January 2020 - 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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Park Tool School Mechanics Training
by Robert Christiansen 05 Feb '20

05 Feb '20

Hello all, The Sacramento Bike Kitchen would like to ramp up our educational offerings. The programs needs to be flexible yet structured and flexible to accommodate potential volunteer scheduling/availability fluctuations. I have been looking into the Park Tool Schools program as outlined in their BB-4TG Instructor Guide. I am impressed with their offering and feel it might fit our needs perfectly. We are thinking to first establish an in-house mechanic training course which could be mandatory for new volunteers and optional for current volunteer staff. We are 100% Volunteer run. We would then open it up to the public. Tuition if any has yet to be discussed. We would greatly appreciate any feed back from all of you if you have any experience with Park Tool School or similar curriculum. Secondly have any of you instituted a mandatory training for new volunteers? If so, any observations and reflections would be welcomed. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated and we give many thanks to you all. Keep up the the great work. For The Sacramento Bike Kitchen, Robert Christiansen Http://sacbikekitchen.org

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Color Coding Bike parts
by Bk Mk 29 Jan '20

29 Jan '20

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mailing list
by Sandy Ebersole 27 Jan '20

27 Jan '20

Please remove my from your mailing list. Thank you. Sandy Ebersole Administrative Analyst Madera County Transportation Commission 2001 Howard Road, Suite, 201 Madera, CA 93637 (559) 675-0721 [Title: MCTC Logo - Description: Madera County Transportation Commission]

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Fwd: Job Opportunity: Executive Director, Charlie's FreeWheels
by Alix Aylen 20 Jan '20

20 Jan '20

Hey thinktank pals! Charlie's is looking for a new Executive Director! I've decided to take a step back and will be working with our team to fill this position. It's a great way to strengthen your non-profit/charity skills and to spread the good word about community bike spaces in Toronto! Our team is looking for someone with project management, administrative and fundraising experience (any level or combination thereof). Experience working/volunteering with community bike spaces/projects is considered as a HUGE asset for this position. Check out the posting for more information, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. www.CharliesFreeWheels.ca/jobs <http://www.charliesfreewheels.ca/jobs> And spread the word! *Alix Aylen (she/her)* Executive Director Charlie's FreeWheels 242.5 Queen Street E. M5A 1S3 Toronto, Ontario t. 416-856-5510 www.charliesfreewheels.ca Sign up for our newsletter <http://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=796baa6919ab0f3b6…> Get more young people on bikes! Click here to donate to Charlies' FreeWheels. <https://www.charliesfreewheels.ca/donate/> ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Charlie's FreeWheels <alix(a)charliesfreewheels.ca> Date: Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 3:04 PM Subject: Job Opportunity: Executive Director, Charlie's FreeWheels To: <alix(a)charliesfreewheels.ca> Our team is looking for a new Executive Director! After working with Charlie's FreeWheels for four years, Alix Aylen is taking a step back from the Executive Director position and is looking forward to working with the team to find a new person to take on this role. Alix will continue to serve as Executive Director until a new candidate has been selected. Our ideal candidate is exceptionally well organized and equally comfortable working with youth, staff, and donors. They will enjoy both the details of running an effective small organization as well as the strategic and creative activities involved in achieving our mission. CFW is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and encourages and prioritizes applications from people identifying as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S and present or previous residents of Regent Park, Moss Park & St. James Town. The full posting can be found on our website: CharliesFreeWheels.ca/Jobs <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=796baa6919ab0f…> Deadline to apply is February 7, 2020 at 5pm! Please help us to spread the word! All the best! *Alix *&* the Charlie's FreeWheels team* [image: Twitter] <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=796baa6919ab0f…> [image: Facebook] <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=796baa6919ab0f…> [image: Website] <http://www.charliesfreewheels.ca> *Copyright © Charlie's FreeWheels, All rights reserved.* *Our mailing address is:* 242.5 Queen St. E, Toronto, ON, M5A 1S3 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/profile?u=796baa6919ab0f3b6a…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=796baa6919ab0f…> This email was sent to alix(a)charliesfreewheels.ca *why did I get this?* <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/about?u=796baa6919ab0f3b6ac6…> unsubscribe from this list <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=796baa6919ab0f…> update subscription preferences <https://charliesfreewheels.us3.list-manage.com/profile?u=796baa6919ab0f3b6a…> Charlie's FreeWheels · 242.5 Queen Street East · Toronto, ON M5A 1S3 · Canada [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Visioning Meetings
by mist＠strans.org 09 Jan '20

09 Jan '20

Hi, In 2016, we crafted a long range, big picture vision when we took on the task of buying a 2 acre property with a 28,000 sq ft building in the heart of Missoula. (we raised the down payment outright with cash donations, then assembled 8 tenants to cover the mortgage) We had many pot lucks, round tables and one on one conversations. Then our two main staff (myself and our programs director, Emily) spent a bunch of time sifting, sorting, editing, re-dreaming; the 4 page doc is found here: http://www.freecycles.org/vision we update it every year or so (it's due once again for revision as time/people/energy change) It's focused on expanding our basic Free Cycles programs (Open Shop, Build a Bike), adding new programs (a hostel, learning center, bike share), our advocacy efforts (bikeways, roundabouts, road diets, sustainable paving) and also the dream of going off-grid, carbon neutral, no fossil fuels, and local and healthy materials to retrofit the building. the doc is brief, and our plan is to take on pieces as we can, expanding the pieces with work plans and rough budgets happy to talk more to anyone via mist(a)strans.org or 406.830.7676 -Bob Giordano, director, Free Cycles, MIST Quoting Alysia Herr <alysiaherr(a)gmail.com>: > Hi buds, > > I'm with Kickstand Community Bikes, a volunteer-run space in Vancouver, BC. > We're in the midst of some big changes: a shop move, general increase in > volunteer-time, and increase in shop user-ship. All good things, but we've > decided that it's probably time for visioning meeting. However, it turns > out folks have some different ideas about what this means. I have my own > ideas, but I haven't participated in this sort of meeting before, so I'm > not sure how to build a framework to make this exercise useful. > > Has anyone participated in a Visioning Meeting for their organization? What > did it look like? Specifically, what was the scope and what were the goals? > Who facilitated the meeting? How many people attended? What did you > accomplish? If anyone has an agenda or outline they could share, I'd > appreciate it. > > Thanks! > > Alysia

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Whole Sale Accounts - JBI
by momoko saunders 07 Jan '20

07 Jan '20

Hey all, I've been chatting with a lead sales rep from JBI regarding the troubles some bike collectives have in securing whole sale accounts. He was super sympathetic and wanted to see how he could help smooth over the process. Any of you all needing help in this regard? Is this still an issue? I know QBP is hard, but has anyone ever tried JBI and had issues? Feel free to DM me. I can send your contact to the rep so he can help facilitate an account creations. Cheers, -Momoko

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Visioning Meetings
by Alysia Herr 07 Jan '20

07 Jan '20

Hi buds, I'm with Kickstand Community Bikes, a volunteer-run space in Vancouver, BC. We're in the midst of some big changes: a shop move, general increase in volunteer-time, and increase in shop user-ship. All good things, but we've decided that it's probably time for visioning meeting. However, it turns out folks have some different ideas about what this means. I have my own ideas, but I haven't participated in this sort of meeting before, so I'm not sure how to build a framework to make this exercise useful. Has anyone participated in a Visioning Meeting for their organization? What did it look like? Specifically, what was the scope and what were the goals? Who facilitated the meeting? How many people attended? What did you accomplish? If anyone has an agenda or outline they could share, I'd appreciate it. Thanks! Alysia

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Transition to trusted volunteer
by Gordon Hamachi 04 Jan '20

04 Jan '20

Dennis: I am with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange. We have an explicit conflict of interest policy designed to prevent volunteers at any level from profiting from their volunteer activities. Removing the incentive of personal financial gain helps to see that volunteers are taking more responsibility for the right reasons. Our shop leadership is mostly self-selected volunteers who show up at our steering committee meetings that happen every other month. From this additional time commitment and willingness to take action items it quickly becomes evident who is a committed and trusted volunteer. Responsible leaders are developed, not born. You should be taking steps to meet and get to know the volunteers to decide which ones you trust. Remember their names. Make them feel welcome, continually remind them of your shop’s goals and organizing principles. Invite them to incrementally assume more responsibility. I got drawn into a leadership role at my shop when I observed how hard our leader was working, and asked if there was something I could do to help share the burden.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Examples of free-standing bike storage
by BikeConcord 04 Jan '20

04 Jan '20

Here is our rack. We remove pedals and turn handlebars. Best regards and Happy pedaling! “Smitty” (S. M. Ardrey) Community Outreach & Bike Kitchen Coordinator a.k.a. The Instigator (925)285-1814 BikeConcord.org Facebook: BikeConcord Bike Concord's nonprofit 501(c) 3 sponsor is Bike East Bay BikeEastBay.org >> On Jan 2, 2020, at 5:21 PM, Gordon Hamachi <gordon.hamachi(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > David: > > Here is a link to my free standing, low cost bike rack design, with notes on construction. I designed it for space-efficient storage of the bikes in my garage, with access to any bike. Fence posts provide a frame to hang bikes vertically from hooks. The flat top deck is good for storage. > > The linked page contains designs for a number of different bike racks by various people. In case the link doesn't take you to the start of my vertical design when viewed in your browser, scroll vertically to the middle of the page or search for "Bike Rack 2.0". > > https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/1221/diy-wooden-bike-rack-look… > >> >> >> From: David Coppley <DCoppley(a)intercitytransit.com> >> Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2020 18:18:55 +0000 >> >> >> I need to build some free-standing bike storage for our bike program. I have a large open space for storage, and am looking to fit more bikes in the space. >> >> >> >> Please share photos and designs for bike racks that… >> >> >> >> * Stand on their own, without support or attachment to walls >> >> * Hold 10 or more bikes each >> >> * Bonus points for frugality >> > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > > Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…

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