I do think every shop/program should be prepared to go mobile if money or
politics does not allow a rentable/buyable space.
The streets/trails/parks are _public space_, ideal for public bicycle
activity. You can go to the area in need, and post a schedule.
Bio bus is understandable, bike power ideal (then no license,
registration, fuel and the demo power of biking a small shop has huge
positive ripple effects). Parking a bikable rig on the street overnight
brings up interesting 'legal' issues. In missoula, a trailer or vehicle
must be registered to be left on the street- I'd fight that restriction if
it arose though, since bikes have almost zero negative impact.
We have parked haywagons full of bikes on the streets for a few days with
free parts and instructions for trailer building.
-Bob g, free cycles missoula
---
adam schwartz wrote:
> We recently lost our physical workshop/classroom/storage space due to
the
> economy and are considering the concept of going mobile. We already
developed a mobile bike shop based out of a landscaping trailer (photos
attached), however due to a conflict with our previous partner
> organization
> (the Univ of Maryland) and our main funder our mobile bike shop was
siezed
> and its future is currently being negotiated by lawyers. Its really sad and
> ugly but we are committed to moving forward despite the loss. We have
now
> formed our own 501c3 in incredible time and have fully terminated our
partnership with the university. Anyway, I wanted to hear about anyone
who
> has had success with a mobile bike program. We are currently
considering
> using a biodiesel school bus to house our operations as cheap space is very
> hard to come by in the Washington DC area. Thanks for your input and
ideas.
>
> --
> Adam Schwartz
> The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop, ECO Inc.
> rideyourbicycle(a)gmail.com