- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Collective VS. Simply giving away bikes
by Bonnie Anderson 03 Jul '18

03 Jul '18

Well said, Matt! We function much the same as you described, and the community has responded in the positive. Bonnie Bonnie Anderson Founding Director BF Community Bike Project 30 Henry St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101 (802) 310-8867 bfbike.org / visit us on facebook <https://www.facebook.com/BF-Community-Bike-Project-514155548620492/> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 9:25 PM, Matt VanSlyke <matt(a)uticabikerescue.org> wrote: > Hi Sylvie, > We are also in a situation where there is a local giveaway that we are > frequently confused with. They have been around for about 10 years and we > have been operating for 5. They have a bigger marketing budget and use it > to promote their 1-day, 1,000-bike hand out. We operate year round and > spend as much time as needed to help people get bikes. That means we > redistribute fewer bikes but we feel we deliver a better service. > > Although it's a tired cliche (which I acknowledge in conversation) people > who ask "do you give away bikes?" always understand when I say that we > follow more or less a "teach a person to fish" approach. They also > understand when I explain why we sell bikes in addition to offering > earn-a-bike. I tell them that we believe everyone should have some skin in > the game and therefore it would be incongruous to our mission if we asked > for handouts form organizations. We do enjoy and appreciate the financial > support we've received on a few occasions from grantmaking organizations > but we rely on revenue that we generate through hardwork, just like we ask > our customers to do. > > I've had this conversation enough times now that I have it polished pretty > well. I can't recall a single instance where someone has left the > conversation feeling as if we're doing it wrong, in fact it's usually an > eye-opening experience for them. My theory on why this is the case is > because I think many people out there are still unfamiliar with the social > enterprise concept and seem to still think that non-profit means "no > money". > > I applaud the passion and caring of the many bike giveaway programs out > there. I know several of them that do excellent refurbishing and provide > free bikes to people who truly need and appreciate them. My experience > locally has been different and that's why we stick to our guns. > > I hope this helps. I'm willing to chat more on the phone if you'd like. > Feel free to call me if you want. > > -Matt > > *Matt VanSlyke* > Executive Director > 315.525.9554 | matt(a)uticabikerescue.orgwww.UticaBikeRescue.org > <http://facebook.com/uticabikerescue> > <http://instagram.com/uticabikerescue> > > > > On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 2:04 PM, Paul Fitzgerald <paul(a)workingbikes.org> > wrote: > >> Sylvie and all, >> >> I don't believe I understand the nature of your meeting. Are you >> attempting to steer the "Second Change" mission or figuring out some type >> of strategic partnership with a different org? >> >> I would like to solicit more opinions or discussion on the 'earn-a-bike' >> model, though. I've worked for and with organizations which heavily used >> it, particularly in working with young people. I've been at Working Bikes >> for about 8 years now, and while we invite all community members to >> volunteer and earn timeshare 'credits' towards parts for their bike, we >> also give away more than 1,000 bikes a year locally through our Cycle of >> Power and Cycle of Peace programs. We've used these donations to make >> powerful partnerships with many different types of organizations, many of >> which do not use bicycles as a primary focus of their mission. Adult >> recipients are invited to volunteer or pay a 'co-pay' or $20 towards the >> bike, helmet and lock we provide, but most decline. >> >> At a certain point, it may be a question of volume, it feels >> paternalistic to me to tell someone they have to "earn" a resource an >> organization has the ability to redistribute. I take the question of >> service vs. charity seriously, but I also believe in the radical >> redistribution of resources. I don't think it is sustainable for everyone >> who would benefit from a service to have to learn how that service operates >> to receive it. There definitely are strong arguments for earn-a-bike, as >> well as super "CHARITY" <http://fb4k.org/> bike orgs starting up. >> >> I've been pondering this discussion as a possible B!B! workshop or >> roundtable of sorts. I hope you don't feel I've hijacked your thread with >> hypotheticals, Sylvie, and wish you luck with your meeting. >> >> peace n bike grease, >> Paul >> >> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 11:58 AM, Therese Kilpatrick < >> therese(a)projectbiketech.org> wrote: >> >>> Hi Sylvie, >>> I don't know your specific circumstances but perhaps your group can >>> coexist with this gentleman's targeting different recipients. If the >>> earn-a-bike model is what you want to invest in with your time and >>> resources and someone else is "giving away" bikes - how do they pay for the >>> parts/consumables necessary to restore bikes? Are they also working in a >>> non-profit or are they paying for everything themselves? Could they be >>> brought into your model if it were explained how there is more than a bike >>> that is being "given". I hope that he will be able to listen to why the >>> earn-a-bike model has much more social impact through teaching and the >>> recipients "owning" the bike through work and how it is a shared >>> experience. There is also the parable of giving fish versus teaching >>> someone how to fish... >>> Good luck and let me know how it went, >>> Therese Kilpatrick >>> Project Bike Tech Teacher - Aptos High School >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 8:13 AM, Sylvie Baele <sylvgrb(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Alright friends, I am reaching out for some resources.. I have a >>>> meeting soon with a guy who has an organization which gives away bikes. >>>> "Second Chance Bikes" >>>> >>>> Now, I don't disagree with giving people bikes... but I think the bike >>>> collective model (like earn-a-bike) is more empowering and sustainable >>>> long-term. And of course encourages safer riding, all while building >>>> community... >>>> >>>> Got any resources (or data) that can help support my/our position? I >>>> am a bit nervous as my meeting is with an older white male and I'm a >>>> younger female. He's already mansplained me once before. >>>> >>>> Bikes! >>>> >>>> >>>> Sylvie Baele >>>> >>>> *"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or unhappiness >>>> depends more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of >>>> those events themselves." - Alexander von Humbolt* >>>> >>>> ____________________________________ >>>> >>>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >>>> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> >>> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >>> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Paul Fitzgerald >> General Manager, Working Bikes >> Pronouns <https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/support/gender-pronouns/>: him, his, he >> 2434 S. Western, Chicago, IL 60608 >> 773-847-5440 >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> ------------------------------------------------- >> Store Hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri- 11am-7pm >> Sat - 10am-6pm >> Sun - 11am-4pm >> >> >> Volunteer Hours: Tues- 5-9pm >> Wed- 12-5pm >> Sat- 12-5pm >> >> WTF! Night is every Thursday 5-9pm. It is a volunteer mechanics night >> exclusively for Women and people who are Transgendered or Gender >> Non-Conforming. >> >> “El socialismo puede llegar solo en la bicicleta." >> >> "Socialism can only arrive by bicycle." >> >> -José Antonio Viera Gallo, Assistant Secretary of Justice in the >> government of Salvador Allende >> >> >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives.o >> rg/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org >> >> >> > > > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. > www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> > <#m_-2661727874550885743_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > > Unsubscribe from this list here: http://lists.bikecollectives. > org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org > > >

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(no subject)
by Angelo Coletta 21 Jun '18

21 Jun '18

http://refer.themillenniummile.com Angelo Coletta

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(no subject)
by Angelo Coletta 21 Jun '18

21 Jun '18

http://matter.ldesignchicago.com Angelo Coletta

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Memorial bicycles. The ghost bike
by Geoffrey Bercarich 18 Jun '18

18 Jun '18

Hello people of bike bike land. I ask all who proforma memorials for cyclists to contact me directly. I am wishing to create a coalition of people and organizations responsible for cycling memorials. Our work is important and is changing the way people see cycling in our communities. We need eachother to help better deliver our memorials. Please help me and get in touch with me. Geoffrey Bercarich Advocacy for respect for cyclists Toronto Canada.

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Wheel management
by Jack Murphy 13 Jun '18

13 Jun '18

We have a lot of wheels on hand, some ready to go, others needing bearings or truing, and still others piled up. We hang some from ceiling using hooks, and have tried a rack to hold them. The problem comes when people just set wheels on the floor in front of the rack, or pile them in. We need to find an efficient way to store them. I'm leaning towards more hooks, but wonder what others do to manage wheel inventory. -- Jack Murphy Jack(a)BikeWalkWichita.org *Bike Walk Wichita’s Mission is to transform Wichita into a more livable, accessible, * *connected city **by making biking and walking safe, equitable, and appealing.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 141, Issue 4
by Lawrence Mohammed 12 Jun '18

12 Jun '18

We're in the UK, slightly different rules, but ensure any bikes sold have working bell, wheel reflectors (clear or orange), white front reflector and red rear reflector. No need for this but it's what you'd expect from a new bike and we do it for best practise. During popups where we check peoples bikes, we not whether they have these too...pointing out why they're added to new bikes, though not demanding they go get them fitted (by us or anyone else) if absent. Warmest regards, *Lawrence Mohammed* Director & Head Mechanic Pro Bike Service C.I.C. *+44 (0)77 222 58587* *probikeservice.co.uk <https://probikeservice.co.uk>* *facebook.com/probikeservice <https://www.facebook.com/professionalbikeservice>* /[Location, NOT delivery address] Pro Bike Service C.I.C. Multi-Storey Car Park Lesney Avenue Olympic Park London E20 3BS / On 12/06/18 21:04, 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. policy for reflectors? (Ann Haebig) > 2. Re: policy for reflectors? (David Oliver) > 3. Re: policy for reflectors? (Edward Stewart) > 4. Wheel management (Jack Murphy) > 5. Re: policy for reflectors? (Jim Sheehan) > 6. Re: policy for reflectors? (David Oliver) > 7. Re: Wheel management (Eric Brozell) > 8. Re: Wheel management (Jack Murphy) > 9. Re: policy for reflectors? (Todd Spinner) > 10. Re: policy for reflectors? (Shannon Southwood) > 11. Re: Wheel management (General Manager) > 12. Re: policy for reflectors? (Daniel Silverman) > > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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policy for reflectors?
by Ann Haebig 12 Jun '18

12 Jun '18

Hi all, I'm new to the Think Tank, though I've been around bike coops and advocacy for years. I searched the archives but didn't find anything relevant to my question... Do any of you have a policy about whether and which reflectors (or lights) must be installed on a bike that leaves your shop? Has your coop had a discussion about it? I'd like to hear from those groups who've considered the question, to provide input for our own discussion on it. Thanks in advance! -Ann

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 141, Issue 2
by Tegan Moss 06 Jun '18

06 Jun '18

The bikecollectives.org wiki has detailed info about running a successful bike drive be sure to read over it if you are planning one! On Tue, Jun 5, 2018, 4:04 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. Bike Drive! (Joe Spelde) > 2. Re: Bike Drive! (Ulick O'Beirne) > 3. Re: Bike Drive! (Karen Overton) > 4. Re: Bike Drive! (Eric Brozell) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Joe Spelde <jspelde(a)bgch.org> > To: "thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" < > thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2018 02:15:37 +0000 > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Drive! > > Hey all, > > I'm launching an earn-a-bike program at the Boys and Girls Club > of Holland, and we are looking to host a bike drive to help us get enough > bikes for the kids. I just wanted to reach out and ask if anyone has any > advice or knowledge on running a successful bike drive. > > Also, i'd appreciate any other insight regarding earn-a-bike > programs..I've mostly looked at "Tools for Life" as a guide thus far. > > Thanks! > > > Joe Spelde > > Teen Program Assistant > > Boys and Girls Club of Holland > > e-mail: jspelde(a)bgch.org > > phone: (616) 392-4102 x 119 > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Ulick O'Beirne" <ulickobeirne(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2018 12:25:41 +0100 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Drive! > That's great. we're in a similar position. I found getting a piece in the > local paper really worked (we got 40 bikes very quickly); also connecting > to local cycling clubs who may have old bikes (these guys usually know the > difference between rubbish and useful too). Faacebook and small videos are > good. As are public wish lists in community spaces. > > In the past I've found the worst thing to be poor quality bikes getting > dropped off (even ones that are only fit for recycling), which are often of > very little value, and take more time to process. I saw one community bike > shop asks for a €10/$10 donation with each bike donated to help with its > being refurbished. This weeds out the dumpers and the money will come in > handy. And then I found that people with genuine good bikes who can't > afford the donation will come find you anyway. > > hope that's of some help. Ulick > > On 5 June 2018 at 03:15, Joe Spelde <jspelde(a)bgch.org> wrote: > >> Hey all, >> >> I'm launching an earn-a-bike program at the Boys and Girls Club >> of Holland, and we are looking to host a bike drive to help us get enough >> bikes for the kids. I just wanted to reach out and ask if anyone has any >> advice or knowledge on running a successful bike drive. >> >> Also, i'd appreciate any other insight regarding earn-a-bike >> programs..I've mostly looked at "Tools for Life" as a guide thus far. >> >> Thanks! >> >> >> Joe Spelde >> >> Teen Program Assistant >> >> Boys and Girls Club of Holland >> >> e-mail: jspelde(a)bgch.org >> >> phone: (616) 392-4102 x 119 >> >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… >> >> >> > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Karen Overton <director(a)recycleabicycle.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2018 07:50:42 -0400 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Drive! > Check with your local sanitation agency. They may have a listing of places > to donate items rather than throw them away. You may also want to connect > with a sympathetic business and ask them to do a collection. Outdoor > companies, tech companies are always eager to help in NYC. Otherwise, it > just might be someone from a cycling club that champions a collection in > their company. > > Karen > > On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 7:25 AM, Ulick O'Beirne <ulickobeirne(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> That's great. we're in a similar position. I found getting a piece in the >> local paper really worked (we got 40 bikes very quickly); also connecting >> to local cycling clubs who may have old bikes (these guys usually know the >> difference between rubbish and useful too). Faacebook and small videos are >> good. As are public wish lists in community spaces. >> >> In the past I've found the worst thing to be poor quality bikes getting >> dropped off (even ones that are only fit for recycling), which are often of >> very little value, and take more time to process. I saw one community bike >> shop asks for a €10/$10 donation with each bike donated to help with its >> being refurbished. This weeds out the dumpers and the money will come in >> handy. And then I found that people with genuine good bikes who can't >> afford the donation will come find you anyway. >> >> hope that's of some help. Ulick >> >> On 5 June 2018 at 03:15, Joe Spelde <jspelde(a)bgch.org> wrote: >> >>> Hey all, >>> >>> I'm launching an earn-a-bike program at the Boys and Girls Club >>> of Holland, and we are looking to host a bike drive to help us get enough >>> bikes for the kids. I just wanted to reach out and ask if anyone has any >>> advice or knowledge on running a successful bike drive. >>> >>> Also, i'd appreciate any other insight regarding earn-a-bike >>> programs..I've mostly looked at "Tools for Life" as a guide thus far. >>> >>> Thanks! >>> >>> >>> Joe Spelde >>> >>> Teen Program Assistant >>> >>> Boys and Girls Club of Holland >>> >>> e-mail: jspelde(a)bgch.org >>> >>> phone: (616) 392-4102 x 119 >>> >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> >>> Unsubscribe from this list here: >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… >>> >>> >>> >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… >> >> >> > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Eric Brozell <eric(a)bikeerie.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2018 14:12:07 -0400 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Drive! > Joe, > > One other place that we get donor bikes from is the local police > departments. They are more than happy to help us out and usually deliver > them to our shop. There can be a lot of junk bikes in there too. The junk > bikes we part out and discard to a pile to be recycled. We also have some > artists that request bike parts for upcycle projects. > > Eventually, the word gets out about your program and people are pretty > happy to see their cast off bikes going to a good cause. So, social media > can help your efforts too. > > Eric Brozell > Bike Erie > Pedal Mettle Erie > > > On Jun 5, 2018, at 7:50 AM, Karen Overton <director(a)recycleabicycle.org> > wrote: > > Check with your local sanitation agency. They may have a listing of places > to donate items rather than throw them away. You may also want to connect > with a sympathetic business and ask them to do a collection. Outdoor > companies, tech companies are always eager to help in NYC. Otherwise, it > just might be someone from a cycling club that champions a collection in > their company. > > Karen > > On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 7:25 AM, Ulick O'Beirne <ulickobeirne(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> That's great. we're in a similar position. I found getting a piece in the >> local paper really worked (we got 40 bikes very quickly); also connecting >> to local cycling clubs who may have old bikes (these guys usually know the >> difference between rubbish and useful too). Faacebook and small videos are >> good. As are public wish lists in community spaces. >> >> In the past I've found the worst thing to be poor quality bikes getting >> dropped off (even ones that are only fit for recycling), which are often of >> very little value, and take more time to process. I saw one community bike >> shop asks for a €10/$10 donation with each bike donated to help with its >> being refurbished. This weeds out the dumpers and the money will come in >> handy. And then I found that people with genuine good bikes who can't >> afford the donation will come find you anyway. >> >> hope that's of some help. Ulick >> >> On 5 June 2018 at 03:15, Joe Spelde <jspelde(a)bgch.org> wrote: >> >>> Hey all, >>> >>> I'm launching an earn-a-bike program at the Boys and Girls Club >>> of Holland, and we are looking to host a bike drive to help us get enough >>> bikes for the kids. I just wanted to reach out and ask if anyone has any >>> advice or knowledge on running a successful bike drive. >>> >>> Also, i'd appreciate any other insight regarding earn-a-bike >>> programs..I've mostly looked at "Tools for Life" as a guide thus far. >>> >>> Thanks! >>> >>> >>> >>> Joe Spelde >>> Teen Program Assistant >>> Boys and Girls Club of Holland >>> e-mail: jspelde(a)bgch.org >>> phone: (616) 392-4102 x 119 >>> >>> >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> >>> Unsubscribe from this list here: >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… >>> >>> >>> >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… >> >> >> > ____________________________________ > > 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.… >

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Bike Drive!
by Joe Spelde 05 Jun '18

05 Jun '18

Hey all, I'm launching an earn-a-bike program at the Boys and Girls Club of Holland, and we are looking to host a bike drive to help us get enough bikes for the kids. I just wanted to reach out and ask if anyone has any advice or knowledge on running a successful bike drive. Also, i'd appreciate any other insight regarding earn-a-bike programs..I've mostly looked at "Tools for Life" as a guide thus far. Thanks! Joe Spelde Teen Program Assistant Boys and Girls Club of Holland e-mail: jspelde(a)bgch.org<mailto:jspelde@bgch.org> phone: (616) 392-4102 x 119

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Bike!Bike! organizers on the radio? Sign up!
by Sunny Nestler 01 Jun '18

01 Jun '18

Hey everyone! I'm working on the AMS Bike Co-op's 2nd episode of Tire Pop! <http://www.citr.ca/radio/tire-pop/>, the radio show where we talk bikes and spin cassettes. But tbr the cassettes we spin have mostly all been converted to digital for better or worse 😵 Is anyone available next week to chat on the phone about being a Bike!Bike! organizer of the past? I would also love to chat with an organizer for this year's conference in LA if anyone is down! Lemme know and I'll email you privately to set something up. You can also email me privately if you prefer - programs(a)bikecoop.ca. Ideally we can talk next Weds 2-4 or Fri 1-3 PST. I will send questions ahead of time :) We haven't set up an archive yet but I will send another email as soon as we do so you can listen to the first episode if you missed it! x sunny *Sunny Nestler*, *Programs Manager* AMS Bike Co-op University of British Columbia 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

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