May 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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Remote Learning in the Age of Coronavirus
by Wade Rubinstein 04 Sep '20

04 Sep '20

Hi. I run an in school Earn-A-Bike and open workshop program in Lowell, Massachusetts. All schools in Massachusetts, including the Lowell Public Schools, are closed for the remainder of the school year. Schools are moving to remote learning plans. How to adapt? What are your suggestions on creating remote learning programs and activities that engage students in cycling during the summer months (and possibly during the next school year)? Some students have access to bikes. Some do not. For students that do have bikes, many of their bikes are in disrepair. I'm sitting on a sizable inventory of donated bicycles that need refurbishment. Most students have access to a SmartPhone and/or other digital device (laptop, Chromebook, tablet). Many thanks for your input. Wade The Bike Connector Lowell, Massachusetts

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current bike supply
by Cyclista Nicholas 25 May '20

25 May '20

Hi everyone, I've heard everywhere that bikes are in extremely short supply, especially because of an extremely high demand currently, and that this dynamic is even more pronounced due to tariffs imposed on China. Now obviously, this might spur domestic production of bicycles, which maybe could be awesome. But in the meantime, it isn't awesome - people can't get bikes. Those of us out there - maybe most of us - who deal primarily in used bikes, in the meantime *are* (or can be) that domestic production. I'm bringing this up in case anyone hasn't though of it all or really processed it yet, because I imagine everyone's local or even state governments are currently accepting proposals for various grants. At this time, collectively, we literally, physically are positioned to be major gatekeepers to possibly tens of thousands of people becoming cyclists or resuming cycling who otherwise wouldn't, when major retailers and various LBS have no ability to meet demand. This is also a huge opportunity to turn the general public on to the goodness and soundness of reused bikes. A lot of people think if it's old or used, it's diminished in some way. All of us know that isn't true, and now we have a greater ability than ever to prove the truth of this message. Here at Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles we've been running nonstop, though with a skeleton crew, since the virus hit, and reusing old bikes for ecological reasons has been one of our primary purposes for several decades. I'm sure most of you don't need it, but if anyone needs or wants pointers or advice, I'd be happy to help. Getting funding to pay mechanics or hire additional mechanics is probably the starting point. Survive, cyclistas!!! <3 ~cyclista Nicholas

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Bike/ped-centered AmeriCorps position seeking applicants
by David Coppley 18 May '20

18 May '20

Greetings bicycle loving folks, We are currently recruiting an AmeriCorps member for the 2020-21 program year. This is a good opportunity for someone interested in starting a career in bike and pedestrian focused advocacy and/or youth engagement. Please see the listing below (or attached pdf), and share with any contacts you think might be interested. Thanks for reading, David Intercity Transit seeks an AmeriCorps Volunteer to serve as the Education and Outreach Assistant. Intercity Transit's Walk N Roll program collaborates with schools and community partners to offer educational programming that encourages the use of walking, biking, and using public transit for transportation. The AmeriCorps Member will teach youth and families about environmentally friendly transportation options through a variety of hands-on education and outreach activities. Activities teach participants skills in bike and pedestrian safety, bike mechanics, and how to ride public transit. The Member will help participants learn life-long skills to prepare them for the possibility of choosing a car free future. For application information and a complete position description, please visit: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=95537&fromSearch=true<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DEwA_YDfAsWH3pmGVV5ciUAfb3gjs8TRVDX4XFKx62DE…> David Coppley Walk n' Roll Program Assistant Intercity Transit 360-705-5817 (office) 360-701-8379 (cell) PO Box 659 Olympia, WA 98501 dcoppley(a)intercitytransit.com<mailto:dcoppley@intercitytransit.com> Follow us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/WalkNRollIT/> & Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/walknrollit/> [WalkNRoll_HZ_RGB] David Coppley Walk n' Roll Program Assistant Intercity Transit 360-705-5817 (office) 360-701-8379 (cell) PO Box 659 Olympia, WA 98501 dcoppley(a)intercitytransit.com<mailto:dcoppley@intercitytransit.com> Follow us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/WalkNRollIT/> & Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/walknrollit/> [WalkNRoll_HZ_RGB]

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California bike co-ops/community shops?
by Jane Voodikon 12 May '20

12 May '20

To any community bike spaces located in California: The communications person from CalBike is looking to interview people on their spaces' needs during the pandemic, as part of a larger campaign to find funding/support. Please see Laura's email below and reach out to her if you'd like to chat! ---- I do communications for CalBike and I’m working on a post for CalBike’s website about community bike shops and what kind of support they need right now. I’d love to chat with someone about what’s going on at your organization right now and what kind of support you need to help you keep serving the community. Let me know if someone is available to chat and we can set up a time for an interview. Thank you, Laura McCamy laura(a)calbike.org 510-214-6156

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Automating the shop
by Adam / Phoenix Mitchell 12 May '20

12 May '20

Hey all, We have developed a scheme to allow folks to schedule time with us in a safe and efficient way. We're currently fixing people's bikes for them after they drop their bike off, where we used to just give advice and lend a hand when needed. We also are offering test-rides by appointment. We followed this procedure roughly: https://medium.com/entrepreneurship-technology-blog/manage-your-clients-wit… It helps us to focus on things needing to get done at the shop without all the phone calls and scheduling, since we can't have any customers in the shop with us. Nicely organizes it in AirTable so we can get to work getting people on bikes. Our Calendly page is here if you want to check it out: https://calendly.com/freeridemontpelier Cheers, Phoenix

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"Bike Month"
by Ainsley Naylor 01 May '20

01 May '20

Happy May Day everyone! I'm curious if and how folks are deciding to participate in "Bike Month" this year, since most regular activities or events can't happy during the pandemic. Since we are usually busy busy running classes and open shop in our space, we have some extra time on our hands this season that could be used to celebrate, support and encourage cycling in other ways. *I'd love to hear if anyone has come up with ideas to engage people, specifically outside of your shop spaces.* I also understand that even just *continuing to exist* is keeping our hands full in many places, so I certainly don't expect most organizations have the time or energy (or funds) to think about "Bike Month". Stay well, Ainsley (Charlie's/Bike Pirates, Toronto)

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