TheThinkTank February 2015

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

45 participants
41 discussions

Bicycle activism around Palo Alto
by Fenton Heirtzler 13 Feb '15

13 Feb '15

Hello! A little under two months back, I moved to the Palo Alto area for a job. While it's a reasonable place to bike, it is just too vanilla in terms of bicycle activism. So far, I've only noticed yuppies and wealthy retired folks on overly expensive bikes. Are there any bicycle activism groups down here, like you have in SF and Oakland? Thanks! -- Dr. Fenton Heirtzler Phone: +1-301-312-5145 On LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/in/fentonhorgchem/> Skype: fentonheirtzler Supporter of the International Day of Climate Action <http://www.350.org/> ********* ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Letters of understanding
by Yvonne Rucker 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Hello, My name is Yvonne Rucker and I have a cycling non-profit called BikeVON. This summer I will be providing cycling services to the community such as build a bike classes, and bike rodeos. I need a letter of understanding. Would anyone be interested in sharing the language that they use? I don't want to re-vent the wheel. -- Yvonne Rucker 248.225.0601 President BikeVON bikevon14(a)gmail.com Educate, Advocate, and Motivate Through Cycling *Mission: To provide the youth of color an opportunity to learn the core values of diversity and inclusion, a healthy lifestyle and exercise, safe cycling and cycling advocacy and the opportunity to participate in the Olympic sport of velodrome cycling.* This electronic message and all attachments contain information from the BikeVON of Metropolitan Detroit and its related programs. The message and attachments may contain privileged, confidential information or otherwise be protected from disclosure. The information is intended to be for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended addressee(s), any disclosure, copy, distribution or use of the contents of this message is prohibited unless authorized by the BikeVON or the intended addressee. ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Bike overhaul sequence
by DCoppley＠intercitytransit.com 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Greetings fellow bike do-gooder's, I am revising the work tickets our volunteer mechanics use during bicycle overhauls. I would like to structure the work tickets so that it encourages a logical work flow. My question is this; what is your preferred sequence of activities when overhauling a bike? Thanks in advance, David David Coppley Walk n' Roll Program Assistant Intercity Transit 360-705-5817 PO Box 659 Olympia, WA 98501 dcoppley(a)intercitytransit.com<mailto:dcoppley@intercitytransit.com> Find us on Facebook!<https://www.facebook.com/BicycleCommuterContest> [WalkNRoll_HZ_RGB] ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] New Supplier For Non-Profits and Small Shops
by Godwin ! 12 Feb '15

12 Feb '15

Hey folks, I'm a little unclear on the validity of this company. The contents of this email sound potentially like awesomesauce but the tone sounds sort of spammy. If anyone can vouch for or against them or wants to do a little research I'm sure everyone here is interested in hearing more. For now I've taken this person off the list and I'm going to send them an email explaining why. Mostly I feel that they shouldn't be in the direct line of fire if there is any negative feedback (as always, keep in mind the archives are public). Cheers, godwin. --- Original Message --- From: info(a)midwaybike.com Sent: February 11, 2015 7:18 PM To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] New Supplier For Non-Profits and Small Shops Hi, I am Benita Warns, President of Midway Bicycle Supply. I, along with my spouse, started this company because most non-profit bike coops and small shops do not have access to wholesale distribution channels that are available to larger enterprises. Most of the large distributors require their customers to purchase a minimum amount of merchandise with each order, and the amount is too high for many shops to afford. Also, those large distributors focus on a lot of higher-end items rather than the basic repair parts needed to fix older, used bicycles. If your community bike shop or collective is incorporated as a non-profit entity (i.e., 501( C ) 3), carries liability insurance, and operates a physical location, then most likely your group will qualify for an account with Midway Bicycle Supply. We offer you a minimum order quantity of just $25 (plus shipping), no charge to open the account, our best price on every item (why should you have to buy 20 tires to get a price break?), and we give 10% of all income to charity. We also seek out hard-to-find parts for the kind of older bicycles that you service. We won’t close your account if you don’t spend enough money or order often enough. Our business is set up specifically to meet your needs. To apply for an account, all you need to do is to go to our web site at www.midwaybike.com and print out a copy of the application form, fill it out, and either scan it and attach it to an email message, or mail it the old fashioned way. If your web site has photos of your location, just note that rather than taking new photos. Also, be sure to include your preferred user name and password so we can set up online access. If you want to know more before applying for an account, just call 651-955-1930 and you can talk to the boss (that’s me). I would be happy to answer your questions. I invite you to apply for an account with our company, and look forward to serving you. Benita Warns, President Midway Bicycle Supply, Inc. 506 N. Prior Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104 651-955-1930 www.midwaybike.com ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a> ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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New Supplier For Non-Profits and Small Shops
by info＠midwaybike.com 11 Feb '15

11 Feb '15

Hi, I am Benita Warns, President of Midway Bicycle Supply. I, along with my spouse, started this company because most non-profit bike coops and small shops do not have access to wholesale distribution channels that are available to larger enterprises. Most of the large distributors require their customers to purchase a minimum amount of merchandise with each order, and the amount is too high for many shops to afford. Also, those large distributors focus on a lot of higher-end items rather than the basic repair parts needed to fix older, used bicycles. If your community bike shop or collective is incorporated as a non-profit entity (i.e., 501( C ) 3), carries liability insurance, and operates a physical location, then most likely your group will qualify for an account with Midway Bicycle Supply. We offer you a minimum order quantity of just $25 (plus shipping), no charge to open the account, our best price on every item (why should you have to buy 20 tires to get a price break?), and we give 10% of all income to charity. We also seek out hard-to-find parts for the kind of older bicycles that you service. We won’t close your account if you don’t spend enough money or order often enough. Our business is set up specifically to meet your needs. To apply for an account, all you need to do is to go to our web site at www.midwaybike.com and print out a copy of the application form, fill it out, and either scan it and attach it to an email message, or mail it the old fashioned way. If your web site has photos of your location, just note that rather than taking new photos. Also, be sure to include your preferred user name and password so we can set up online access. If you want to know more before applying for an account, just call 651-955-1930 and you can talk to the boss (that’s me). I would be happy to answer your questions. I invite you to apply for an account with our company, and look forward to serving you. Benita Warns, President Midway Bicycle Supply, Inc. 506 N. Prior Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104 651-955-1930 www.midwaybike.com ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Request for ideas on Vision and Mission Statements for community bike workshops
by Bob Giordano 11 Feb '15

11 Feb '15

Hi Tom, This discussion was started by Donnie at SantroVélo... they are reworking their own vision and mission, and asked for feedback. I think it is a very worthy discussion, as we all can benefit from updating the 'what, why and how' of our work. Or perhaps just the 'what and why' as the 'how' tends to be more goal and objective statement oriented... I've heard many different definitions for vision, mission, goals, objectives and action steps. The key might be to have deep internal discussions and see what makes sense on a local level. Thomas Martin wrote: > Hi all: > New to this list, and I have lurked for exactly 2 messages. > Pardon my ignorance, but is this vision statement for this list, or for a > specific org that is subscribing to the list? > Mission statements and vision statements can quickly become obtuse with big > words that no-one uses in the organization and your community. And a vision > statement by committee is how that happens. > But here goes my two pence: > Transportation and transit is routine, so further explaining it as routine > is redundant. And anyways, making transportation anything but routine (fun! > sexy! transformative!) is going to inspire people more than the routinized > use of our transportation grid.. > '_________ advocates safe and equitable outcomes for people on bikes as a > form of everyday transportation. We are a non-profit, volunteer run community co-operative that empowers people to repair their own bikes' . Or something like that. > I posted this on my Facebook page a few days ago. It's got some good suggestions for how and why language shapes the public discussion: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/how-smart-language-helped-end-seat… Tom Martin > Bike Program Coordinator > Portland Community College- Cascade > 705 N Killingsworth St > Portland, OR 97217 > On Mon, Feb 9, 2015 at 10:26 AM, Bob Giordano <mist(a)strans.org> wrote: >> agree Ron. >> a general suggestion: >> instead of: >> 'We support safe cycling as a legitimate form of routine transportation' >> change to: >> 'We support safety for people on bikes as a legitimate form of routine transportation' >> or something like that. lots of 'talk' about the power of saying 'people >> on bikes' instead of 'cyclists' nowadays, which makes sense. >> -- >> Bob Giordano >> Free Cycles Missoula >> Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation >> Ron Kellis wrote: >> > Comment from the gallery: I've been, uh, subjected to these for over >> 20 >> years now. Meaning they can be really important for some folks as a focus >> > point, important for funding, and many feel the need to include every >> descriptor that can be crammed into the space available. Often, in my experience, this means few actually read it. And for others, well I volunteer as an instructor and self-help mentor. I know that fits in our >> mission statement someplace or we wouldn't be doing it. >> > KISS and short: >> > - We reach-out to help others learn to maintain their own bikes - >> We >> support safe cycling as a legitimate form of routine >> > transportation >> > - We assist members of the community who need a bike to obtain a >> bike. >> > Expand on that as necessary in supporting statements. >> > "*All great truths are simple in final analysis, and easily >> understood; >> if >> > they are not, they are not great truths."* ~ Napoleon Hill. >> > Just my $.02 >> > Ron >> > On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 12:19 PM, Andy Bakker >> > <andy.bakker(a)velocitycoop.org> >> > wrote: >> >> Hi Donnie, >> >> The mission statement that we use is: >> >> Our mission is to educate, encourage, and empower a vibrant and >> inclusive >> >>> cycling community through learning. We provide a non-profit, volunteer-run, >> >>> educational do-it-yourself workshop offering training, rides, and >> events to >> >>> empower all levels of cyclists in building, maintaining, and >> embracing >> the >> >>> fun of bicycles. >> >> I've been asked by a few volunteers about developing a real vision or >> vision statement and I'd be very interested if anybody has something they'd >> >> like to share! >> >> Cheers, >> >> Andy Bakker >> >> VéloCity Bicycle Cooperative >> >> 2111 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 >> >> andy.bakker(a)velocitycoop.org | www.velocitycoop.org >> >> On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Don <dontito(a)videotron.ca> wrote: >> >>> Hi Everybody, >> >>> I’ve been hit-and-miss following along on the Think Tank for the >> past >> while so please excuse me if I missed any threads relevant to this request. Our collective is now in the process of redefining >> ourselves, >> >>> and >> >>> part of the process is coming up with a Vision Statement and >> reworking >> our >> >>> Mission Statement, so I’d like to ask for examples that work for >> other >> groups. So far our shop has been mostly about mechanics and not so much >> >>> about advocacy, though of course that could change during this >> process. >> >>> All comments and suggestions will be gratefully received! >> >>> Donnie >> >>> SantroVélo >> >>> https://www.facebook.com/SantroVelo ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Donation Jar at Bike Valet Booth?
by Ryan Feller 10 Feb '15

10 Feb '15

Hello all, We run a bike valet at a bi-weekly farmer's market, usually parking several dozen bikes in a few hours. Valet is free to use and staffed by volunteers; our organization receives no compensation. We are considering a donation jar to benefit the organization (mostly to cover promotional materials). However, we don't want to pressure anyone to donate, lest it discourage their regular use of our service. We're considering a small donation jar in the corner of our event table, accompanied by a sign roughly stating, "Bike valet is a free service! Donations to Human Powered Delray are optional but always appreciated." Organizations that do bike valet: Do you have a donation or tip jar? Do you request compensation from event organizers? What do you do with donated money? If it's relevant, we're a 501(c)(3) bike/ped advocacy organization. Thank you very much for your time and input! -- Ryan Feller Board Member Human Powered Delray www.humanpowereddelray.org (941) 894-4333 ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Request for ideas on Vision and Mission Statements for community bike workshops
by Don 09 Feb '15

09 Feb '15

Hi Everybody, Ive been hit-and-miss following along on the Think Tank for the past while so please excuse me if I missed any threads relevant to this request. Our collective is now in the process of redefining ourselves, and part of the process is coming up with a Vision Statement and reworking our Mission Statement, so Id like to ask for examples that work for other groups. So far our shop has been mostly about mechanics and not so much about advocacy, though of course that could change during this process. All comments and suggestions will be gratefully received! Donnie SantroVélo <https://www.facebook.com/SantroVelo> https://www.facebook.com/SantroVelo ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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The Youth Bike Summit is just a week away! Please help us spread the word!
by Pasqualina Azzarello 06 Feb '15

06 Feb '15

<https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/e39rob> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/uvasob> *SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AT THE YOUTH BIKE SUMMIT!* We're just a week away from the 5th annual Youth Bike Summit and we have an incredible line-up <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/aobsob> of speakers, workshops, and presentations! If you haven't already registered, you can purchase tickets here <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/qgcsob>. Registration includes meals, more than 30 workshops and presentations, and all conference activities over three days. If you are traveling from out of town, we encourage you to take a look at this link <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/68csob> that details the different locations of the YBS, directions, + affordable accommodations. The 2015 Youth Bike Summit is hosted by Bike Works <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/m1dsob> in Seattle, February 13-15, 2015. Please help us spread the word! *Register Today!* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/2tesob> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/imfsob>*http://youthbikesummit.brownpapertickets.com/ <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/yegsob>* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/e7gsob> *THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!* One of the founding principles of the Youth Bike Summit is that it is affordable and accessible for all attendees, especially youth attendees. This is possible on account of our generous sponsors and supporters. On behalf of Youth Bike, Bike Works, Recycle-A-Bicycle, and the greater youth bicycle movement throughout local communities throughout the US, we are incredibly grateful! Thank you for your support! *THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL SUPPORTERS!* After four year's in NYC, this is the first time the Youth Bike Summit has traveled. We extend a gigantic thank you to the local planning committee, with special thanks to Bike Works, Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle DOT, and Washington Bikes! <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/uzhsob> *WIN AWESOME TIMBUK2 GOODIES IN #BIKEVALENTINE CONTEST* Here's how it works: Post, tweet, and retweet your pics and poems, showing love for bikes + biking. Tag your pics with @Timbuk2, @youthbikesummit, #BikeValentine, and #YBS15 and winners will receive prizes from Timbuk2! There's no limit to sharing the love! Contest ends on Valentine's Day at 3PM PST. Winners will be announced at the YBS. *More info can be found here: http://youthbikesummit.org/timbuk2-social-media-contest/ <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/asisob>* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/qkjsob> *BIG SHOUT-OUT TO PORTLAND!* Thanks to BikePortland <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/6cksob> and KBOO Radio <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/m5ksob> for yourarticle <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/2xlsob> and radio show <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/iqmsob> this week to help spread the word about the Youth Bike Summit! We're excited to see you at the YBS next week, along with youth and adult leaders from Transportation Alliance, Multnomah Youth Commission, Community Cycling Center, Safe Routes to School of Portland & Elly Blue Publishing! Also, KBOO will be recording live onsite at the YBS to capture youth voices from across the US! www.youthbikesummit.org Youth Bike | Director www.youthbikesummit.org | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Bike-Summit/230384430374509> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/youthbikesummit> *Youth Bike Summit | **February 13 - 15, 2015 | Bike Works | Seattle, WA* *Youth Bike transforms our local communities and strengthens our national movement by empowering bicycle leaders.* ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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NYS Meeting of Commuity Bike Shops
by breathingplanet . 05 Feb '15

05 Feb '15

Troy Bike Rescue and newly created Electric City Bike Rescue are hosting an Upstate New York Bike Summit! Community Bike Shops (a.k.a. Bike Rescues) from the Tri-cities area of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy will be present as well as Bike Rescues from Utica, Ithaca, Rochester, and Buffalo. This will be the first gathering for some of these organizations and a reunion for some of the Bike Rescues that participated in TBR's Bike!Bike! event a couple years ago. Topics will range from Best Practices on how to form, organize and operate a community bike shop to how the community bike shops can work with NYBC and other advocates to best promote bicycle rescue, restoration and utilization for transportation and recreation. The meeting will be held at the Schenectady Central Library on Saturday February 21st from 11am to 4pm. If you represent a community-based bicycle program or shop and wish to attend, please contact Mike at rozdol(a)yahoo.com. They have a large room reserved and have room for you! ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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TheThinkTank February 2015