November 2014 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Webhosting/domains
by Bike City 24 Mar '25

24 Mar '25

Well, I recently threw together some hand-written HTML and slapped it onto a free (and ad-less) webhost. This seemed great at first, regardless of the weird URL. But after lots of other publicity and potential traffic, I've seen it get hacked twice (by a radical Islamic group after the whole host, nothing personal), and lately it's either painfully slow to load or completely down. So, I haven't done this for about a decade and I'm out of the loop. I'm really not willing to suffer any ads, but since our budgeted is obcenely limited for such fluff, does anyone have recommendations? Are there any more reliable ad-free free hosts? (Probably not, for obvious reasons.) Otherwise, how do you guys handle web hosting? How much does it cost? What's a good balance between reliable and affordable? How much is domain registration nowadays? We don't have our 501(c)(3) status yet so we won't get a deal until later this year, by the way. Anyway, please help. It's rough to find time to FTP an update and find the site's down. Thanks, andrea Bike City Recyclery of Fayetteville, Arkansas http://bikecity.uuuq.com/ (hahaha)

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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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Instruction for Marginalized Communities: Women on Wheels and Multilingual Nights
by Lauren Warbeck 26 Feb '16

26 Feb '16

Oh HEYYYY again... It's a double email kinda day. 1) Multilingual Nights We're hosting our first ever multilingual nights YAYYYYY! We now have a posse of rad mechanics who are fluent in English, Spanish, French, Cantonese, and Mandarin and we are planning to hold a series of multilingual instruction nights. We're about to have our first sub-committee meeting about how we're going to go about the planning of these nights (ie: Do we have a strictly Spanish night, or a Spanish & French night? What is the role of Anglo mechanics in these nights? What are the underlying needs of these communities beyond language instruction?), but first I wanted to find out if any of you have feedback or resource materials about your own experiences hosting multilingual nights. What did you set out to do? Did it work? What did you learn? 2) Women on Wheels We're in the process of reconsidering the reach and name of our women's night, Women on Wheels. This name has been revisited several times by our collective, and again we're feeling the need for change. Those of you who commit energy to thinking about providing services across the gender/sexuality spectrum...I'm looking for your input. The key challenges for us, (and maybe all of us?) I think, are two-fold: First, it's about holding space for those who adhere to identity politics (tangible and named - Woman, Lesbian, Dyke, sometimes Transwoman etc) while also holding space for folks who exist all along the gender and sexuality spectrum (intangible and variably named - Queer, Tomboi, sometimes Transwoman, Genderqueer, etc ). As in, how do we hold safer space for butch grandmas and trans women and gender queer folks all at once? Is it feasible or possible to hold safer space strictly around gender variance? Or is it presumptuous as fuck to try to lump these diverse communities together? Or reductionist to assume gender experience is the key connecting factor between these individuals (and not race, or class, or ....)? Second, it's about negotiating the instances of inclusion and exclusion that emerge as a result of differing levels of awareness and knowledge around these varied philosophies and ways of identifying. This is the crux of why we've called it Women's Night for so long. While in practice our "women's night" is attended by trans-women, cis-women, femmes, masculine-identified genderqueers, tombois, etc etc, we have continued to call it women's night to make sure that people who aren't familiar with the world of post-modern gender identity know they are welcome, and cis-men know easily and clearly that it is not for them. I guess, to make it legible to mainstream communities, while still welcoming to non-mainstream communities. Meanwhile, we've also had interest from femme-identified cis-men and trans men in having services for masculine-presenting folks or folks who are presumed masculine (which again, is on a really broad spectrum). We're in convo with folks about their needs and wants, but it would also be great to have input from other shops. Where I'm really seeking is input about how your shops are drawing the lines around participation in nights for marginalized communities (including communities bonded around race, ethnicity, ability, etc) and/or how to meld diverse communities in appropriate and supportive ways. I know that Plan B has Ladies, Trans, and Sissies Night, and BICAS has Women, Trans, and Femme night. Where are folks at with their organizing process around this? What are other shops doing? You are all so great. Lauren

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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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UBR T-Shirts Now Available
by Matt VanSlyke 29 Nov '14

29 Nov '14

Hello, I just want to let you know - in case you haven't seen them yet - that our new UBR t-shirts are now available to order on our website: http://uticabikerescue.org/shop.php. There are men's, women's and kids' styles and a bunch of cool colors (sample images attached). The first batch of these shirts will be handed out to those who've ordered them at our open house on 12/8 <http://uticabikerescue.org/upcoming-events.php>. We'll ship out-of-town orders and any shirts that don't get picked up the following day. Design credit goes to local artist Hannah Barley and printing is done by Utica Custom T-Shirt Company. Adult shirts are $15, kids shirts are $10 and all proceeds go directly back into our outreach programs <http://uticabikerescue.org/programs.php>. We're also looking for local outlets to sell shirts "off the rack". If you're interested, please Contact Us <http://uticabikerescue.org/contact-us.php>. Take a look and please spread the word by forwarding this message or this link: http://uticabikerescue.org/shop.php *Thanks for your support!* *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.* *“A citizen on a $30 bicycle is as important as one in a $30,000 car.”* * - Enrique Penalosa on building protected bikeways in cities, Sept 2013*

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We did a winter commuter workshop, video is up for those interested.
by David Eyer Davis 27 Nov '14

27 Nov '14

Hi All, If you're not so lucky as to live in perpetual summer, we held a workshop in Salt Lake discussing winter tactics with a bias toward solutions that didn't rely on bike-specific purchases. We tried to strike a balance between the things one should invest in to stay comfortable and safe on a bike in winter, and the things that one could make or re-purpose. Feel free to share the video with the wet-weather curious! Topics covered: Winter bike maintenance Inversion tactics Fenders and rain protection, DIY vs. bought Snow and cold weather clothing, eyewear, gloves, and respirators Fat bikes (briefly) and bikes in the snow Long rides, baggage solutions, staying presentable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X24zXp25HeI 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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The Bridge City Bicycle Co-op needs your help to win $50, 000! - JUST $1 HELPS!
by Adam Worobec 25 Nov '14

25 Nov '14

Dear Bike Shop/Co-op friends around the world, The BCBC has gained an incredible amount of momentum this past year, which has recently led to becoming a finalist in the Business for Good Social Venture Challenge <https://www.affinitycu.ca/Community/Funding/Business%20for%20Good%20Social%…>, hosted by Affinity Credit Union. *It's on like Donkey Kong!* - We’re looking for as many people as possible to donate to our crowdfunding campaign (Check out our proposal here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiSLBPCTd78>!), which is open *NOW* until *December 8th, 2014.* *TSN TURNING POINT!* - Based on the number of investors and amount raised, we could receive a one-time investment of $50,000 to turn our aspirations into a reality. Seriously, our board is so excited right now - we don’t even know what to do with ourselves. This is a HUGE opportunity, and we need your help! *Here’s what you can do to help:* - *DONATE* to our campaign. EVEN $1 HELPS, because it's not just about total dollars raised, it's about # of investors. - *SPREAD THE WORLD* to others, even to request a simple $1 donation. Every single dollar and investor counts. - *SHARE - *blow this thing up on social media using the hashtags #b4gBCBC & #yxe. Thanks in advance for your support! With gratitude, The BCBC. VOTE HERE: https://www.affinitycu.ca/Community/Funding/Business%20for%20Good%20Social%…

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Income Statement and Cash Flow for bike co-ops
by tenaya goldsmith 24 Nov '14

24 Nov '14

I'm trying to start up a bike co-op where I live and I would like to know what the average amount of income is for a bike co-op and what the financials typically look like. I want to make sure that when I start this that I am financially ok so that it all doesn't crumble beneath me. ~ Tenaya Goldsmith

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Bike Pirates Launches Indiegogo Campaign!
by Ainsley Naylor 23 Nov '14

23 Nov '14

Friends and Allies – Bike Pirates has launched our Indiegogo Fundraising campaign! Our goal is to raise $20,000 to create a new home and improved workspace. Please tell your family, friends and community and encourage them to support our work. If everyone who appreciates our work gives us $5 or $10, we'll be well on our way! *Click here to see the campaign, watch the fantastic video, and make a donation.* https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/build-a-new-bike-pirates-do-it-yourself-… We are moving closer to securing a new space for our community workshop, and we need your support to make our new home a reality! Donations are needed to fund our move, renos on the new space and replacing aging and broken equipment - new workstations, replacing tools, new kitchen appliances, and upgrading our failing technology, among other things. There are some great perks offered through the campaign, with more to come as things roll in from community supporters. Have something you could donate to the campaign? Send us an email and let us know – info(a)bikepirates.com Please share this widely and stay in the loop by following us online: Website www.bikepirates.com Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/bikepirates/ Twitter @bikepirates

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