- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

(no subject)
by Ann Altstatt 12 May '12

12 May '12

Hello Think Tankers-- I'm passing on a message on behalf of the Santa Cruz Bike Church. We are testing the waters to see if any other organizations would be interested in helping us fund the BikeBike travel expenses for a fellow mechanic from a Oaxacan bike project. Read on! Dear Bike Collectives, I just spent a month in Oaxaca at CACITA, a center for "appropriate technologies" that focuses mostly these days on bike-powered machines (e.g. water pumps, corn grinders, washing machines, etc), but also has worked building composting toilets, solar ovens, biodiesel conversions, and low-tech grey water filters. They are an anarchist collective, whose members participated in the uprising in Oaxaca in 2006, and whose machines and workshops often go to benefit the indigenous communities in the area. I am hoping to help their lead mechanic Eric (yes, he is Mexican despite the Viking name) go to BikeBike! There is simply no chance of CACITA paying for that voyage, but the Bike Church has already committed to paying up to $200 towards helping buy him a plane ticket. If we can patch together some more donations for a total of around $600, that should be sufficient. If your project can make a donation please reply ASAP to Steve at sschnaar(a)riseup.net. You can send checks to "the Bike Church" at 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (but please also email to advise you are sending it). Also FYI I had gone down to Mexico originally in response to an email from El Machete, a project in Chiapas, in the city of San Cristobal. Perhaps you all got the same email in your collectives? Upon arrival I was disappointed to find the shop run by foreigners mostly from France, with lots of traveling punks from the US and Canada crashing there as well. I will not speak to any specific criticisms I have as I am trying to have a constructive dialogue with them about why I left, and in their defense they say they are a multinational collective including some Mexicans. But as I was not the only one there who had come in response to their email some months ago, and who was surprised to find a situation far different than I had expected, I thought it might be useful information for others. Best wishes, Steve Schnaar Collective Member The Bike Church 703 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831/425-BIKE bikechurch(a)santacruzhub.org

4 3

Partnership with the Alliance for Walking and Biking
by Jonathan Morrison 11 May '12

11 May '12

We have been working with the Alliance for Walking and Biking to establish a partnership that will help Community Bike Shops grow and achieve their goals, as well as help bridge the gaps in the bicycle advocacy community at large. http://bikeportland.org/2012/03/26/community-bike-shops-are-changing-the-fa… We invite you to join in the conversation. Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

11 13

Amsterdam is catching up to Bike Culture in the USA...
by Jonathan Morrison 11 May '12

11 May '12

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world/europe/amsterdam-tries-to-change-cu… Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

1 0

List of bicycle co-ops
by Mark Stewart 11 May '12

11 May '12

Hi! I'm considering encouraging the start-up of a bicycle co-op in my small town. I understand that you can send me a list of co-ops, and I think that might be helpful. Would you be willing to do that? Mark

6 5

test
by lenore＠cyclistlaw.com 09 May '12

09 May '12

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Tool Theft
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 09 May '12

09 May '12

5 4

Roadtrip to Bike!Bike! - Vancouver
by Rachel Morris 09 May '12

09 May '12

Anyone going to Bike!Bike! this year? It's June 21-24 in Vancouver BC, www.bikebike.org. I've never been. It would be great to find others going up the California Coast to car-share with. I got rid of my car - but I'm happy to pitch in for gas and help driver and such. You can contact me at rachel(a)vccool.org. I'm in Ventura, CA.

1 0

Cargo Bike Frame Building Apprenticeship
by Derek Thomas 08 May '12

08 May '12

Hello Think Tankers. We have been trying to post but for some reason no luck with our email humanpowerednetwork(a)catoregon.org * *For THE HUMAN POWERED NETWORK: <http://hpm.catoregon.org/?page_id=534> * * With the current popularity of cargo bikes we have seen an influx of builders and importers bringing more bikes to market. But it’s not just about bikes. For over 20 years, Jan VanderTuin through *Human PoweredMachines*<http://hpm.catoregon.org/>has been focused on localizing the production of cargo bikes and fitting them into community. Its time to pass it on. The apprenticeship program prepares individuals to create their own unique, bicycle-based social enterprise and shop. We aren’t just retaining for bike building…we emphasize finding broader context for your skills. For example; your shop might also be a teaching facility for at risk kids. Or you may have a CSA delivery business driven by cargo bike. We offer intensive, hands on training in : -Welding, brazing, machining and powder coating. -Designing and prototyping in computer aided design (CAD) -Industrial sewing based on our production line of rain gear. -Organic gardening with emphasis on the true cost of food -Marketing, website and graphic design Our dream? To create a formal association, the *Human Powered Network*. To bring together smaller scale frame builders into a cooperative entity using the established designs of Human Powered Machines. These designs are offered as open-source to apprentices who have completed the program.

2 1

Open Street map of Bike co-ops finally available
by L'Heureux Cyclage 05 May '12

05 May '12

Dear all, Please have a look on this article about the new Open Street map that we published: http://www.heureux-cyclage.org/La-carte-de-L-Heureux-Cyclage-le.html?lang=en. You can now easily include it in your website, pointing on your own bike co-op. If you dont fin it here: http://www.heureux-cyclage.org/Les-ateliers-velo-dans-le-monde.html?lang=en you can reference it with that form: http://www.heureux-cyclage.org/Referencer-un-nouvel-atelier.html?lang=fr I hope you will find it useful. As it is on free software, any contribution to enhance this map is welcome. Thanks for circulating this information. Cheers, Julien

1 0

BICAS in Tucson, Arizona is hiring!
by Kylie Walzak 04 May '12

04 May '12

BICAS is seeking to hire a Staff/Collective Member. Date Posted: 05/04/12 Position: Staff Collective Member Organization: BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) Start Date: June 1st, 2012 Duration: We are looking for a long-term collective member. Location: Tucson, AZ BICAS is a non-profit bicycle recycling an education center that teaches people from all walks of life how to fix and maintain bicycles. The ideal candidate will be passionate about the bicycle as a viable, sustainable and healthy form of transportation and eager to share that enthusiasm with our visitors both in and out of the shop. BICAS is dedicated to serving everyone, regardless of background, and frequently works with youth, homeless, refugee, Spanish-speaking, and low-income populations. Experience working with these populations in any non-profit capacity is a plus, as is being bi or multilingual. Bicycle mechanical knowledge is not required but is desired. The ability to teach in a caring, compassionate, and hands-off approach is necessary. This position includes outreach and expansion of organizational presence in the surrounding community.   Minimum Qualifications 1. Out going and self-motivated personality who can work efficiently and effectively in both a chaotic environment and individually. 2. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse people while observing sensitivities and differences 3. Ability to foster an environment of empowerment and cooperation 4. Strong communication skills including: interpersonal, electronic, and group setting. 5. Ability to work collaboratively with staff and community members 6. Ability to multi-task and serve several customers at a time 7. Passion for bikes and bicycling as transportation Desired Qualifications 1. Experience organizing volunteers or staff 2. Experience coordinating events 3. Experience working in a leadership role of a non-profit organization, collective or equivalent 4. Excellent written and verbal communication and public relations skills 5. Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of bike repair and bike mechanics 6. Experience teaching one-on-one or in class settings 7. Familiarity with related sustainability, safety and health issues 8. Experience in sustainable business practices 9. Ability to set measurable goals and see them through to their completion. 10. Computer literacy, Familiarity with Quick Books, and Google Office programs 11. Spanish-speaking bilingual or multilingual. 12. Commitment to the use of the bicycle as a legitimate form of transportation. Job Tasks: 1. At least 2 scheduled shifts (15 hours) in the community tools area where your primary duties will be to support visitors in bicycle repair, assist work-trade and community service visitors, coordinate volunteers, record sales and services using the cash register and other systems in place, and represent BICAS in a pleasant and professional manner. 2. Attend and participate in mandatory, twice monthly collective and staff meetings on Wednesday nights (4 paid hours per month) 3. Participate in occasional sub committees to further the organization 4. Willingness to participate in educational activities including Basic Maintenance, Build-a-Bike programs, volunteer training, and advanced classes if technical skills allow. 5. Participate in off-site events including promotional events, mobile bike repair, bike drives, and monthly outreach events. (at least 4 hours per month) 6. Participate in the annual Art Auction and other fundraising activities 7. Build used bikes for resale and to gain mechanical experience. (4 hours a week) 8. Support the development, promotion and implementation of BICAS programs by selecting an area of expertise from the following aspects of the organization: Education, Outreach, Art, Volunteer Coordination, Shop Organization, Accounting, Grant Writing, Fund Raising. 9. This is a part-time position. Base rate is $9 per hour or based on experience. Accepted applicant will be guaranteed 15 hours of scheduled shifts, 4 hours per month of meetings, 4 hours per week of building floor bikes on off hours and 4 hours of off-site outreach opportunities per month. It is expected that the applicant will participate in these activities bringing the total hours to an average of 21 hours a week. There is ample opportunity for growth at BICAS. We are looking for a highly motivated person that will be able to help develop an area of expertise from the following aspects of the organization: Education, Outreach, Art, Volunteer Coordination, Shop Organization, Accounting, Grant Writing, Fund Raising. To Apply: Please submit the following to bicas(a)bicas.org with “Staff Collective Member” in subject line by May 15, 2012. 1. A cover letter: In your cover letter, address the following: · How does your experience relate to actively advancing the BICAS mission of Do-It-Yourself, empowerment, inclusivity and cooperation. · Please address “Job Tasks #8 specifically and what area of BICAS you are attracted to advancing. What are your goals in this position? 2. A resume 3. At least three work-related references (required) including the names, current addresses and telephone numbers. Additional Information for job applicants: BICAS is a non-for profit community bike shop established in 1989 as Bootstraps to Share, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless. After many peoples efforts it was realized that the bicycle and being able to provide your own mechanical support was vital to getting people to food, shelter, and work. Thus BICAS was formed in 1994 with a focus on the bicycle but expanding the vision to youth, students and anyone that has the will and desire to learn about the bicycle as a legitimate and sustainable form of transportation. We continue to serve this mission with a commitment of our resources to the community to learn about bicycle repair and offer those without means the opportunity to work for trade of community tool use, used parts and used bicycles. BICAS provides inclusive and open shop space, knowledge sharing, educational classes and affordable refurbished bicycles to the community as a service and to generate funds for the organization. Revenue from the sales of recycled bicycles currently funds overhead to maintain shop operations with additional grants for supplemental projects. BICAS has over 3500 people utilize Community Tools every year, over 700 people using our work-trade program for over 3800 hours of work-trade per year, and over 200 people (100 being 18 years or under) doing over 1500 hours of community service per year on a shoe string operating budget of approximately $200,000 per year. You bet what we are doing is important. BICAS is a highly rewarding responsibility for those that work as staff but is often a very demanding job. A successful candidate will be familiar with BICAS bylaws, policies and procedures; have an understanding of and desire to implement the mission and vision and long-term goals of the organization; openness to learning and trying new approaches; ability to work unconventional hours when necessary; ability to work in various locations in greater Tucson and attend various committee meetings throughout the year. Please look through the rest of our website for additional information about us. www.bicas.org BICAS currently employs 12 part-time staff members. All staff and the volunteer board of directors form the BICAS collective. The collective is the base for all major decisions regarding the organizations structure and policies. For this reason it is of the utmost importance that all members participate in the collective process. Staff is held accountable to the collective. The BICAS collective strives to provide its employees with a living wage based on its current annual budget which is why we need all collective members to be involved with advancing the organization and involved in fundraising activities. The BICAS staff member has opportunity to grow in the organization based on personal motivation to be involved. The current policy for raise is $.50 raise for 500 hours worked in an attempt to reward experience, long-term commitment and increased participation in the organization. BICAS staff are allowed up to 6 weeks unpaid leave per year as long as leave does not impede shop operations. Staff is required to find their own substitutes for long or short leave of absence. Longer leave is possible with collective approval but will not be acceptable for 2 consecutive years. Leave overlap is based on seniority. New hires will not be eligible for extended leave within 6 months of hire date. This position requires awareness and passion about social and environmental sustainability, local economics and bicycle mechanics, cooperative involvement and collective decision-making. Operating a bike project to these standards in an institutional environment and larger community takes tenacity and passion. Successful candidates will be experienced organizers who are interested in working hard and being flexible in order to get things done. This position requires representing and advocating for BICAS in the greater Tucson area. We look forward to reading your application! love, peace, and bicycle grease~ your friends at BICAS http://www.bicas.org

1 0