TheThinkTank June 2010

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

34 participants
24 discussions

Federal Funding - Sibley Bike Depot Bike Library
by Jason Tanzman 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul, MN (www.sibleybikedepot.org) recently received a $193,000 federal grant as part of the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program, which provided roughly $25 million each to 4 communities (Minneapolis, MN; Sheboygan, WI; Columbia, MO; Davis, CA) to promote biking and walking. The funding - allocated as part or the 2005 federal transportation bill - mostly went to large infrastructure projects like bike lanes, racks, and government programs, but in their last round of funding they gave out a few "small" grants for education/programming. The funding we got was to implement a Bike Library program - we're building a fleet of 220 bikes, equipped for transportation purposes with rack, fenders, lights, lock, helmet, and bike map to lend out to low-income communities for 6-month loan periods. In addition to bikes, we provide classes in safe cycling, bike maintenance, group rides, and really whatever programming the participants want. We are specifically focusing on making reliable bikes available to communities traditionally marginalized in the bike and transportation world, including women, immigrants, and people of color. We're lending all bikes out through partner agencies - organizations such as affordable housing agencies, job placement centers, community organizations, and more. To see a bit of press coverage we've received for the program, check out http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/89886292.html . The current federal Transportation Bill is expired (it keeps getting short extensions until they pass a new bill) - hopefully Obama and Ray LaHood will pass something that creates more opportunities to support grassroots educational programs as well as infrastructure to promote biking, walking, and transit. Maybe something will happen after the midterm elections...but I definitely see possibility in seeking federal dollars for community education programs. The only caveat - getting a federal contract is a bit of a nightmare. All federal awards are done on a reimbursement basis - i.e. you spend $20,000 then they write you a check 3 months later - which can be hard for small non-profits (we had to get a $25,000 line of credit from a local non-profit bank). There are a number of other hoops that can make it a challenge - but I think there are a lot of potential benefits. The jury is still out as to whether this program was good for Sibley to get involved with... 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!

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TE money
by Sarah Green 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

Has anyone received Transportation Enhancement money for educational programs... in this scenario obviously regarding bicycles? I am proposing a program here in Delaware and the guys at DelDOT want to hear from another organization who's received a TE grant for something similar. If you have gotten a TE grant or know an organization who has, please let me know! Thanks, Sarah Urban Bike Project

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volunteer hours
by Sarah Green 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

sorry if this is a double post but- this goes out to any organization who does work trade... ie, people can buy things in the shop in exchange for volunteering. -how do you delegate jobs to volunteers who don't know how to work on bikes? -what jobs do you have for that kind of volunteer (drop-in) to do? -is there a space separate from functioning Open Shop space where they work? We have thought about this idea as both a good way to compensate volunteers and also a good incentive to recruit volunteer hours, but we have found that the delegation of tasks, the increased volume in the shop, and the lack of bicycle related knowledge in volunteers has made this more work for us than it is worth. Any ideas or suggestions would be welcomed! Sarah Urban Bike Project

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subscribe
by Sarah Green 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

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TheThinkTank June 2010