- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

moving bikes by bike
by Bob Giordano 15 Apr '08

15 Apr '08

freewheelin' friends, We are having our annual Festival of Cycles this weekend and we are reviving an old tradition: moving all the bikes to the festival by bike/people power. At the peak, we moved 600 bikes on 3 giant haywagons across town to the festival site, with people pushing and pulling- quite fun. We no longer have access to the hay wagons and we are thinking of using lots of boat trailers hooked to bikes, with people walking and biking along side. We have about 400 bikes to move this way- any ideas or thoughts before we began the search for 10 trailers? thanks, -Bob G., Free Cycles Missoula

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who's got resources en español?
by rachael spiewak 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

We just got the news that a community bike shop is in the works in a suburb of Atlanta that's largely populated by Spanish speaking recent arrivals. Thought I'd ask the kind folks on this list for a round up of resources en español to send over to the shop organizers. We've already got the BICAS manual (has some Spanish translations), which is my favorite repair manual in general. Is there a way to filter the Wiki to search only for things in a particular language? Or can there be a section for multilingual resources? Thanks! -rachael -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues/Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat/Sun 2 pm - 5 pm

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BICAS is hiring
by kyle mckinley 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

All- Anyone wanna join us for the warmest weather this side of the Sahara? Please tell your friends and coworkers, especially if they are/ might soon be in Tucson. BICAS, a collectively run non-profit BICYCLE recycling and education center is seeking a part time Staff Collective Member, $8.50/hr. Job Description: assist customers, help with classes, build bikes, coordinate volunteers, etc. Personable and comfortable greeting customers, strong mechanical skills encouraged, bilingual a plus, interest or experience in teaching classes or grant writing/organizational work a plus. Diversity of age, gender, and ethnicity encouraged. Accepting resume˙s until April 25th. Contact bicasunderground(a)yahoo.com or 44 W. 6th St (drop in or mail) for resumes, #628-7950 or e-mail for questions. www.bicas.org. thanks,kyle -- If an Easyrider rides easy, then a bicirider rides bicis

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Re: [TheThinkTank] hijacked espanol "thread". or "junk bikes for the world"
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 10 Apr '08

10 Apr '08

continuing on the theme of not hijacking the thread; my girlfriend just got back from new orleans, where she went to the book collective and got me the new chainbreaker<http://www.microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/2077/>book. it's along these lines, and many people on the list are already familiar with chainbreaker zine. the book is awesome. lots of goodies, and she even put the 4 issues of chainbreaker zine in the back of the book, as the originals were destroyed in hurricane katrina. if you don't have the book, personally, it's an awesome read. good sense of humor, and she's got a list of community bike shops in the back, which is surprisingly up to date, what with it having a 2008 copyright date. well worth the 12 bucks, and an awesome present for someone you like/love. On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 9:14 PM, Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE < urbanbikeproject(a)gmail.com> wrote: > <snip> is there an opportunity to publish a repair manual available to the > general > public? something like "fix any bike or die trying". included would > be such topics as "home-made drop bolts" , "build your dream bike out > of trash on the street" and "my cat could fix this with a hammer, > screwdriver and adjustable wrench (though he should probably use the > proper tools)".</snip>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] parts wanted/available on the wiki?
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 09 Apr '08

09 Apr '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi, Everyone. A mini-Craig's List for bike shops sounds like a genius idea. Sasha On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:33:20 -0400 Jonathan Morrison <jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org> wrote: >The current job posting on bikecollectives.org is actually an >under utilized >classifieds component, we would just need to add some more >categories. > >On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 7:58 PM, <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> I know a lot of the traffic we see in Community Cycles is pretty >specific >> to Boulder. We can't keep cruiser type bikes in stock, while >other shops >> can't give them away. >> >> Would it be possible for there to be a place on the wiki or some >other >> spot on the bcn.org site where shops could list things they're >looking >> for, that other shops might be looking to get rid of? Granted, >we're all in >> need of floor pumps and chain tools, but perhaps there's some >class of >> parts of bike types that one shop gets that another shop needs. >It would be >> nice to see that in one place. >> >> I've got a road trip to IKEA in SLC soon, and I'd love to check >out the >> bike shop while I'm there. It occurred to me that the van will >be empty on >> the way there, so I could potentially load it up with stuff they >might need >> that we have excess of...since we're driving anyway. >> >> I don't know that a website feature like this would take much >> maintenance...I'm thinking it could serve three functions; >1>Those >> parts/bikes that your shop is always needing, but cannot keep in >> stock--cruiser bikes for us--, 2>parts and bikes that you have >an excess of, >> and/or wish to pass on...3>specific things you need that another >shop might >> have, instead of going through QPB or the like. We had a bike >come in that >> had a smashed derailleur, and needed a specific hanger, which >QPB didn't >> even sell...granted, this type of thing would be a long shot, >but how many >> of you would rather order a part like that from one another than >from the >> big bike distros a lot of us use? >> >> I guess I'm imagining a sort of mini-craigslist, for bike co-ops >to post >> on. >> >> Thoughts? Feedback? >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> >> > > >-- >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 > >Get Addicted to Crank! >http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ > >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. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkf83uMACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRmvSACfSW/wJUyFkU2irOaT/bulrSwddPIA n1xC4/1QUAvZUQGHnGSkU++rl19X =71xf -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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parts wanted/available on the wiki?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 09 Apr '08

09 Apr '08

I know a lot of the traffic we see in Community Cycles is pretty specific to Boulder. We can't keep cruiser type bikes in stock, while other shops can't give them away. Would it be possible for there to be a place on the wiki or some other spot on the bcn.org site where shops could list things they're looking for, that other shops might be looking to get rid of? Granted, we're all in need of floor pumps and chain tools, but perhaps there's some class of parts of bike types that one shop gets that another shop needs. It would be nice to see that in one place. I've got a road trip to IKEA in SLC soon, and I'd love to check out the bike shop while I'm there. It occurred to me that the van will be empty on the way there, so I could potentially load it up with stuff they might need that we have excess of...since we're driving anyway. I don't know that a website feature like this would take much maintenance...I'm thinking it could serve three functions; 1>Those parts/bikes that your shop is always needing, but cannot keep in stock--cruiser bikes for us--, 2>parts and bikes that you have an excess of, and/or wish to pass on...3>specific things you need that another shop might have, instead of going through QPB or the like. We had a bike come in that had a smashed derailleur, and needed a specific hanger, which QPB didn't even sell...granted, this type of thing would be a long shot, but how many of you would rather order a part like that from one another than from the big bike distros a lot of us use? I guess I'm imagining a sort of mini-craigslist, for bike co-ops to post on. Thoughts? Feedback?

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Is your bike coop located in a low income neighborhood?
by Cris Shirley 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Hello, I'm currently writing a research paper on the relationship between bicycle collectives and their low income neighborhood communities. Right now, I am looking for members of collectives which are located in low income neighborhoods, poor parts of towns/cities, or ones that specifically finds themselves working with and handling many low income individuals. I will be conducting interviews with these individuals over the phone and will then incorporate into the paper in the form of case study analysis. I'd like to find several people form each of the bike collectives that fit the stated precondition, so please pass this on to other's in your collective that may be interested. Please respond promptly with: Your Name: Collective's name: The location of collective: Phone number: Best Times to Talk: Thanks! Christopher Shirley Undergrad at Yale University

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On Shop tools
by Sherief 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Hello all, This is Sherief from the Austin Yellowbike, and I was hoping to pool the thinktank's experience with shop tools prone to breakage and the like. We're currently having huge issues keeping up with Chain Tools and Presta Valve pumps especially... it feels like not a week goes by without at least one of each of these tools breaking. W/r/t the chain tools, we recently switched from the nicer Park tools to the cheapest we could get out of the catalog, but with the way those break there's effectively no net savings and even when they are functioning the new cheap ones are no good. We try to make sure people know how to use the tools before they do, etc. But my question(s) today is: Do people have any similar experience out there with broken/breakable tools-- specifically good ways to prevent these breakages? Does anyone have any recommendations for good chain tools /PV pumps that can withstand a bit of overeager volunteering? Best, Sherief

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Re: [TheThinkTank] (no subject)
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hello, Everyone. Detroit's own Bec Young, the wonder woman of Back Alley Bikes, has a new print ready and up for viewing on the JUSTSEEDS website. It's called "Deeper Than Mechanics Dare". All this stuff about shop tools and budgeting is pretty great. Thank you for all the helpful information. As soon as this kid is born and I've figured out the immediate lay of the land for the next bit of my life, I'd like to see about starting a community bike shop here in Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit. Windsor has a city bike plan that seems to consist of printing car bumper stickers that say "Share the Road", and Detroit does not have a city bike plan. I've submitted a session proposal to this year's Allied Media Conference in Detroit for a session that would allow anyone who was interested to help work to create a Detroit-Windsor/ Windsor-Detroit regional bike plan. I don't know if they will accept that proposal yet, especially as I'll have to help organize it and then let it go-- I'll be home in Toronto with my absolutely brand new little kid when the conference takes place, and someone else would have to run the session. This whole attempt to create a grassroots (and actually designed by people who use their bikes as their primary means of transportation)regional bike plan here, right at Ground Zero of the car culture, should be interesting. Not many places have the opportunity to figure out how to make an international border crossing point bike friendly-- never mind city counsel-- try figuring out how to approach Homeland Security! We're dealing with sprawl, the auto industry, crazy economic and racial divides, and a whole host of other issues, including the gender problems, which I've written about before. I'm writing about this here, because at some point we're going to have a wiki up, and helpful suggestions and insights from accross the continent would be welcomed. Anyone who wants to write to me off list about creating bike plans, please, please do so. We need allies from everywhere to help heal Detroit and Windsor. It may seem dumb, but I think if we can get something good happening here, we could change the whole culture. (Incidentally, having bikebike! in Detroit and Windsor would be an awesome thing to consider for some futire year.) The first modern oil wells in the world were set up in this region-- in Petrolia and Oil Springs, Ontario. The modern industrial world was born on assembly lines right here. This region's industrial might was key to the Allied victory in WWII. The culture created here and rolling off the assembly lines daily is helping to kill the planet, which is a sad, sad thing, because back in the day, the decent wages and union organizing of this region was a serious force for progressive social change. We have all benefited from Detroit and Windsor. Crossing the river here was once the way from slavery into freedom. This is also the part of the world that hides Tecumseh's bones. People pass buildings named "Renaud" without knowing that that is the French word for Fox, and an allusion to the rich and complex Native American history of the region. These cities are broken, and often ugly, and unpleasant things happen here; they are also full of half-forgotten signs of the complex dynamics of the competing empires that have been fighting over the riches of the Great Lakes region for centuries. And of course, there's Motown, and Aretha Franklin and all those other people you've probably bopped around to. Every year, the Monarch butterflies come up from Mexico, and the cities are full of them. We're on a major bird migration route, too. The ecological importance of the Great Lakes cannot be overstated. If you'd be interested in learning more about this area and helping us create a bike plan that addresses the needs of people in cities in two countries, a plan that includes a strategy for trying to make a border point bike friendly, please get in touch. I'm sorry my posts are always so long, and I'm sorry to the people who have written to me off list to whom I haven't yet responded-- I'm busy and pregnant and my life's a little out of control. I'm still thinking of you-- I hope someone will reply to the post about transgendered space, too. I haven't yet, and I'm sorry to leave something as important as that just hanging out there. Thank you for writing that. Happy spring, everyone. Sasha On Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:05:10 -0400 rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> wrote: >I've read that minimum membership for any nonprofit should be $30 >(too bad I >can't substantiate that right now.. I think maybe I picked that up >from the >Thunderhead Alliance). Check on the free info on >http://foundationcenter.org. > >Here's the art show <http://www.sopobikes.org/events/artshow> >we've got >going on right now. We started organizing it in October and we've >put a >couple hundred bucks into it. I'll let you know if we make money >on it. >Other events we've got in the works are a bicycle flea market >(sellers pay >for a space in our parking lot, buyers shop for free, and we'll >encourage >the sellers to donate their leftovers to us) and a photography >print show >(lots of artists take pics in the shop.. we're very attractive >bike >mechanics) coupled with food demos in the artspace you can see in >the pics >on the art show website. > >-rachael > >On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 7:11 PM, Jennifer Nordhem ><jen(a)milehighmess.com> >wrote: > >> Yeah, we won't be selling a whole lot of bicycles. >> Our mission is primarily to teach and assist people >> with their current bikes. We will have a wholesale >> account with which we can sell them parts. I'm sure >> we will end up with a bike or two here and there, some >> used parts, etc. that we will sell, but that's not our >> goal. >> >> We are going to have a membership program which we're >> playing with right now, figuring out how to price >> things, etc. Does anyone have suggestions on that? >> Mark from Re-cycles pointed out the fault in their >> system, any other advise? >> >> In addition to profits from classes and membership we >> will be holding a monthly art show to advertise our >> services to new potential students and have a little >> fun. >> >> Jen >> Battlesteed >> --- rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> wrote: >> >> > We don't sell refurbished bikes, but a good chunk of >> > our shop generated >> > funds comes from people donating $25 per frame/bike >> > they pick up from us, >> > and they tend to give more for parts even though we >> > consider parts as being >> > included with the bike. We /could/ sell whole bikes >> > for more, but that >> > seems to run up against our general shop philosophy >> > of most things being >> > mostly equal. We don't have membership fees either, >> > which is another great >> > income generator if it works for your >> > shop/organization. >> > >> > -rachael >> > >> > >> > >> > On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 12:22 PM, Mark Rehder >> > <mark(a)re-cycles.ca> wrote: >> > >> > > Same for us. Bike sales dominate our income >> > stream, with parts sales >> > > in 2nd place, and income from do-it-yourselfers >> > behind that. >> > > >> > > Mark Rehder - Director >> > > http://re-cycles.ca >> > > >> > > >> > > On 3-Apr-08, at 11:32 AM, Rich Points wrote: >> > > >> > > > I think it's safe to say that most of the >> > collectives out there >> > > > make most of their money from refurbished bike >> > sales. Last year >> > > > bike sales accounted for about 65% of our total >> > income at Community >> > > > Cycles. Refurbished bike sales are our >> > strongest fund raising tool. >> > > > >> > > > Rich >> > > > http://CommunityCycles.org >> > > > >> > > > Jennifer Nordhem wrote: >> > > >> >> > > >> Jay, We are already in the process of becoming >> > a 501(c)3. We're at >> > > >> the Articles of Incorporation and By Laws >> > writing stage. I know >> > > >> the questions I asked were lengthy, I'm just a >> > little overwhelmed, >> > > >> which I'm sure you can understand. Jen --- Jay >> > Varner >> > > >> <jay(a)sopobikes.org> wrote: >> > > >>> >> > > >>> Hi Jennifer, I'm glad you've found the wiki >> > and website useful. >> > > >>> To answer some of your questions - most (if >> > not all) the shops in >> > > >>> the community that operate on grants and >> > donations are non-profit >> > > >>> (501(c)3) organizations. I'm not sure what >> > model you are going >> > > >>> for. The answers to your questions can be a >> > bit complex. To help >> > > >>> us help you, I'd suggest giving this a read >> > and figuring out >> > > >>> where your project fits: >> > > >> http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php? >> > > >> title=Bike_Collective_Starter_Kit >> > > >>> >> > > >>> On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 9:00 PM, Jennifer >> > Nordhem >> > > >>> <jen(a)milehighmess.com> wrote: >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> Hello everyone, my name is Jennifer Nordhem >> > of the soon to be >> > > >>>> Battlesteed Custom Bike Works in >> > > >>> Denver. >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> We're currently looking for places to rent >> > for >> > > >>> our new >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> shop. I noticed some people say they don't, >> > > >>> which >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> would just be a miracle that I don't foresee >> > > >>> coming >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> true. Here are the questions I have: How much >> > do you pay for >> > > >>>> rent? About how much money do you receive >> > monthly from grants, >> > > >>>> donations, membership fees, sales, etc? How >> > much do you spend >> > > >>>> monthly on tools, etc? I want to get a grasp >> > on what kind of >> > > >>> income/outflow >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> to expect so I can budget how much we can >> > afford spending on >> > > >>>> rent. Thanks everyone! The website and wiki >> > have been extremely >> > > >>>> helpful so far, I'm really happy to see >> > > >>> such >> > > >>>> >> > > >>>> a supportive community. Jen >> > > >>>> >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Thethinktank >> > > >>>> mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > > >> >> > >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >> > > >> bikecollectives.org >> > > >>> >> > > >>> >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Thethinktank >> > > >>> mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > > >> >> > >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >> > > >> bikecollectives.org >> > > >> _______________________________________________ >> > Thethinktank >> > > >> mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > http:// >> > > >> >> > lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >> > > >> bikecollectives.org >> > > > >> > > > -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director >> > http://CommunityCycles.org >> > > > Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 >> > > > _______________________________________________ >> > > > Thethinktank mailing list >> > > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > > > >> > >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >> > > > bikecollectives.org >> > > >> > > _______________________________________________ >> > > Thethinktank mailing list >> > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > > >> > > >> > >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> > > >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > Sopo Bicycle Cooperative >> > 404-425-9989 >> > www.sopobikes.org >> > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * >> > Hours of operation: >> > Tues/Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm >> > Sat/Sun 2 pm - 5 pm >> > > _______________________________________________ >> > Thethinktank mailing list >> > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> > >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> > >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> > > > >-- >Sopo Bicycle Cooperative >404-425-9989 >www.sopobikes.org >* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * >Hours of operation: >Tues/Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm >Sat/Sun 2 pm - 5 pm -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkf5VSAACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRnaMgCfeGfCmxUFoL29fFvMdZ0JUxQV2T8A oI+BUXvwWsTySW2MS/5iZ8hDHKxz =iPZg -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Support Community Bike Shop at Whole Foods 4/8
by Community Bicycle Shop Omaha 04 Apr '08

04 Apr '08

Hello, friends – Whole Foods is generously donating 5% of their sales on Tuesday, April 8, to the Community Bicycle Shop of Omaha. Please stop by any time on Tuesday from 8 am to 8 pm for some grocery shopping, and a portion of your purchase will go toward our operating costs. Omaha's Whole Foods is located at 10020 Regency Circle, just south of Dodge. Thank you so much for your support! The Community Bicycle Shop of Omaha

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