February 2022 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Webhosting/domains
by Bike City 25 Mar '25

25 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 03 May '23

03 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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Service Tickets and Bike Tags
by Amanda Chilson 29 Apr '23

29 Apr '23

Good Afternoon, I am wondering if bike collectives and shops could share what they are using for service tickets or slips when a bike is being purchased, when preparing a bike to sell, when people drop off a bike to be fixed/tuned and/or a bike that was donated? Thank you so much for your help! Amanda Chilson Health and Wellness Coordinator Northern Berkshire Community Coalition 61 Main St. Suite 218 North Adams, MA 01247 413-663-7588 Ext. 16 www.nbccoalition.org

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Save B!B!E!2022! / Salven a B!B!E!2022
by Bike!Bike! Everywhere! 27 Feb '22

27 Feb '22

*Español abajo* *Bike!Bike! Everywhere! Needs YOUR help for 2022* Yup! You! YOU (and/or your shop) could be the person helping to run the event in 2022. Last year's esteemed organizing masterminds will be living their best bike lives touring the continent during time leading up to the November time slot in which BBE would happen. This is where you come in! Now that it’s a second rendition of the event, all the “How do I do this?” and “What should we use for that?” questions have been answered, and you can slide smoothly into a *coordination role *and help it all happen! (I mean, if you want to change things up, be empowered! We’re just trying to make it sound as *easy* as it is) So what now? *Reply to bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com <bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com>* and say, “I’ll do it! I’ll make it happen!” or maybe just “I’ll help organize with y’all!” Or! Do it as a bike shop or a group!! Fun for the whole family! No tech experience necessary! This is what's needed: - Care about diversity, language justice, and welcoming spaces - Write and send announcements and reminders - Write lists in a shared doc - Schedule and attend meetings - Keep track of what needs to happen and connect tasks with people - Maybe even update a wiki! *But act fast! If we don’t have a steering person or persons by March 3, we’re going to have to postpone or cancel the event!* Thanks, Bike!Bike! Everywhere! Organizing team [image: image.png] *Bike!Bike! En todas partes! Necesita de TU ayuda para el 2022* ¡Sí!¡Tú! TÚ (y/o tu taller) pueden ser quienes ayuden a llevar el evento en 2022. Nuestras estimadas mentes maestras en la organización estarán viviendo sus mejores vidas en bici, viajando a lo largo del continente durante los meses previos a noviembre, mes en el que ocurriría el BBE. ¡Aquí es donde entras tú! Ahora que va a ser la segunda edición del evento, todas las preguntas de “¿cómo hago esto?” y “¿qué usamos para aquello?” han sido resueltas ¡Puedes fácilmente deslizarte a un *puesto de coordinación *y ayudar a que todo suceda! (O sea, si quieres cambiar las cosas ¡adelante! Solo queremos decir que está bien *fácil*) ¿Y ahora qué? *Manda un correo a bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com <bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com>* y di “¡Yo me la rifo! ¡Haré que suceda!” o tal vez solo “¡Yo les ayudo con la organización!” O háganlo en equipo, o como taller de bicis ¡Diversión para toda la familia! ¡No se necesita experiencia tecnológica! Lo que sí se necesita es: - Cuidado con respecto a la diversidad, la justicia del lenguaje y los espacios incluyentes - Escribir y enviar anuncios y recordatorios - Escribir listas en un documento compartido - Agendar y asistir a reuniones - Llevar registro de qué tiene que hacerse y enlazar tareas con personas - ¡Tal vez hasta actualizar una wiki! *¡Pero actúa rápido! ¡Si no tenemos suficientes personas al volante para el 3 de marzo, tendremos que posponer o cancelar el evento!* Gracias, El equipo de urbanización de Bike!Bike! ¡En todas partes!

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New York State bike survey - let’s get some convo on equity going!
by Matt VanSlyke 16 Feb '22

16 Feb '22

Hi Folks, Please see below for important info on an effort going on here in NY. Apologies for the forward, but this is the best way to get the right information out there. The guy leading this effort is a long-time supporter of community bike shops and a lifelong bike advocate. So let’s see if we can help get some diverse voices to answer their survey. Best, Matt V Utica Bike Rescue I am writing to ask that you please share the FIRST EVER comprehensive "New York State Bicycling Census" - funded by NYSERDA - with your agency's extensive network of contacts across upstate*.* (*The survey, linked here <https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi>, will be open for several months.*) The purpose of this survey is to help determine who is biking across New York, why they are riding a bike (e.g., health and wellness, daily transportation, reduce an individual's carbon footprint), in what context (urban, ex-urban, rural, on and off road - from small towns to large cities!) and whether or not connecting to mass transit is part of an individual's bike equation. *All participants will be entered to win one of three $150 Planet bike gift cards being offered - and no email addresses or other personal information will be shared or saved. * With a robust dataset, and we have already received 1500 responses in a week since soft launching this effort, we can help decision makers, elected officials and an engaged public to implement policies and programs to accelerate more and safer cycling policies and funding. *HOWEVER*, *there is a strong equity component to this survey effort that I believe your organization can help us address*. We know there are huge numbers of low income folks and people of color who ride bikes, particularly for transportation, and the dataset we collect simply must reflect the reality that we live in a very diverse state. Frankly, if this is a survey of old white guys who wear spandex this effort will not be a success. So, again, please share this survey link <https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi> with your network, across all platforms and as soon as possible. Happy to get on a call or a Zoom to discuss. Best wishes and thank you again! Paul Winkeller, Senior Associate Urban Cycling Solutions 518.330-6301 - cell and text www.urbancyclingsolutions.com <https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=118a3b5e-4d0b093d-1188c26b-000babd906…> -- -- Matt VanSlyke 315.525.9554 (voice or txt)

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The Bike Works in Silver City, New Mexico is looking for help!
by dave baker 16 Feb '22

16 Feb '22

Hello Group, The Bike Works in Silver City, NM is reaching out to the network of amazing folks out there to broadcast that we are looking for additional staff in our shop. We operate a unique shop that is part 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit and part full-service retail shop. We have recently moved to a new shop space right in the heart of Historic Downtown Silver City right across from the local Food Co-op. Silver City, New Mexico is a community of 10,000 situated on the Continental Divide in SW New Mexico. Our town sits at 6000’ and is tucked at the southern edge of the 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest and 500k acre Gila Wilderness with hot springs, sub-alpine forests and vast desert within close reach. We are at the crossroads of Adventure Cycling’s Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and the Southern Tier. We also host the 5 day Tour of the Gila stage road race. If any mechanics out there are interested in relocating to a smaller community with a dynamic cycling scene and to find out more about the Bike Works’ programs, reach out to Dave at bikebaker(a)yahoo.com. Happy Pedaling, Dave Baker The Bike Works bikebaker(a)yahoo.com

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 184, Issue 2
by Dylan Horne 07 Feb '22

07 Feb '22

Here are the reference sheets we provide for Earn A BIke folks. -Dylan On Wed, Feb 2, 2022 at 4:03 PM < thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > Today's Topics: > > 1. Earn A Bike Programs (Dylan Horne) > 2. Re: Earn A Bike Programs (cyclista(a)inventati.org) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Dylan Horne <dylanrosshorne(a)gmail.com> > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2022 06:13:47 -0500 > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Earn A Bike Programs > Hi Y'all, > > At The Pedal Factory in Salisbury, NC, we developed a worksheet for > Earn-A-Bike folks to work through (attached). The worksheet guides them > through our shop mission, basic bike maintenance skills, how to select a > bike, learning the parts of the bike and common tools, as well as safe > riding techniques. They also complete 3 volunteer tasks around the shop, as > their sweat equity contribution. Depending on the need for that day, it > could be cleaning up, sorting parts, unloading the trailer, moving bikes, > or whatever special task might need to be done. They also breakdown one > bike, usually a junker, to get salvageable parts for our used parts > inventory, and to introduce them to turning wrenches. It's much easier to > have people take bikes apart than to try and teach each of them the ins and > outs of fixing up whole bikes. > > We have volunteers prepare bikes that are potential earn-a-bikes, usually > department store bikes that we value around $100. More expensive bikes can > be earned, but the participant must volunteer additional hours/tasks to > make up the difference, or pay the difference. The volunteers get the bikes > to 90-95% ready to go, so that we can check over the bike with the > Earn-A-Bike participant and fix a thing or two and get them on their way. > Once the worksheet is completed, the participant earns their chosen bike, a > helmet, lights and a lock. We take each person on a safety ride to insure > safe riding techniques and to answer additional questions. > > Folks must sign up for Earn-A-Bikes and we have two slots each open shop > day for Earn-A-Bikes. About 60% of people actually come back for their > allotted time. Having folks sign up helps us to manage our time, as well as > reducing the amount of folks that just want to walk in and get a free bike. > We tell folks that it takes 6-8 hours to complete (2 shop days), but some > folks are really proficient and can finish it in 4 hours or so. > > Before this, we had a set amount of volunteer hours that must be > completed to earn a bike. We decided to switch to the worksheet to keep > folks focused on what they needed to accomplish, increasing most folks' > ability to work independently. We also created some reference materials > that contain the answers to the worksheets, so folks have a nice laminated > guide to go by. When we had an hour based system, a lot of staff and > volunteer time was spent trying to get people focused on productive things > instead of just waiting to get the hours. > > We have a similar program for youth, with a similar worksheet that they > work through. We don't require youth to complete volunteer tasks or > breakdown bikes, but some participate in these ways voluntarily. > > In 2021, 88 people completed earn-a-bikes. The worksheet system was really > helpful in delivering uniform requirements and expectations for all > participants. It also provides a great way for us to track the demographics > and how many people utilize this service. > > Thanks, > Dylan > > -- > Dylan Horne, Ph.D. > They / Them > freewheelingdylan.wordpress.com > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: cyclista(a)inventati.org > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:26:58 +0000 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Earn A Bike Programs > Dylan, I love the idea of a worksheet to keep participants focused and a > workbook to reference for basic things; having basic reference > materials, for instance hanging at each workstand, could also de-center > the instructor in potentially useful ways. > > Are the reference materials handy to upload as well? That would be > interesting to see. > > ~cyclista Nicholas > > On 2022-02-02 11:13, Dylan Horne wrote: > > Hi Y'all, > > > > At The Pedal Factory in Salisbury, NC, we developed a worksheet for > > Earn-A-Bike folks to work through (attached). The worksheet guides them > > through our shop mission, basic bike maintenance skills, how to select > > a > > bike, learning the parts of the bike and common tools, as well as safe > > riding techniques. They also complete 3 volunteer tasks around the > > shop, as > > their sweat equity contribution. Depending on the need for that day, it > > could be cleaning up, sorting parts, unloading the trailer, moving > > bikes, > > or whatever special task might need to be done. They also breakdown one > > bike, usually a junker, to get salvageable parts for our used parts > > inventory, and to introduce them to turning wrenches. It's much easier > > to > > have people take bikes apart than to try and teach each of them the ins > > and > > outs of fixing up whole bikes. > > > > We have volunteers prepare bikes that are potential earn-a-bikes, > > usually > > department store bikes that we value around $100. More expensive bikes > > can > > be earned, but the participant must volunteer additional hours/tasks to > > make up the difference, or pay the difference. The volunteers get the > > bikes > > to 90-95% ready to go, so that we can check over the bike with the > > Earn-A-Bike participant and fix a thing or two and get them on their > > way. > > Once the worksheet is completed, the participant earns their chosen > > bike, a > > helmet, lights and a lock. We take each person on a safety ride to > > insure > > safe riding techniques and to answer additional questions. > > > > Folks must sign up for Earn-A-Bikes and we have two slots each open > > shop > > day for Earn-A-Bikes. About 60% of people actually come back for their > > allotted time. Having folks sign up helps us to manage our time, as > > well as > > reducing the amount of folks that just want to walk in and get a free > > bike. > > We tell folks that it takes 6-8 hours to complete (2 shop days), but > > some > > folks are really proficient and can finish it in 4 hours or so. > > > > Before this, we had a set amount of volunteer hours that must be > > completed to earn a bike. We decided to switch to the worksheet to keep > > folks focused on what they needed to accomplish, increasing most folks' > > ability to work independently. We also created some reference materials > > that contain the answers to the worksheets, so folks have a nice > > laminated > > guide to go by. When we had an hour based system, a lot of staff and > > volunteer time was spent trying to get people focused on productive > > things > > instead of just waiting to get the hours. > > > > We have a similar program for youth, with a similar worksheet that they > > work through. We don't require youth to complete volunteer tasks or > > breakdown bikes, but some participate in these ways voluntarily. > > > > In 2021, 88 people completed earn-a-bikes. The worksheet system was > > really > > helpful in delivering uniform requirements and expectations for all > > participants. It also provides a great way for us to track the > > demographics > > and how many people utilize this service. > > > > Thanks, > > Dylan > > > > ____________________________________ > > > > The ThinkTank mailing List > > > > Unsubscribe from this list here: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Dylan Horne, Ph.D. They / Them freewheelingdylan.wordpress.com

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National Safety Policy
by eric＠bikeerie.org 03 Feb '22

03 Feb '22

Hello Fellow Tankers, On the League of American Bicyclists <https://bikeleague.org/content/top-12-actions-national-roadway-safety-strat…> website there is a posting on a future policy on the National Safety Policy. When the new president started talking about Build Back Better my thoughts went to bike lanes, education, safety infrastructure, etc. Not too sure if or when any of that will occur. The important event that I wanted to get out to everyone is the League is providing a webinar on the details on implementation. I couldn’t find anything for a link to it except on Instagram as shown below: Thank you to all the keep this forum going. Eric Brozell BikeErie.org BOD

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Earn A Bike Programs
by Dylan Horne 03 Feb '22

03 Feb '22

Hi Y'all, At The Pedal Factory in Salisbury, NC, we developed a worksheet for Earn-A-Bike folks to work through (attached). The worksheet guides them through our shop mission, basic bike maintenance skills, how to select a bike, learning the parts of the bike and common tools, as well as safe riding techniques. They also complete 3 volunteer tasks around the shop, as their sweat equity contribution. Depending on the need for that day, it could be cleaning up, sorting parts, unloading the trailer, moving bikes, or whatever special task might need to be done. They also breakdown one bike, usually a junker, to get salvageable parts for our used parts inventory, and to introduce them to turning wrenches. It's much easier to have people take bikes apart than to try and teach each of them the ins and outs of fixing up whole bikes. We have volunteers prepare bikes that are potential earn-a-bikes, usually department store bikes that we value around $100. More expensive bikes can be earned, but the participant must volunteer additional hours/tasks to make up the difference, or pay the difference. The volunteers get the bikes to 90-95% ready to go, so that we can check over the bike with the Earn-A-Bike participant and fix a thing or two and get them on their way. Once the worksheet is completed, the participant earns their chosen bike, a helmet, lights and a lock. We take each person on a safety ride to insure safe riding techniques and to answer additional questions. Folks must sign up for Earn-A-Bikes and we have two slots each open shop day for Earn-A-Bikes. About 60% of people actually come back for their allotted time. Having folks sign up helps us to manage our time, as well as reducing the amount of folks that just want to walk in and get a free bike. We tell folks that it takes 6-8 hours to complete (2 shop days), but some folks are really proficient and can finish it in 4 hours or so. Before this, we had a set amount of volunteer hours that must be completed to earn a bike. We decided to switch to the worksheet to keep folks focused on what they needed to accomplish, increasing most folks' ability to work independently. We also created some reference materials that contain the answers to the worksheets, so folks have a nice laminated guide to go by. When we had an hour based system, a lot of staff and volunteer time was spent trying to get people focused on productive things instead of just waiting to get the hours. We have a similar program for youth, with a similar worksheet that they work through. We don't require youth to complete volunteer tasks or breakdown bikes, but some participate in these ways voluntarily. In 2021, 88 people completed earn-a-bikes. The worksheet system was really helpful in delivering uniform requirements and expectations for all participants. It also provides a great way for us to track the demographics and how many people utilize this service. Thanks, Dylan -- Dylan Horne, Ph.D. They / Them freewheelingdylan.wordpress.com

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