- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

meeting protocal and questions about programming
by maintenence collective 03 Oct '08

03 Oct '08

Hey from Bike Farm in PDX, We recently had our first meeting back from Bike!bike! and it was incredibly successful. At meetings we usually allow beer-drinking, and its not a huge deal, though has been in the past. This last meeting I noticed someone passing around a pipe. Though that doesn't bother me as an individual, it was slightly distracting and could be a little off-putting to new volunteers (we had 4 newbies at the meeting). What do other shops have as policies surrounding illegal substances..... what about legal substances? Also, we're doing some winter programming and came up with a "winter weatherization class". Does anyone have a ciriculum for this sort of thing.. (ie. best types of tires in the rain, fenders, lights, how to be safe in crappy weather etc). Any other one-to two day classes would be helpful.... and does anyone know of a particular company who might donate, like 30 fenders to us? thanks for all your help!, RaRa

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 26, Issue 3
by burdenistic＠gmail.com 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

BikeBike, Was fabulous and real! I am teeming with ideas and energy from being there. I applaud the organizers who worked their asses off to make it great on a very human level; people who are doers and clear thinkers! Bravo to you all! The world improves one bike at a time! Cheers, Gary On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 4:49 PM, <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org>wrote: > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)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)bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. bike bike (tom emm) > 2. Re: bike bike (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > 3. Re: bike bike - Advocacy (Rich Points) > 4. Re: meeting protocal and questions about programming > (Macho Philipovich) > 5. Re: bike bike (Forrest Cutrer) > 6. Re: bike bike (Bruce Lien) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 16:30:41 -0400 > From: "tom emm" <tom48236(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] bike bike > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <ff627a300810021330l3fe419f7sfcba97eae7d783a(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Nary a word on the recent bike convention held in san francisco. > Somebody please say something, Like can you get a decent slice of > pizza in the city by the bay? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 14:36:55 -0600 > From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] bike bike > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <53e5a1720810021336j324ed48dt15f48fffc3e382c3(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > i dunno about the rest of you, but i'm still waiting for my voice to get > back from san francisco... > > in the best way possible, of course. > > josh. > > > On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 2:30 PM, tom emm <tom48236(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Nary a word on the recent bike convention held in san francisco. > > Somebody please say something, Like can you get a decent slice of > > pizza in the city by the bay? > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > >

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Starting your own?
by Mark Rehder 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

I was asked off-list for advice in getting a bike collective started and keeping it going, and after sending I thought it might be helpful to post it to the list. Mark +++++++++++ Getting one started can be tough. Our shop had some problems getting going, and a similar shop opened this year in another part of town and we've been helping them keep their spirits up while they struggle. The big challenges are: - finding an affordable space (you'll need lots of room for all the bikes and parts) - ability to pay rent while getting things ramped up and income happening - getting insurance For our shop, we started out in donated spaces, but those got taken away as the landlords found paying tenants. After losing our second such space we realized we needed to pay rent and stay in the same location, otherwise it's hard to attract volunteers and customers when they can't trust that you'll stay open. But then the money thing comes in. And landlords don't always like to rent to one person for some vague bicycle collective. We lucked out by approaching a public interest research group (PIRG) on one of the campuses here and became one of their working groups. So they signed the lease for us, and after much wrangling let us have our own bank account. Affiliating with them turned us into a legal entity, so we could get both that bank account as well as insurance. But we still needed some funding to tide us over. We filed a grant application with a local funding org. and were able to get a two-year operating grant, with the provision that we be self-sustaining at the end of the two years. Once again being part of the PIRG made this happen, as there was no way the funder would just give our little collective money without someone taking legal responsibility. So the PIRG got the money and disbursed it to us at regular intervals. In the end it worked out great for us. The PIRG more or less left us alone, especially once they saw how hard we worked, and that we had achieved the self-sustainability within the first year (that made the 2nd year's grant money just extra cash in the band for us). We're still affiliated with them, and have not had to ask anyone for money since that first grant (grant applications, and then the follow- up reports, are a big pain in the butt). We've built up (and maintain) a year's operating expense in the bank in case anything goes wrong, and in terms of our various numbers we've grown each year. One thing we had to do with the grant was track some numbers, since they'd want to see some "results". So we kept track of the number of bikes sold and recycled (scrapped), number of people served, volunteer hours, that sort of thing. And we kept that up after the grant was done, and this has been very useful in helping us identify how the shop gets used. Each year a report is produced and we see how the numbers may have changed, specially if we'd implemented a policy or changed an old one. For instance in 2004 we had approx. 630 people use our shop, and we processed about 150 bikes. In 2005 we moved to a larger room in the same building and those numbers jumped to 1000 and 200 respectively, and by 2007 it was 1500 and 400! If nothing else it showed us that we were on the right track with our operations. About our shop: - We have only one paid person (me) and at that I only get a monthly honourarium (and I worked as Director for four years on a volunteer basis before requesting it). - We sell two different levels of bikes. Fully overhauled, from around $100 to $200, and As Is, meaning safety checked and all systems working but not rebuilt, for $40 and up. Bare frames for projects go from free on up. - Most parts aside from wheels are $1 to $10, but of course the really nice goodies (and we don't get a lot of those) are kept in a locked display case and priced accordingly. My personal opinion is that you should somehow find some funding to get you started, but avoid it after that if at all possible. This way you don't have to answer to anyone beyond your landlord. If you wish to run programs that cannot be self-sustaining just keep in mind that time and energy will have to be spent finding the ongoing funding and maintaining it, and you'll be at the whims of the funding orgs. If you start making a profit (your income exceeds your expenses) then perhaps that would be a good time to look into such projects.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] favorite bike movie
by troy neiman 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

We do a community bike ride and a bike-in movie every month at BICAS in Tucson. We are always looking for fun movies with bike scenes and themes. You can check out this site for bike movies and other sites for reviews http://www.massbike.org/info/movies.htm more obscure and I am guessing not on this list is a film called BLOOD CAR. It came out about a year or two ago and is an excellent Horror film spoof with some of the best bike scenes ever including a kindergarten teacher splattered in blood and bicycling with hatchet in hand chasing a car full of government spies. You probably will not find it at blockbuster but worth tracking it down. Troy @ BICAS > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Davis_S <steve.davis(a)ncsd.k12.ca.us> > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] favorite bike movie > Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:36:44 -0700 > > > I am surprised no one has mentioned the movie Breaking Away-great > movie about adolescence and the power of bikes. > Steve Davis > Seven Hills School > 700 Hoover Lane > Nevada City, CA 95959 > steve.davis(a)ncsd.k12.ca.us > 530-265-1840 ext. 8143 > > > > On Sep 30, 2008, at 8:59 AM, Kim Jensen wrote: > > > 1. E.T. all throughout. > > 2. Intro scene to Donny Darko > > 3. Bike parts in Goonies. > > 4. BMX bandits - if you're like what is that... you must see right > > away- Nicole Kidman is rocking BMX and flatlander stunts and more, > > she's like 13 years old > > 5. Some dutch film, forgot the name- but the main girl was promiscuous > > and had a lil gold windmill attached to her handlebars.... and the > > bike bloomers! > > 6. I second 2 seconds. > > > > This was a fun break from the norm, great to see people excited in > > response. To all you riding from Bike Bike to S.C. ride on, be safe, > > wish I was there!! > > > > XX > > Kimchi > > Bicycle Kitchen - LA baby! > > > > > > On Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 2:40 PM, Ann Altstatt <annaltstatt(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> hey everybody, what's your favorite bicycle related movie? > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Thethinktank mailing list > >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >> > >> > > > > > > > > -- Kim Jensen > > > > Studio > > la (213) 482 76 62 > > www.fleurstudio.com > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com

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Re: [TheThinkTank] favorite bike movie (cedric@holycitybikecoop.org)
by Holy City Bike Co-op 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Speaking of movies on bikes, I'm thinking more and more about bicycles as a way to provide a broader message. As a mode of transportation that respects its environment (both physical and human), they are ideal catalysts for social change. And that is probably why bike co-ops make sense. Anyhow, it's been wonderfully informative to follow the list. I look forward in further participation as we grow. We also anticipate the Bike Bike Southeast! to be wonderful. Maybe we could volunteer to teach a mechanic's class, or something like that (brakes, chain, tires)? Bikes! Cedric cedric(a)holycitybikecoop.org --- On Tue, 9/30/08, thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org> wrote: From: thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org> Subject: Thethinktank Digest, Vol 25, Issue 26 To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 4:01 PM Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to thethinktank(a)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)bikecollectives.org You can reach the person managing the list at thethinktank-owner(a)bikecollectives.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: favorite bike movie (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) 2. Re: favorite bike movie (rachael spiewak) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:36:16 -0600 From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] favorite bike movie To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Message-ID: <53e5a1720809301136ob88fdah74942bb5e7cbdb48(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" is anyone else interested in trading--ahem--sharing movies with the group? most of the ones i've got are more mainstream--breaking away, american flyers, triplets, etc--but i'd be into expanding our library for movie nights and such. strictly for "educational" purposes, of course. i guess email me off the list if you're interested. On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 12:30 PM, Boson Au <boson.au(a)gmail.com> wrote: > oh man a bike ride => bike movie night sounds awesome... I wanna run this > by some peeps here and make it happen. > > > On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 2:21 PM, <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> speaking of so bad they're good horror movies with bikes, "blood trails"<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805185/>is pretty awful. the description totally oversells it, but it's got a great >> scene with the villian killing someone by table topping his sprocket into >> someone's neck. you know, cos everyone rides a bike with razor sharp >> chainwheels. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 12:14 PM, troy neiman <troyneiman(a)myself.com>wrote: >> >>> We do a community bike ride and a bike-in movie every month at BICAS in >>> Tucson. We are always looking for fun movies with bike scenes and themes. >>> >>> You can check out this site for bike movies and other sites for reviews >>> http://www.massbike.org/info/movies.htm >>> >>> more obscure and I am guessing not on this list is a film called BLOOD >>> CAR. It came out about a year or two ago and is an excellent Horror film >>> spoof with some of the best bike scenes ever including a kindergarten >>> teacher splattered in blood and bicycling with hatchet in hand chasing a car >>> full of government spies. You probably will not find it at blockbuster but >>> worth tracking it down. >>> >>> Troy @ BICAS >>> > ----- Original Message ----- >>> > From: Davis_S <steve.davis(a)ncsd.k12.ca.us> >>> > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> >>> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] favorite bike movie >>> > Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:36:44 -0700 >>> > >>> > >>> > I am surprised no one has mentioned the movie Breaking Away-great >>> > movie about adolescence and the power of bikes. >>> > Steve Davis >>> > Seven Hills School >>> > 700 Hoover Lane >>> > Nevada City, CA 95959 >>> > steve.davis(a)ncsd.k12.ca.us >>> > 530-265-1840 ext. 8143 >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > On Sep 30, 2008, at 8:59 AM, Kim Jensen wrote: >>> > >>> > > 1. E.T. all throughout. >>> > > 2. Intro scene to Donny Darko >>> > > 3. Bike parts in Goonies. >>> > > 4. BMX bandits - if you're like what is that... you must see right >>> > > away- Nicole Kidman is rocking BMX and flatlander stunts and more, >>> > > she's like 13 years old >>> > > 5. Some dutch film, forgot the name- but the main girl was >>> promiscuous >>> > > and had a lil gold windmill attached to her handlebars.... and the >>> > > bike bloomers! >>> > > 6. I second 2 seconds. >>> > > >>> > > This was a fun break from the norm, great to see people excited in >>> > > response. To all you riding from Bike Bike to S.C. ride on, be safe, >>> > > wish I was there!! >>> > > >>> > > XX >>> > > Kimchi >>> > > Bicycle Kitchen - LA baby! >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > On Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 2:40 PM, Ann Altstatt < >>> annaltstatt(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> > >> hey everybody, what's your favorite bicycle related movie? >>> > >> >>> > >> _______________________________________________ >>> > >> Thethinktank mailing list >>> > >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >>> > >> >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >>> > >> >>> > >> >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > -- Kim Jensen >>> > > >>> > > Studio >>> > > la (213) 482 76 62 >>> > > www.fleurstudio.com >>> > > _______________________________________________ >>> > > Thethinktank mailing list >>> > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >>> > > >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >>> > >>> > _______________________________________________ >>> > Thethinktank mailing list >>> > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >>> > >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >>> >>> > >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Be Yourself @ mail.com! >>> Choose From 200+ Email Addresses >>> Get a Free Account at www.mail.com >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Thethinktank mailing list >>> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >>> >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >

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Thanks
by burdenistic＠gmail.com 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Bike Kitchen and Bike Church and all involved, Thank you for all of your hard work. I am inspired by your efforts and feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in Bike!Bike! I met a ton of great people with clear minds energetically involved in creating a better world through cycling and service. As a new person to decentralized cycling collectives and community cycling initiatives I have come away filled with ideas and energy. I laud all of your hard work and long hours creating a very successful conference and I hope to return next year with experiences to share with all of my own success from following the example you all have set! Thank-you, Gary Burden Participant

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Thank You Bike Kitchen and Church
by Rich Points 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Bike Bike Hosts, I just wanted to thank everyone who helped make bike bike happen this year. Your efforts are appreciated. It's invaluable to be able to meet and talk shop with other coops/collectives/non-profits. Looking forward to next year in Minneapolis! Peace -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

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favorite bike movie
by Ann Altstatt 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

hey everybody, what's your favorite bicycle related movie?

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speaking of bikebike southeast!
by rachael spiewak 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

GET EXCITED! *Go here for more info:* southeast.bikebike.org You can *sign up for the mailing list* there. Of course, EVERYONE is invited to participate. By design, we want to meet the needs of folks developing shops in the South, but don't let that stop you from being a part of the fun! * Just added to the workshop possibilities list: * - How to work with the media, facilitated by Jamie Gumbrecht, Atlanta-Journal Constitution Reporter and friend of Sopo - Assertiveness for community bike shop folks: How to advocate for your safe space, approach foundations, and otherwise say what you gotta say - Grantseeking at the Foundation Center (a free library of foundation/grant information...gonna see if they'll do something special for us). - Community bike shops in marginalized communities (hopefully one of our teens will give a talk about developing a shop in his refugee community). *What you can do to help: * - Find more people who need to get involved. Any rumblings about new shops around your neck of the woods? Sign those people up to come! Let's really reach out to anyone who wants to get in on the community bike shop game. - Holler at us off of this mailing list so we don't clutter it up. Let us know if you're game! - Make swag. We can email you the graphic if you'd like to screen some shirts or patches. - Suggest workshop topics and/or volunteer to facilitate!!! If you know lots, great! If you know not lots and you want to change that, even better! - If you are traveling by car or if you have hauling capabilities, consider bringing a loaner bike or two with you. We can't keep loaners in stock around here. - Likewise, if you would like to solicit food donations and you can haul it over here, that would be great. We're going to work with our local FnB chapter, but the food donation climate around here is a bit hostile and we don't want to take away from the good work they're struggling to do. - Throw yourself a fundraiser party to come up with whatever travel money you might need. Your pals, Sopo -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat & Sun 2 pm - 6 pm

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shop rules
by rachael spiewak 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Hi, everyone. Thanks for a fantastic weekend! I'm curious about whatever rules you may have posted at your shop. This might be a good wiki topic. I'd like to know if anyone's come up with clear, creative ways to state what kinds of behaviors are over the line. It would be nice to avoid having the word NO posted up and followed by a laundry list, but we need to make it plain as day that things like flirting or boozing in the shop are harmful to the shop atmosphere (for example). Thanks! Rachael -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat & Sun 2 pm - 6 pm

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