 'street skills' is unfair to the cyclists we claim to support. (or do you disagree?) In short, and perhaps as a different discussion chain: In what ways do your shops try to connect riders to bicycle safety education. (street skills training specifically). For example in Santa Barbara we partner with our Bicycle Coalition and help fill seats in the League of American Bicyclists Classes, which are paid 10 hour workshops. The format isn't perfect, but we are really working to evolve our education program - going so far as to launch a chicago style 'bicycle ambassadors' program with bike buddies and other non-bike gear resources for aspiring cyclists. Here's our street skills sign up page for reference: http://www.sbbike.org/CycleSmart/apply.html I'd love to see some answers and some (hopefully respectful) disagreement! by the way, My favorite point from the last email chain: > Bikes are poetry, let people read what they like! > > > -- all the Best, -- Ed France, Bici Centro Director www.bicicentro.org 805 617-3255 .......__o .......\ <, ....( )/ ( )"We may go to the Moon, but that is not very far. The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us." -Charles de Gaulle

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Geared hub agenda!
by an undercover cop 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

interestingly enough, the luster seems to be fading from the fixed gear mania here in chicago. i work in the streets, and so i spend a lot of time scoping the bikes folks ride. (so much so that i think people think i'm checking *them* out!) as bikes become more and more popular for joe b. commuter, i see lots and lots of "bros" (identified purely by dress code, haircut and/or millinery) riding slick, brand-new, store-bought single speeds. two years ago, it was fixie conversions. last year it was store-bought fixies (schwinn madisons, raleigh streets, etc.). but this year, i've noticed that they all have single-speed freewheels... which makes the bike even *more* of a fashion statement: "i've got the look without the trade-off!" but shit, that's fine by me. because i know that these dudes (and yeah, it's mostly dudes, but that may be the result of where i work more than anything) aren't riding wildly inappropriate bicycles--thereby endangering themselves and others. my guess is that the local shops' sales forces got wise. probably after a bunch of disappointed yups-to-be traded in their rear wheels. of course, the flip side of the increasing number of jane q. citizen bike commuters is the dilution of solidarity amongst cyclist. not until this year have i been yelled at by bike commuters when i'm working my pedicab, and this season, it's happened twice... but that's a different story entirely.* -ben in chicago *one that ends with the full-force application of my brakes, a mild rear-ending, and "if you're going to tell me how to ride my bike, at least give me a safe following distance, ya knob!" hee.

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experienced bike mechanics as volunteers - issues
by Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Hi All, Since we opened shop I've observed that our best volunteers are those that hardly know anything about the mechanical side of bikes but have enthusiasm and a desire to learn. They end up being the most patient with customers and eventually the best teachers/passers on of bike knowledge. On the flip side are experienced bike mechanics. Most, but not all, are pushy, completely disregard our "hands off the tools philosophy" and don't understand when we ask them to "please attend volunteer orientation" if you would like to volunteer as a mechanic here ("but i'm already a mechanic!"). Recently a bike mechanic of thirty years came in because he heard about us and wanted to observe what went on. To make a long story short, he did everything BUT observe and I had to ask/tell/almost yell at him several times to let people in the shop "do it themselves". The last time I told him to "let him do it himself" he responded with "but i have so much knowledge to share!", to which I replied "here we let people get that knowledge themselves and don't watch over them constantly or take tools out of their hands", which he didn't seem to understand ("what if they make a mistake and something breaks?!"). To lighten the mood (they'll probably laugh, or cry...), bring a hammer out and explain that this is your "rim straightener" or "frame alignment tool". My questions to the other collectives out there: 1.) Do you have a similar issue? or is it just us, haha 2.) How have you gotten experienced mechanics (like the above example) to "buy-in" to your system if at first they resisted? Brian Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19802 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

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Gross.
by N.O.Bike Project 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Hey y'all, This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking about the commodification of bike culture, and the way that capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like to see what's cool these days. I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. Enjoy. http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ Victor Plan B

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 37, Issue 12
by Weston Edwards 10 Sep '09

10 Sep '09

Ha! Looks like Urban Outfitters is just a channel through which Republic is selling bikes: http://www.republicbike.com/build.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=1 (I have been seeing advertizements in my email for Republic for a long time.) Sincerely, Weston Edwards Director University of Utah Bicycle Collective www.ubike.org On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM, <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org>wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Please Explain Fixie Fixation! (Wendy Monroe) > 2. Re: Gross. (N.O.Bike Project) > 3. Re: Please Explain Fixie Fixation! (Boson Au) > 4. Re: Gross. (Boson Au) > 5. Re: Gross. (Jonathan Morrison) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:39:36 +0200 > From: Wendy Monroe <wendy.monroe(a)usermail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Please Explain Fixie Fixation! > Message-ID: <3AFA156B-E277-4662-84C0-4A5BCED8E1A8(a)usermail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > This reminds me to ask something I've been wondering for awhile: why > is riding with a fixed cog relatively fashionable, compared to riding > with > a. a one-speed coaster brake hub, or > b. an internally-geared rear hub? > > Please educate me! > > Wendy Monroe > ( 'no official name for project yet', Amsterdam) > > > On 10 Sep 2009, at 19:04, N.O.Bike Project wrote: > > > Hey y'all, > > > > This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking > > about the commodification of bike culture, and the way that > > capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like > > to see what's cool these days. > > > > I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. > > > > Enjoy. > > > > http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ > > > > Victor > > > > Plan B > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:57:27 -0500 > From: "N.O.Bike Project" <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Gross. > Message-ID: <4AA94C17.90003(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Jonathan, > > No, that's not it at all. > > I have a bit more of a problem with popularizing flip-flop hubs without > conscientious effort to explain the inherent risk in operation in the > interest of (huge)profit. > > But thanks for the generalization. > > Best, > Victor > > Jonathan Morrison wrote: > > I agree. I don't want everyone riding bikes, they are just for me and > > my cool friends! Now I have to drive a car because it is the > > "alternative" thing to do. > > > > In all seriousness, this will just end up with more butts on > > bikes. Hopefully you don't care if they bought a bike from a > > collective, a local bike shop, department store, urban outfitters, or > > the other places that will soon jump on the bandwagon -- as long as > > they riding a bike. > > > > If capitalism makes it cool to ride a bike, cool to be vegetarian, > > cool to shop local, or whatever initiaitive that would kill to be in > > the position cycling is right now -- then I say bleed the beast. > > Nothing, big or small, is perfect and there is bloodshed in every > > revolution, so pick your battles wisely. > > > > BTW, This is the 5th time it has been sent to me via various parts of > > the cycling community email lists. That is the kind of advertising > > that Urban Outfitters must dream of. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Jonathan "I am bitter because I knew the band before they were > > popular" Morrison > > > > > > On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM, N.O.Bike Project > > <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com <mailto:nolabikeproject@gmail.com>> wrote: > > > > Hey y'all, > > > > This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start > > thinking about the commodification of bike culture, and the way > > that capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all > > would like to see what's cool these days. > > > > I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. > > > > Enjoy. > > > > http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ > > > > Victor > > > > Plan B > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > <mailto:Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org> > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > <mailto:TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org> > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:06:21 -0400 > From: Boson Au <instructions(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Please Explain Fixie Fixation! > Message-ID: > <27f849560909101206q657d626em32b37a1ada6c3e08(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > there's defintely a romanticism of riding with fixed cogs. It is a more > mechanically simpler design and therefore, conjures up the connotations of > 'purity' that is really fashionable. > > > > > On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 2:39 PM, Wendy Monroe <wendy.monroe(a)usermail.com > >wrote: > > > This reminds me to ask something I've been wondering for awhile: why is > > riding with a fixed cog relatively fashionable, compared to riding with > > a. a one-speed coaster brake hub, or > > b. an internally-geared rear hub? > > > > Please educate me! > > > > Wendy Monroe > > ( 'no official name for project yet', Amsterdam) > > > > > > On 10 Sep 2009, at 19:04, N.O.Bike Project wrote: > > > > Hey y'all, > >> > >> This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking > about > >> the commodification of bike culture, and the way that capitalism always > >> seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like to see what's cool > these > >> days. > >> > >> I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. > >> > >> Enjoy. > >> > >> http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ > >> > >> Victor > >> > >> Plan B > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Thethinktank mailing list > >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: > >> > >> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > >

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Fwd: [People] Ghost Bike Removal and Reappearance
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 10 Sep '09

10 Sep '09

Apologies to those of you also on the Alliance list. Thought this was too cool to not forward. I thought I’d pass this story along to the list. Just over a week ago, our Mayor’s office had a ghost bike removed from public space without alerting the family of the cyclist that was killed. This got some decent press attention here, and is helping us make additional improvements to the intersection where the crash occurred. The family is understandably quite upset at this callous treatment and despite repeated attempts to contact his office about the removal he has still not responded. The bike was removed at the request of a local business owner after about a year of being locked up in the same place. Apparently, the business owner that thought it was unsightly even though the family and friends of the cyclist did a good job of maintaining it. It had become an important symbol to the bike community and reminded us all to be careful. Early this morning, in response to the removal of the ghost bike, 22 new ghost bikes appeared at the same intersection. It was quite a sight to see. Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/biketrip2006/sets/72157622204193927/ Eric WABA Eric Gilliland Executive Director Washington Area Bicyclist Association 1803 Connecticut Ave NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20009 p) 202-518-0524 f) 202-518-0936 e) gill(a)waba.org w) www.waba.org

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Re: [TheThinkTank] bikebike 2010
by lunch＠bikepirates.com 09 Sep '09

09 Sep '09

Hey Thinktank, We are very excited to be hosting the International Bike!Bike! conference here in Toronto next year. We will be having an initial organizational meeting sometime in the next few weeks and will decide then on the exact date. Most likely it will be at the end of July or sometime early August. Care packages will be sent via snailmail in the spring, so if you did not receive one last year (like if you are just starting a new project/shop) you should submit your address/contact to the Wiki as well as emailing it to us here (info(a)bikepirates.com). We know that crossing the border may be an issue - we have done it three years running - and may require a bit of work for many of you. But you have 11 months to get things processed. The delegates from MOBO have offered to help anyone needing assistance in processing or applying for their passport - they say it is not as difficult as you may think! We'll let you know when the website and forums are up and running. We would love to see more people talking over the website this year. Thanks to everyone in Minneapolis and all over the continent for making Bike!Bike! 2009 a great success and wonderful experience. Love, Ainsley, Geoff, and the Bike Pirate crew.

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Community Bicycle Programs in Amsterdam?
by Anthony Siracusa 07 Sep '09

07 Sep '09

Hello all-- I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated! I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space. Any other suggestions are welcome! Best, -- Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org

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Re: [TheThinkTank] bike bike 09 on Flickr?
by Kristen L. Abdullah 05 Sep '09

05 Sep '09

Just posted my photos on flickr. the tag is bikebike 2009, and my username is krissyabdullah. hope you all like! On Thu Sep 03 03:04:21 EDT 2009, joshua muir <muirjoshua(a)gmail.com> wrote: > uploading some photos now. . . great to see you Boson. Great to > see a > whole bunch of other as well- Hopefully i'll make it to Toronto > next year. > > > josh > bike church santa cruz > > On Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 4:54 AM, Boson Au <instructions(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> So I uploaded my personal bike bike pics up on flickr w the tag >> bikebike2009 >> >> if no one objects, perhaps we can all do that for this year's >> pics? I'd >> love to show people back home how awesome this was. >> >> -Boson Au >> velocipede bike project >> baltimore md >> velocipedebikeproject.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> >> > > > -- Joshua Muir > muirjoshua(a)gmail.com > > Frances Cycles -- www.francescycles.com > Handbuilt cycling framesets > Touring, Track, Road,Cross, and Cycletrucks for hauling any > distance > (831) 469-3369 > > The Bicycle Church Collective > Community Self-Service Cycle Repair > 3pm to 7pm everyday except Sunday > 703 Pacific Ave (enter on Spruce St) > Santa Cruz, CA 95060 > (831) 425-2453 > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > Kristen Abdullah kabdullah(a)ufl.edu

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TheThinkTank September 2009