September 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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Seeking help with volunteer training systems
by Dan Hock 10 Oct '13

10 Oct '13

Hello All, I work at Bike Recycle Vermont<http://www.localmotion.org/programs/bikerecycle/> in Burlington,(you guessed it) Vermont. Our shop structure is all volunteer with the exception of myself. Our program, in short, accepts donated bikes and, with volunteer help, refurbishes them so that they can be sold exclusively to low-income Vermonters. Personally, I have been struggling with training unskilled volunteers that are new to our program. I have many great people coming through the door with great intentions, but limited mechanical aptitude. Our volunteer retention is down because new folks tend to feel helpless and frustrated. In an effort to address this, I am going to start offering structured mechanics training to new volunteers. I am coming to the list with a few questions: - Are there other programs out there that require unskilled volunteers interested in volunteering as mechanics to go through mechanics trainings? If so, shed light on what structure you are using? - If we are investing over 10 hours in each prospective volunteer, is it reasonable to charge participants or ask them to commit a set amount of hours to our program in exchange for the class? If so, how much is fair in either time or money? - Does anyone have any curriculum and/or course materials (diagrams, glossaries, etc) for participants that they would be willing to share? - Are there any lessons to be learned/advice to be given to someone in my position. Thanks in advance for your time! Dan -- Dan Hock Bike Recycle Vermont Program Manager w. 802.264.9687 Bike Recycle Vermont <http://www.localmotion.com/bikerecycle> 664 Riverside Ave. Burlington Learn to ride a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain

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Dollar value of Volunteer time at Bike Valet or in general?
by Ryan Kragerud 28 Sep '13

28 Sep '13

We're wrapping up much of our summer programming here in Longmont, CO and I'm trying to determine the "dollar value" of our services. Currently we don't pay our volunteers to do bike parking and we don't charge events for this service either. We struggled to fill many of our bike parking shifts this summer, so, our board will be discussing developing a charge for bike parking and rental of our rack/bike valet in a box program. In order to do so I'm wondering - dear Think Tank members.... What is the per hour value of volunteer time for bike valet/parking at events (or in general) in your area? thx. -- "We all do better when we all do better" - Paul Wellstone

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Bike Infrastructure question - comparable cities??
by Andrew L 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

hey ThinkTank, somewhat separate from my work at Troy Bike Rescue, I am part of an appointed citizens committee on alternative transportation (an idea our city is just sort of coming around to). we have 0 bike lanes, few bike racks, and about 11 sharrows (under a year old). our task is primarily research-oriented, and I am searching for comparable cities and hoping the ThinkTank might help me. Do any of you have suggestions of cities with the following characteristics: -population: 50 - 100,000 -small "bike culture" community -sizeable low-income population -investing time/money/energy into bicycles as a way of turning the city around. -demonstrable progress on that front i know they are out there, but most examples are of much bigger cities. I appreciate any suggestions! Thanks!! Andrew

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Hello, Nashville?
by Matthew VanSlyke 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

I'm wondering if there is a community bike shop in Nashville. I see Revolution (Memphis) listed as the only shop in TN. Hello, Nashville, do you hear me? If so, please contact me by email off the listserv, for everyone's inbox benefit. Matt VanSlyke Utica Bike Rescue

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 85, Issue 13
by chris turner 25 Sep '13

25 Sep '13

We're going to bring a pile of stickers for Off the Chain and screen to make shirts at Bike!Bike!. Bring a blank shirt. -chris Off the Chain Bicycle Collective http://offthechainak.org On Wed, Sep 25, 2013 at 12:19 PM, < thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)lists.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)lists.bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Bike! Bike! Shirt Swap (director) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:10:39 -0600 > From: director <director(a)communitycycles.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike! Bike! Shirt Swap > Message-ID: > <CAKAQTJ= > NM1fCaqjPZuNUgZFHNzKdBe7+t1wxhTQT-03HM8PwqA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hey All, > I'm gonna bring a couple Community Cycles medium shirts and would love to > swap them for a medium shirt from your shop. > > Bring it! > > -- > 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> > Subscribe to our monthly e-news <http://eepurl.com/i7SLv> >

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Bike! Bike! Shirt Swap
by director 25 Sep '13

25 Sep '13

Hey All, I'm gonna bring a couple Community Cycles medium shirts and would love to swap them for a medium shirt from your shop. Bring it! -- 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> Subscribe to our monthly e-news <http://eepurl.com/i7SLv>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Floor Pump Recommendation
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 23 Sep '13

23 Sep '13

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Shop Setup - What does your shop do well? What does it do not so well?
by director 18 Sep '13

18 Sep '13

Hey All, I'll be doing a presentation on shop setup at Bike! Bike!. I'll be talking about Community Cycles and how we do shop setup. We're good at some things and not so good at others. One thing we struggle with is storing drop handle bars. Meanwhile we've finally figured out to handle tires effectively. I'm writing the list to ask you to send me no more than 2 photos from your shop. One of something you do well and another of something you could use help with. Please send your photos off list to director(a)communitycycles.org Thanks! -- 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> Subscribe to our monthly e-news <http://eepurl.com/i7SLv>

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Floor Pump Recommendation
by Andy Greif 18 Sep '13

18 Sep '13

Hi Folks, Over the year we have tried many different floor pumps with the pump heads not lasting more than a year. What brand and model floor pump has been the most reliable for you? We prefer floor pumps with the gauge close to the floor since the gauges don't bust when the pump falls over. We are okay with either smart head pumps or dual headed (Presta/Schrader) on opposite ends of the heads. Thanks, Andy Andy Greif, Executive Director Mailing: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005 Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford Shop Phone: 207-282-9700 Cell Phone: 207-229-8199 Website: www.communitybike.net <http://www.communitybike.net/> "Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow"

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Bike!Bike! 2013 Call Out for Workshop Proposals!
by Alisha Rae 17 Sep '13

17 Sep '13

Bike!Bike! starts in 2 weeks! We have a lot of wonderful workshops already set for this year. You can check them out on the bikebike.org website. You can also propose a workshop on the website as well. With that said: *We need more workshop proposals!* We specifically need workshops in: *Mechanics:* examples: Basic Bicycle Maintenance, Advanced Bicycle Maintenance, 3 speed hubs, Disc Brakes, Freak bikes, DIY welding. I know we have bicycle mechanics coming from all over. Please share your knowledge! *Arts & Crafts:* examples: How to make a pouch, How to make a cycling cap, DIY Bike Painting Tips, How to make a bike bag, How to make a top tube cover, diy designing and decorating your ride, How to make [a really cool thing you know how to make] out of bicycle parts. *We encourage individuals to share their skills and crafts with others. * *Youth Development within Bike culture:* *This track will focus on creating a space for youth and what structural and interpersonal foundations are needed to create and maintain that space. We will also look at how to deal with conflict and tough situations with our youth patrons. Also, this track is intended to all address how ageism, sexism, and racism has the ability to intersect and how we must deal with it within ourselves and with our youth (i.e. mostly white run shop in a mostly people of color community or working with young “girls”* and “boys”*) This track is intended to look at every aspect of youth development. Whether or not your shop has a youth track, is just a youth exclusive spot, or doesn’t have a youth sector at all , we as the riders, mechanics, and advocates of what each young person connects with and loves has a responsibility to do what it takes to interact and give back to all young people. Seriously now, we will need to pass the reigns to them so we need to invest in them. * * * *Food & Environmental Justice links to Bike Advocacy:* *examples: How to Build a Bicycle Powered blender, grinder, etc..., Reusing Bike parts to help your garden grow, Intersection of Bikes and managing farms.* * * Anti-oppression and Anti-racism Strategies and Development: *examples: Anti-oppression and Anti-Racism strategies, How is the bike community a gentrifying force, Any workshops on gentrification, combatting oppression in your community bike project, Accountability in a radical setting.* * * *Womin/LGBTQQ in Bie/Mechanics Culture:* *Some topics of discussion may include: womin/LGBTQQ--volunteer retention, dealing with both external and internal misogyny, racism, gender discrimination, transphobia etc.,---networking, WOC/QPOC voices and movements, teaching skills, dealing with tension or push back, etc. * Deadline for workshop proposals is September 25. We will also be leaving some workshop blocks open for impromptu workshops! If you have any questions or concerns or a proposal you can email me at arfeldman(a)gmail.com. See y'all in a couple weeks! -Alisha Rae

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Floor Pump Recommendation
by Bob Giordano 17 Sep '13

17 Sep '13

Great suggestions and experiences coming in on this topic. We've tried many pumps, and most can work well with proper use. Some keys we have learned: -pressure gauge is important -should remain consistent with locking device direction -keep some 'broken' pumps for parts -dual heads good for ease of use -consider a pump for kids, and one that can squeeze into small wheels -have a clearly marked area to store pumps -Bob Giordano, Free Cycles Missoula >> Over the year we have tried many different floor pumps with the pump heads not lasting more than a year. What brand and model floor pump has >> been the most reliable for you? We prefer floor pumps with the gauge close to the floor since the gauges don’t bust when the pump falls over. >> We are okay with either smart head pumps or dual headed >> (Presta/Schrader) on opposite ends of the heads. >> Thanks, >> Andy >> Andy Greif, Executive Director >> Mailing: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005 >> Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford >> Shop Phone: 207-282-9700 Cell Phone: 207-229-8199 >> Website: www.communitybike.net >> “Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow”

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Bike!Bike! 2013
by Plan B 11 Sep '13

11 Sep '13

Hey Folks, We're working hard at getting ready for Bike!Bike! 2013 down here in New Orleans and I just wanted totake a moment and address some issues with registration, conference events, and looming (extended)*__*deadlines*_._**_ _** We've pushed back the deadlines. *- If you need housing or would like to borrow a bike, you still have time. We need to have your completed registration and bike and housing request in by September 14th. That's it. That's as late as we can push it. *After September 14th, you can still request housing and a bikeand we'll do our best, we just can't guarantee anything. *You may score one or the other, but possibly not both. It depends. We're gonna do our best. *Billeting information for housing is already being sent out! We're trying to handle this in as timely a manner as possible. For this reason, please register as soon as you're able to! (Hint!) **_Registration_*Immediate payment is NOT REQUIRED to register for this event! If you've held back, please go ahead and register. We can accept any contribution when you arrive. _ __*R*__*egistration on the website*_ is a little complicated this year. It's a 2 step process. First, you have to register on the website. It will also ask you to register your affiliation with a bike project or to register a new bike project. If you are unaffiliated with a bike project or are local and want to attend the conference, *just affiliate yourself with "Unaffiliated" located in lovely Chalmette, Louisiana.*The answer to the secret question is Bike. Everyone who asks to join this group will be accepted and then you can move on to..... _*Registration for this year's event*_, which is a whole different matter. Here's where you can let us know about housing needs and whether you need a bike or not. _*EVENTS*_- In addition to the usual menagerie of workshops, Bike!Bike! this year will feature an amazing array of events in celebration of it's 10th Anniversary. *Wednesday*, there's an Alleycat, Book!Book!, hosted by Nola Alleycat. It's free with Bike!Bike! registration, so register now! (hint) More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/476741065754573/?ref=3 * Thurday, *there's an amazing free concert at Armstrong Park featuring the Soul Rebels Brass Band and the special 10th Anniversary edition Bike!Bike! Nola Social Ride. This will be a giant group bike ride with hundreds of people showing off New Orleans and the culture here. It will be pretty friggin' awesome. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/304825819659116/?ref=3 * Friday,*you'll have your chance to shake your ass off at Booty!Booty! a show featuring some of the Dance Music in New Orleans, from Brass bands to Bounce Artists. *You can only attend if you're a registered Bike!Bike! attendee, volunteer, or housing provider.* More info:https://www.facebook.com/events/693609703999878/?ref=3 * Saturday, it's Bike!Bike!'s 10th Birthday Party. *The location's awesome and we're going to feature some New Orleans cultural icons that we don't want to reveal just yet, but it's going to be incredible. Also, there will be cake. *Sunday*will be our closer and we're going out with a *bang!* This is also a little secret, *but don't leave before Sunday night or you're going to miss something amazing. *We'll send out more details as the time gets closer. _*FOOD - *_There will be breakfast every morning, featuring gourmet coffee from local St. Coffee, a constantsupporter of bike culture in New Orleans and breakfast prepared by New Orleans' own Community Kitchen,a grass roots non-profit that feeds the needy in New Orleans. We'll need a few dedicated volunteers for setting up food each day and working with Community Kitchen, so please let us know if you're interested. Community Kitchen will also be handling our food needs for lunch on Thursday and Friday and on Saturday, in lieu of lunch we'll be hosting a 6pm Shrimp and Vegetable boilsoyou can get to the big birthday party with a belly full of yummy. Don't worry, we're making sure that we have as many veg and gluten free options available as possible. That's about the best update we can give you right now. Any specific questions, please respond to this thread or email us at nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com. -- Victor Pizarro Project Organizer Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project

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Reminder: Interbike registration deadline TODAY at 5:00 MST
by David Eyer Davis 09 Sep '13

09 Sep '13

Hey all, if you'd like to go to Interbike with us and represent the Bike Collective Network, sign on up today! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApahCby7kJnBdG9mYklubG52cUdqVy… -- David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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Fwd: Bikes 4 Life Invitation - 09/22/13
by Sarah McCullough 06 Sep '13

06 Sep '13

Hey colectivo folks, If any of you all want to participate a bike movement out of Colombia, it sounds pretty rad. They currently only have two cities participating in the US--New York City and (I'm pretty sure) Davis. Let's grow that number! Details are below... Sarah McC ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: clara ines perez pineda <claperpi(a)yahoo.com> Date: Thu, Sep 5, 2013 at 3:40 PM Subject: Bikes 4 Life Invitation - 09/22/13 To: "smcc(a)ucdavis.edu" <smcc(a)ucdavis.edu> Hi Sarah, It was really nice to meet you last night! Thanks a lot for all of your suggestions, ideas and your interest to spread the word about Bicis por la Vida. Here is a blurb about it. "Bikes 4 Life" is a movement created in Colombia last year to promote bicycling as a sustainable way of urban transport. This year its leaders are promoting a worldwide action on September 22nd which is also the international Car Free day. So far more than 170 initiatives have signed up including a lot of bike groups in Latin America, Europe and Africa. For further information and join the movement please visit http://www.bicisporlavida.org/en/ Many thanks again, Clara Perez

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I spoke to soon! BCN CAN go to Interbike!
by David Eyer Davis 05 Sep '13

05 Sep '13

I spoke too soon! I just heard back from Interbike last minute, we are able to go! We have a limited number of tickets, and need those definitely going need to sign up on the following document before Monday at 5:00 PM, no exceptions. Badges will be awarded on a first-come/first-serve basis, so make sure to sign up quickly if you're sure you're able to go. Going to Interbike comes with responsibility: Firstly, everyone attending has to sign up for two shifts at the Bicycle Collective Network booth, where we'll be representing the Bicycle Collective and the Alliance for Walking and Biking. Secondly, we will not tolerate conduct that doesn't represent us favorably to the rest of the Bicycling Industry. Being inconsiderate of an exhibitor's time, heckling for swag or deals from people you haven't developed a relationship with or who haven't clearly offered that sort of thing, or generally behaving like a child will earn you a boot from the show. We're not willing to jeopardize the reputation of the Bicycle Collective Network. Barring major conflicts, we'd also like to do a mandatory night out for Collective folks on Tuesday night, the night before the show, where we would briefly go over our responsibilities formally and then just kick back, catch up across the city, state, and national lines between our different shops. If you're able to provide your own accommodation, just sign up on the 'Registrants' and "BCN Booth Volunteer Shifts" tab on the document and we'll just see you at the night out, the booth, and the show! If you would like to split a room, sign up in the "Rooms" tab. We're trying to keep it about 4-6 to a room, the more the cheaper, so rather than spread yourselves out, consolidate so we can knock off excess rooms on the nights we're not using them. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApahCby7kJnBdG9mYklubG52cUdqVy… In the event that more people sign up than we have badges for, we can get badges from Mary at the Alliance for Walking and Biking. I'll let you know if you're put on the waitlist for those badges and put your name in for allocation once she decides where they're going. Thanks! Davey -- David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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Des Moines Bicycle Collective seeks first executive director
by Carl Voss 05 Sep '13

05 Sep '13

After six years, the Des Moines Bicycle Collective has now grown enough to justify hiring its first full-time executive director. Exciting and scary times. Kent Newman and myself, two founding members, are about to cycle off the board (literally and figuratively) at year's end. The timing is ripe for someone to step up. Neither of us will toss our hats in the ring; we're ready to hand off the reins. Earlier this year, the Collective moved into a new 3,500 sq. ft. space and our program has exploded. And, so has the potential. We also operate a B-cycle program (6 stations and 38 bikes) that will nearly double its presence in 2014. Link to job description: http://www.dsmbikecollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/CollectiveEDJob… Candidates can contact me for details. Thanks and see you on the road, Carl Voss carlvoss(a)mac.com Mobile: 515-210-0237 Des Moines Bicycle Collective, Central Iowa's only nonprofit bike shop. Become a member today for $40.Use our secure donation form.

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Interbike- No Bicycle Collective Network booth provided this year
by David Eyer Davis 04 Sep '13

04 Sep '13

Hi All, Since last I mentioned going to Interbike on this list, I have tried to communicate regularly with our normal contacts and elsewhere to secure a booth for the BCN, with the help of Jeff at Alliance for Walking and Biking. After citing concerns that there wasn't enough space provided for non-profits in the new convention center, Interbike ultimately never got back to me, and in the end Jeff was only able to secure a 6ft booth for the Alliance. Because of this, the Bike Collective Network won't have a booth and we at the Utah Bike Collectives won't be going this year. I hope this doesn't stymie anyone's trip. After the dust settles I'll try and get to the bottom of why booth space and passes weren't forthcoming. Thanks, David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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