November 2013 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by director 02 May '23

02 May '23

Hey All, We just spent some time and redid the tag we use to track repairs on a bike. I'm sure your shops are similar to ours in that many mechanics of varying skill levels will work on a single bike before it's distributed back to the world for use. This make it challenging to ensure a standard of quality on any given bike leaving the shop. As we fleshed out the tag we realized that it could function loosely as a curriculum. For most mechanics, especially students we suggest starting at the top and working down the list. I've come to realize that no two mechanics will do things in the exact same way, everyone has their own style. We've been suggesting that folks do the first two items in order and then address the rest of the repairs at their discretion. Of course we couldn't put everything on a half page so we had to make compromises. You'll notice as you get closer to the bottom of the tag the categories are a little more broad and don't get into the finer details. We're working on a final check list that will include finer details like checking bearing play, tire wear, fine tune derailleurs and brakes... The final checklist won't hang on the bike but it'll be around the shop and part of our training. Stay tuned for this. We print these double sided, cut them in half and laminate them. We hang them on the handlebars and fill them out with a Sharpie. When the bike is done and gone we clean the Sharpie off with 90% rubbing alcohol and a rag. This allows us to use one tag over and over and over. We've been using these tags for about 2 weeks now and it's been awesome. Communication between mechanics is much clearer and bikes are getting done faster. It's really helped orient Earn-A-Bike students to what needs to be done next on their bike. Anyway if you think it's a good idea feel free to adapt it to your shops needs. -- Ride On! Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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no boys allowed zine from bikebike?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 27 Sep '18

27 Sep '18

hey all, i'm looking to get in touch with the person who wrote/published the "no boys allowed" zine which was passed out at bikebike in san francisco. it was part of one of the oppression and gender identity issues workshops. we're looking to start a women's night here at community cycles, and i'd like to scan my copy as a pdf and email it to potential volunteers, as well as make some copies to have in the shop... if you're on the list, or if you know the person who wrote it (her name escapes me), please get in touch with me off list... thanks! josh. community cycles boulder

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members and sign up database software
by Jesse Cooper 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Hey Folks! So at Our Community Bikes in Vancouver, we're thinking it's time to set up a proper sign in / sign out system, combined with a membership and volunteer database. Ideally we would like to know what software is out there that can track people coming in and using our space, a simple laptop or desktop kiosk where folks can type in info, and it would enter our database. Also to serve as a database that members can register into, and again wherein volunteers can sign up, and log their hours, and tasks accomplished. sooo.. any ideas? Jesse Cooper

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Utica Bike Rescue is online...for real now
by Matt VanSlyke 22 Nov '13

22 Nov '13

ThinkTank: Just want to spread the word because we're super excited about our fresh, new website. No more FB-only for us and what a relief! Check us out at www.UticaBikeRescue.org. And PS - if you need web design work, the developer who did our site is very, very good and is a very community-minded guy. He gives a lot of personal attention to the sites he builds and hosts and offers really nice deals for non-profits. Check out their portfolio at www.nosheepdesigns.com -- *Matt VanSlyke* *Utica Bike Rescue* *714 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13502* *315.525.9554* *matt(a)uticabikerescue.org <matt(a)uticabikerescue.org>* *www.uticabikerescue.org <http://www.uticabikerescue.org/>* *www.facebook.com/uticabikerescue <http://www.facebook.com/uticabikerescue>* *Learn. Earn. Ride.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Shop market analysis
by summitcyclingcenter＠yahoo.com 22 Nov '13

22 Nov '13

Hi According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, the average LBS grosses $700,000.00/yr. However, you have to dial it down to your local market. IMO, most community bike shops don't come close to competing on dollar volume. Look at your LBS(S), who are their customers? In our situation, we are in the inner city. There are no shops in this city. All are out in suburban communities. They are marketing to those with more disposable income. They sell recreation. We sell transportation and sustainable living. SCC is not in competition with our LBSs Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile ----- Reply message ----- From: scott(a)gknightride.org To: <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Shop market analysis Date: Fri, Nov 22, 2013 12:19 pm Hi all - I was wondering if anyone who has a bike co-op or non-profit/community shop looked at bike-related sales tax revenues before and through the existence of the shop, or done any market research to show that shops like these are market expanding, and do not necessarily compete with the local traditional for-profit shops. We have several opportunities to go after some economic advancement grants, and would love to show this. as well, we would love to use this data over the years to track local growth of cycling sales as one proxy for participation. Thanks! Scott ConlinBoardmemberBicycle LongmontLongmont, CO

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Bike Rodeo Kit
by Matt VanSlyke 20 Nov '13

20 Nov '13

ThinkTank: I am writing a grant to fund the purchase of a kit to set up and conduct bike rodeos community-wide. Can anyone point me in a good direction so that I can develop an itemized list of needed supplies and costs? I have a good idea of what we need but I want to include a very detailed budget with specific items included. I think I remember seeing some info on the Wiki but that's obviously an issue right now due to the malware situation. Anyone have a good source? Thanks, Matt -- *Matt VanSlyke* *Utica Bike Rescue* *714 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13502* *315.525.9554* *matt(a)uticabikerescue.org* *www.uticabikerescue.org* *www.facebook.com/uticabikerescue* *Learn. Earn. Ride.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Winterizing Resources
by chris turner 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

Hi Sam, We've done lots of winter cycling clinics in the past, but haven't developed any resources that we can share. You're already planning on hitting a lot of what we've found to be the important stuff (studded tires, cleaning/lubing, how to dress). Do you plan on teaching folks to stud their own tires? That's always been popular, and it makes it easier for some folks to start riding through the winter. Wanda mentioned this already, but I want to second the importance of talking about winter routes. It's been my experience at that this has been the biggest barrier for folks that show up for winter clinics. Typically, these folks ride the rest of the year, but their normal routes are uncomfortable to ride (or are not ride-able) in the winter. It's really helpful to suggest some alternate routes for folks whose commute paths get much worse with the weather. Chris Turner Off the Chain Anchorage, AK

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POS for a Non-profit Bike Shop
by Σαμαν Χαριμπ 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

Hi Folks, I'm volunteering at a community bike shop in East Vancouver, BC, called Kickstand <https://www.facebook.com/Eastvan.Kickstand> . We are looking for a POS to use here. What POS are using and what do you suggest we should use? Did any of you attend the Bike!Bike! <https://www.bikebike.org/> conference workshop about different POS systems? Also is anyone using Erply<http://erply.com/windows-point-of-sale-pos-download/>? What do you think of that? Bike love from Vancouver, Saw-mon

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Articles of incorporation and bylaws
by Justin Pogge 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

after over 10 years of running without any sort of tax status or business license, Krank It Up Community Bicycle Project has decided to apply for 501(c)3 status. we run as a collective and we want to create bylaws that reflect that model. i know that some shops had there articles and bylaws posted on the bikecollective wiki site, but these documents seem currently unaccessible. would you be willing to email these documents to us to help us create our bylaws? thanks Justin oldfieldcycles(a)gmail.com -- www.oldfieldcycles.blogspot.com

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Legal Liability for Bikes Donated and then given out for free?
by mike r 15 Nov '13

15 Nov '13

Hello, I'm in NY the "litigation state" and am trying to get my former employer, a BIG Ten employer to organize a bike collection event at their local manufacturing facility. The company has DEEP pockets so they get concerned about the potential for liability in the event that a donated bike ends up injuring someone due to defects that existed when it was donated, or that occurred when it was repaired before it was given away. Let me know your experience with this, from legal prospective, please don't reply with complaints about the "system" as we all know the system s**ks! Thanks, Mike

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