TheThinkTank May 2021

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

29 participants
14 discussions

BikeBike! ? - Any new news?
by momoko saunders 08 May '21

08 May '21

Hey all, This morning I find myself really missing my bike bike friends. I wasn't able to make the one in 2019 and then, well, 2020 was a no go. Any news on plans for 2021? Virtual? we could have it be really informal. Use the BikeBike website to post a topic and instead of a location, it would be a zoom room. Just thinking of you all and wishing you the best wherever you are. Best, -Momoko

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Support Fired Blackstone Bikes Mechanics!
by Experimental Station Union 06 May '21

06 May '21

http://bit.ly/BBWfund For nearly 20 years, Blackstone Bicycle Works has been more than a place to buy a bike or get a flat fixed. From helping customers get sized for their first bike to teaching young people how to build their own bikes, the mechanics at Blackstone have been an integral part of the cycling community and the South Side. Through the pandemic, as interest in cycling surged and the need for safe transportation grew, the mechanics worked through it all to meet our communities’ need for transportation. Just after Christmas, Experimental Station leadership decided to close the shop indefinitely, with only a week’s notice. In January 2021, the three remaining staff mechanics were laid off! Since Josh, Kevin, and Nana were laid off, those who have applied have been denied unemployment. We are asking our communities for monetary support to cover their lost wages. All funds raised will be split between the three mechanics who were laid off! Blackstone Bicycle Works is a community bike shop and youth program based out of the Experimental Station in Woodlawn. It’s been a beloved part of Chicago’s cycling community for decades, and many from the program have had deep and long relationships with the community and the neighborhood. The wide network of alumni and former staff have gone on to start bike shops, programs, and organizing efforts. Too often, though, Blackstone Bicycle Works staff have been treated disposably. While there is much more healing to do and work to prevent these cycles of disposability, the first step is to support our fellow workers. Donate at bit.ly/BBWfund Share our posts: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/COQVzaCBtuy/) [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/expstationunion/posts/123895259799533) [twitter](https://twitter.com/expstationunion/status/1387801834971189249) And here are[text slide images](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1tjez5mVZXReXz-WCjXdCYsy… make your own post! Workers at the Experimental Station Union are fighting for better working conditions for all employees, a safe workplace, the right to address grievances and seek accountability for a more collectively determined future. Our efforts have been met with union busting from the Experimental Station Board. You can read more at [esunion.org](http://esunion.org/) or @expstationunion on [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/expstationunion/), [twitter](https://twitter.com/expstationunion), and [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/expstationunion). Love and solidarity, Experimental Station Union

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Language Justice / Justicia del Lenguaje
by Angel York 05 May '21

05 May '21

I have been learning a lot about language justice recently. A lot of this is new to me because as a motor minimalist, Bike!Bike! has always been too far away for me to attend. I love it! But it's also a surprise because I never see it on the Think Tank. What would bringing language justice to the Think Tank look like? Thanks, Angel she/her ----------- Estoy aprendiendo mucho de justicia del lenguaje recientemente. Mucho de esto es nuevo para me porque yo so una motor minimalista, y Bici!Bici! siempre ha estado demasiado lejos. A mi me gusta esta nuevo (a mi) idea! Pero tambien es una sorpresa porque nunca la veo en el Think Tank. Podemos pensar y discutir como podemos hacer justicia del lenguaje aqui? Gracias, Angel ella P.S. Lo siento, no se donde es mejor usar lox Xs en vez de a or o. Mis profesores no me han ensenado eso 20 anos pasado en la escuela.

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Volunteers in the shop
by Adam-Phoenix Mitchell 02 May '21

02 May '21

Hi y'all, We're wondering what other shops are doing around volunteering at this stage of the pandemic? 1. Are you bringing in new volunteers? If so, how? 2. Are you allowing individuals to work on their bikes in your space? If so, how? We'd love your input and thoughts! Thanks! --- Freeride Montpelier Community Bike Shop freeridemontpelier.org

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TheThinkTank May 2021