July 2024 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

E-bikes
by Andy Ballentine 01 Dec '25

01 Dec '25

Hi -- How are bike co-ops dealing with e-bikes? We are all-volunteer at the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg (Virginia). We have several very fine mechanics, but none of us is expert in the motors and batteries of e-bikes, and we don't know whether we should accept them as donations or sell them. I'd be interested in others' experience and policies. Thanks -- Andy Ballentine

12 21

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)

8 10

Youth Bike Summit--Early Bird registration through April 26!
by Kim Schaffer 19 Aug '24

19 Aug '24

Hi all! The 2024 Youth Bike Summit is shaping up to be a fantastic event, and we'd love to have you join us in Allentown this summer. Here are details! Please let me know if you have questions- Kim Calling all youth cyclists! Grab your helmets and head to the Lehigh Valley, PA, for the 2024 Youth Bike Summit, June 14-16 YBS2024 will bring together up to 400 youth riders and their adult advocates from across the country for three days of workshops and rides, all designed to help youth lead through the power of the bicycle. The theme of YBS2024 is Youth Lead the Way, with a focus on youth who have historically been excluded from cycling. YBS2024 will kick off on Friday evening with a welcome reception at races at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome. Saturday will offer a full day of classroom- and ride-based workshops, and will include opportunities for attendees to Try the Track at the Velodrome or participate in a Bikes & Boating adventure. YBS2024 will culminate on Sunday with a Big Ride that will take attendees through Allentown, along the historic D&L trail, and to Bethlehem's iconic SteelStacks. The Youth Bike Summit is led by the National Youth Bike Council and the YBS steering committee, which includes youth bike advocates from across the country. Community Bike Works, a Lehigh Valley-based Earn a Bike organization, will host YBS2024. "YBS fosters connections among youth and adults who are passionate about youth cycling, while it also helps to build leadership skills of students who are the future of our cycling community," said Joshua Funches, President of NYBC. "The Youth Bike Summit is a magical, life-changing gathering for young people who love bikes," CBW Youth Projects Coordinator Avery Daniels said. "This is the 10th Youth Bike Summit and the most authentically youth-led YBS to date. We are so excited to welcome everyone to YBS2024. Come ride with us this June!" The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape, and THE LINK trail network have combined for lead sponsorship of the event. National sponsors include Outride, SRAM, The League of American Bicyclists, Sun Bicycles, and Lees-McRae College - Cycling Studies Minor. Local and Regional sponsors include PPL, The Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, County of Northampton, the City of Allentown, the Nurture Nature Center, Capital Blue Cross, Discover Lehigh Valley(r), County of Lehigh, Fox & Roach/Trident Charities, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Piscitello Bicycle Law, PNC Bank, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission/Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, and Invest in Women Entrepreneurs. Details on YBS 2024 are available at https://communitybikeworks.org/youth-bike-summit-2024. Early bird registration for the three-day event-including four meals-runs through April 26 is just $80 for youth 24 and under, and $130 for adults over 24. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-youth-bike-summit-tickets-748892747367 ******************************* Kim Schaffer, Executive Director Community Bike Works www.communitybikeworks.org cell: 484.554.8971

2 2

Fabricate a walker from bike parts?
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 29 Jul '24

29 Jul '24

Our collective, Positive Spin, has received the request below. I know there are some members with good fabrication experience on this list. Has anyone worked on a similar project, have design plans that would fit these specifications, or advice on how to proceed? Greetings: I'm writing to you in hopes that you might be able to literally help me save my life. Between some bad genetics and acquired injuries I'm currently not able to walk in any meaningful way. Some little bit during physical therapy. I've lost significant muscle mass and things are getting worse. I'm a tall person 201cm (6'7") before the accident wherein my spine suffered a compression injury I'm now 196cm (6'5"). This injury also caused lymphedema in both legs so my weight can vary by hundreds of pounds from 165kg -320kg (360# -700#). Walking and bicycling helps control the lymphedema immensely. I've given much thought to what I need and what I want. A doctor friend asked me what I was wanting and I'm going to incorporate my response to him in this letter as I believe it provides a very good idea of what I'm wanting and a bicycle repair shop would be just the place to make this happen. Upfront I'm not currently working I'm on a fixed disability income so I need to keep costs as low as possible; on the other hand we are talking about regaining my life versus dying slowly so I'll find a way to meet the financial requirements to make this happen. What I want to build: I want to build a walker. Because of my injuries and loss of muscle mass a traditional walker can't be used and a wheelchair or powerscooter won't help me walk again or build muscle mass. Kind of a side by side bicycle with step through (girls) frame, 4 wheels (two in front and two rear) but relatively close together (like a wheelchair it needs to fit through doors). A bench seat is preferred but if I must use a bicycle seat I'm going to get a Hobson Pro. Either way the seat will need to be low enough as to be out of the way when walking but there should a my hip or back fail and I drop. Needs to be high enough that I can continue to "walk" even while seated. I also want front and rear brakes as this is WV and we have steep hills. I want some method of locking the wheels so the walker won't roll about while I'm mounting or dismounting. Some place to carry my crutches would be great as would a cargo area (basket, underseat???) and water bottle cage (couple 2 liter bottles). I'm thinking BMX sized fat tires (idk 16" - 20") so I can go in the grass as well as sidewalks and buildings. I believe at its widest it should be no more than 32" and likely no longer than 54", maybe less, as it will also need to fit into elevators and exam rooms. That step through frame will need to be narrow to accommodate a normal leg spread with normal gait and stride (may require a bit of tube [frame] bending or cutting and welding). It will also need to be quite strong to accommodate my weight and my falling weight should my hip or back fail and I take an uncontrolled seat. An alternative to the narrow central frame might be a frame that I stand between. My illustration shows both ideas. Speaking from an engineering stand point I've no idea which would be stronger. To be honest one luxury option I'd like to be able to put on it would be the ability to turn the seat sideways so I could cook at a stove or work in my garden or in my workshop. This walker would immediately release me from the forced captivity in which I'm trapped. Help me regain muscle mass. Help me recover my physical health. Do activities I love and miss and it could even get me back to work. I most sincerely hope that you are willing and able to help. Thank you,

6 8

Phoenix Bikes Hiring an Executive Director
by Emily Gage 08 Jul '24

08 Jul '24

Hi Everyone, Phoenix Bikes is hiring for our next Executive Director. If you know of anyone who might be a good fit, please encourage them to apply! *Job Title: *Executive Director *Organization:* Phoenix Bikes *Location: *Arlington, VA *Salary: *$75,000 - $90,000 *Details*: See Indeed posting <https://www.indeed.com/job/executive-director-317821f41b17d690?_gl=1*1ali10….>. Applications will be accepted through July 19. It's been a fun (and challenging!) position the last 5+ years for me, and I'd love to hand the reins (handlebars?) off to an incredible leader to take the organization forward! Cheers, Emily _________________ [image: Phoenix Bikes] <https://www.phoenixbikes.org/> *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes www.phoenixbikes.org | emily(a)phoenixbikes.org [image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 <https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%202…> [image: icon] (703) 346-0035

1 0

recommendations for filing federal taxes (990/ez) online
by Matthew Pendergraft 02 Jul '24

02 Jul '24

Dear Think Tank - It seems we can no longer file our federal taxes by mail and must e-file / file online. Do you file your federal taxes online, like a 990 or 990-EZ? What website do you use/recommend to file online? For California orgs - the state filing seems easier, still allowing you/us to simply fill, print, and mail-in the forms. But if you have any suggestions there, I'd be happy to hear. Thank you in advance. -Matt Bikes del Pueblo, San Diego - Kumeyaay land

3 4