June 2017 - 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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Mobile bicycle repair truck
by bykecollective 07 Jul '17

07 Jul '17

Hi, I’m looking for details on mobile bicycle repair trucks. The kind that look like food trucks, but for bicycles. Where can I find specs/cost breakdowns for one? Thanks! Chavi BYKE Collective, Inc

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Odoo software
by jack 28 Jun '17

28 Jun '17

Sorry if it's been asked before, but anyone running Odoo on their own server? Community version is free, Open source, and not too limited compared to paid version. All the modules, sales, inventory, contacts, website builder. Anyone have experience with this before I sink time in it? Jack Murphy Bike Walk Wichita

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Looking for PT Shop Manager, Wilmington, Delaware
by CZ Mike 26 Jun '17

26 Jun '17

Urban Bike Project of Wilmington Delaware (http://www.urbanbikeproject.com/) is looking for a part time shop manager, please see attached job description.

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Looking for a UX copy-writing buddy
by Godwin ! 22 Jun '17

22 Jun '17

Hey folks, I'm looking for someone that is interested in writing copy for bikebike.org and soon bikecollectives.org. I've been writing the copy myself for a while and I'm not great at it. I've also been trying to go for a more crowdsourced approach but I think ultimately I would appreciate having a single person who I can chat with regularly throughout the year. The time investment shouldn't be heavy, it would be great if you have experience with UX copywriting but just as valuable if you're interested in learning more and want some experience. You will be rewarded with praise, friendship, hugs, and references if you want them. Email me off list if you want to talk more. Thanks! Godwin

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Kickstand is hiring a Program Coordinator!
by Kickstand 22 Jun '17

22 Jun '17

Hey y'all, We're looking for a part-time Program Coordinator to support volunteers and improve shop operations. Check out the job posting <https://www.goodwork.ca/jobs/program-coordinator-job-in-vancouver-bc-41027> and please apply by July 3rd if you're interested! Happy riding, aida *Kickstand Community Bikes* 1739 Venables Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 2H3 <https://goo.gl/maps/5HK3GtdanMv> *Hours of Operation* M • W • F: 5pm to 9pm Sunday: 1pm to 5pm WGQT Night: 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm kickstandbikes(a)gmail.com eastvankickstand.org Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/Eastvan.Kickstand> • Twitter <https://twitter.com/kickstandbikes> • Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/kickstandcommunitybikes/>

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Hiring Bookkeeper/Admin in Chicago
by The Recyclery 22 Jun '17

22 Jun '17

Hi, We're looking for a Bookkeeper & Administrative Coordinator for our Chicago-based bike collective. Job Description <http://therecyclery.org/now-hiring-bookkeeper-administrative-coordinator/> and details are on our website. Please spread the word to anyone who would be a good fit. Thanks! Jesse -- The Recyclery Collective www.therecyclery.org 7628 N. Paulina ▪ Chicago, IL 60626 ▪ 773.262.5900 *The Recyclery is an educational bike shop that promotes sustainability by giving access to tools, skills and opportunities for collaboration.* Donate <http://www.therecyclery.org/index.php/donate> or volunteer! <http://www.therecyclery.org/index.php/volunteer>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Need Advice for Volunteer Management Software
by jack 20 Jun '17

20 Jun '17

Salesforce with the nonprofit plugin. Powerful, quirky, most folks can use it, though did I mention quirky? We track volunteer hours, and even easily enough Earn a Bike credit/debit. Folks can trade hours for bike, parts, tubes etc. Great donor management, lousy but functional reporting, export to Google Sheets (reports show in spreadsheet) And oh yeah, it's free, web based, and customizable. <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Mary-Catherine Graziano <marycatherine(a)localmotion.org> </div><div>Date:06/20/2017 12:32 PM (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> </div><div>Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Need Advice for Volunteer Management Software </div><div> </div>We manage 100+ volunteers with signup.com. It's not perfect (the ads are annoying,) but it provides the majority of the functionality that we want, and all of the functionality that we need. Non-computer savvy folks have trouble with it, but for anyone with a basic grasp of computer skills, it works just fine. Mary Catherine Graziano Education and Volunteer Manager Local Motion 1 Steele St., Burlington, VT 05401 phone: 802-861-2700 ext. 106 fax: 802-861-3096 www.localmotion.org We offer: Kids' Bike Skills Programs for schools, recreation programs and summer camps: www.kohlskidsbikesmart.org AND Bike Skills Programs for adults: http://www.localmotion.org/education/everydaybicyclingproject On Tue, Jun 20, 2017 at 1:08 PM, A Westphal <atwestphal96(a)gmail.com> wrote: Hello all, Short message: please reply and let me know what software programs your group uses to coordinate your volunteers! I'm also happy to hear about donor management/CRM and any other software which makes your organization run smoothly. Longer message: Common Cycle in Ann Arbor, MI is working to transition from mobile operations to a fixed space. To prepare, we want to get a grasp on who our volunteers are, how much they volunteer, how we can help them volunteer more, etc etc. Currently we create event sign-ups in Google Sheets and event check-ins in Google Forms. It seems that a volunteer management software would be the best solution to manage our people as we expand. I know this topic has been covered in the ThinkTank before, and I've used the Archive resources (and Wikia things too) to create a fairly comprehensive list of available programs. Once I have your feedback, which I hope will be more cooperative-specific than my current list, I'm planning to share the results with this list and I hope it can be helpful for others. Thanks for your input: I look forward to your responses. Cheers from Michigan Andrew Westphal https://commoncycle.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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Need Advice for Volunteer Management Software
by A Westphal 20 Jun '17

20 Jun '17

Hello all, *Short message*: please reply and let me know what software programs your group uses to coordinate your volunteers! I'm also happy to hear about donor management/CRM and any other software which makes your organization run smoothly. *Longer message*: Common Cycle in Ann Arbor, MI is working to transition from mobile operations to a fixed space. To prepare, we want to get a grasp on who our volunteers are, how much they volunteer, how we can help them volunteer more, etc etc. Currently we create event sign-ups in Google Sheets and event check-ins in Google Forms. It seems that a volunteer management software would be the best solution to manage our people as we expand. I know this topic has been covered in the ThinkTank before, and I've used the Archive resources (and Wikia things too) to create a fairly comprehensive list of available programs. Once I have your feedback, which I hope will be more cooperative-specific than my current list, I'm planning to share the results with this list and I hope it can be helpful for others. Thanks for your input: I look forward to your responses. Cheers from Michigan Andrew Westphal https://commoncycle.org/

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Sourcing Kids Supplies
by Thomas Butler 19 Jun '17

19 Jun '17

Ahoy Organizers, Any recommendations for kid-sized aprons, gloves, and stepstools? I found some on amazon, but then it occurred to me someone from our community may already know the best option through experience. Thanks Thomas Butler they, them, theirs (or) he, him, his Austin's Yellow Bike Project

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Transition from all volunteer to some employees
by SF Yellow Bike SF 19 Jun '17

19 Jun '17

Hello All, Our shop, San Francisco Yellow Bike Project, is currently transitioning from 6 years as an all-volunteer organization to an organization with two manager type employees and two intern type employees. My questions: Is there a resource we could tap to understand the details of hiring? Has your shop done this before? What was useful for you? Any tips or other help would be much appreciated. We are excited as this moves us into a more sustainable model and will exponentially grow our ability to serve. Sincerely, Nathan Woody San Francisco Yellow Bike Project

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Bikechain (Toronto) Needs a New Exec Director!
by Kelly Bray 18 Jun '17

18 Jun '17

Hi folks, Bikechain is currently looking for a new executive director. If you live in Toronto (or would like to), and have the skills needed to run a DIY shop, check out the posting here <http://bikechain.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ExecutiveDirectorPosting2017…> . Enjoy Winnipeg this year, everyone! Kelly -- Kelly Bray happilyuseful(a)gmail.com (416) 789-3139

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pdf on safer spaces
by Angel York 14 Jun '17

14 Jun '17

Kind of an academic overview but I really enjoyed this and thought y'all might, too: https://ssw.umich.edu/sites/default/files/documents/events/colc/from-safe-s…

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Refunds
by Geoffrey Smart 13 Jun '17

13 Jun '17

At Back2bikes we do not give refunds on bikes but allow people to trade up within a month We offer no warranty but will fix a bike within the first month if there are any issues such as brakes or derailleur slippage or any serious issues. Regarding second hand parts we generally sell them to people who seem to be aware of what they are buying and explain that they are cheap and that it is buyer beware. With new parts we abide by Australian law which states that the part must be fit for use. We generally offer to exchange or refund if the part is faulty or unfit for purpose. I would make the comment that we are a self funding community organization so often our buyers are also donors. Our policy is therefore to err on the side of generosity particularly when dealing with clients who are obviously in need of assistance. Geoff Back2Bikes Port Melbourne Australia -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

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submission
by Julie Williams 13 Jun '17

13 Jun '17

This is a document listing some of the biggest and/or most frustrating mistakes we made in our first year as mechanics. I intend to pass it out to apprentices when they start. Can anyone add anything? thanks!JulieBetty's Bikes, Burlington, Vt

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Refund Policy
by Todd Spinner 12 Jun '17

12 Jun '17

We have been recently challenged about our refund policy/lack of a refund policy. Our Co-op sells used parts and a select amount of new parts, mostly consumables and commuter level wheels, etc. Does anyone have a refund policy that they would like to share? Does your policy differ between new and used parts? Thanks, -- Todd Spinner Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign (IL)

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Help with Bike!Bike! copy and testing
by Godwin ! 12 Jun '17

12 Jun '17

Hey folks, we have a new registration process and copy on the site this year and I'd like some help improving it before we open registration. If anyone is interested in helping out you can see the testing wiki here: https://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bike!Bike!_Testing You can also reach out to me any time if you have questions or want to speak to me directly about suggested changes. I'll also be reaching out to translators later this week once English copy is more or less finalized. If I haven't spoken to you about translating content into Spanish or French and you would to help out, please contact me and I'll make to to include you once we are ready. Thanks! Godwin

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Refund Policy
by 3rdwardbikes 12 Jun '17

12 Jun '17

Caveat emptor(let the buyer beware) is established common law. Refunds are a courtesy extended to the buyer to promote goodwill. At 3rd Ward Bike Shop, it comes down to the question, "Who is at fault?" If a staff member sold a part, new or used, that did not fill the need or correct the problem, then we exchange for the correct part. If a new part is flawed or fails due to manufacture defect, we replace the part. If we can not satisfy the client, because we do not have the part/solution at hand, we refund his money. Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note® 3, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Josh Bisker <jbisker(a)gmail.com> Date: 06/11/2017 10:52 PM (GMT-06:00) To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Refund Policy "You're welcome to donate any parts you don't want anymore" On Sun, Jun 11, 2017 at 10:49 PM Todd Spinner <tspinner(a)gmail.com> wrote: We have been recently challenged about our refund policy/lack of a refund policy. Our Co-op sells used parts and a select amount of new parts, mostly consumables and commuter level wheels, etc. Does anyone have a refund policy that they would like to share? Does your policy differ between new and used parts? Thanks, -- Todd Spinner Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign (IL) ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a> -- Josh Bisker 914-500-9890New York Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op596 AcresBindlestiff Family Cirkus

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Pedal Society in Vancouver, BC Hiring an Executive Director!
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 02 Jun '17

02 Jun '17

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Pedal Society in Vancouver, BC Hiring an Executive Director!
by Sarah FioRito 02 Jun '17

02 Jun '17

Hey Folks, Pedal is looking for a passionate and energetic Executive Director. This position is new for Pedal and it is an opportunity to support in shaping the organization for a future of innovative programs and expanding Pedal’s ability to serve low income and marginalized communities. Feel free to share this posting with anyone you know who would be interested : https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/1987/jobs/Executive-Director- 282326b7cacf7042?q=Executive+Director Feel free to reach out if you have questions! Best, Sarah

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Mentorship Program
by Jen Roberton 02 Jun '17

02 Jun '17

Hi everyone, I am currently working on a mentorship program to get cyclists to mentor non-cyclists. The goal is the encourage peer to peer learning, and the focus is on getting people into riding, not necessarily mechanics. Has anyone worked on anything similar? Thank you, Jen -- *Jen Roberton * Linkedin <https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jen-roberton-bab10aa1> | Webpage <http://jenroberton.com> M.A. School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia Honours B.A., University of Toronto

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