- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Fwd: NY Cycling Census Update & Continuing Outreach
by Matt VanSlyke 21 Mar '22

21 Mar '22

Hello fellow awesome people! We here in NY are still going strong getting feedback from bike riders of all kinds, looks like until 4/22. The people running this effort are very interested in hearing from us. If you have a stake in bicycling in New York State and want to weigh in, you can go to https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi and have your voice be heard, Thanks in advance! Matt, Utica Bike Rescue ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Paul Winkeller <paul(a)urbancyclingsolutions.com> Date: Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 1:33 PM Subject: NY Cycling Census Update & Continuing Outreach To: breathingplanet <breathingplanet(a)gmail.com> Cc: Matt VanSlyke <matt(a)uticabikerescue.org> Hey, Andrew (and Matt). In just over a month, and thanks to your help, the New York Cycling Census has garnered more than 10,000 responses across every county in the state! The huge response to the survey <https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi> has far exceeded our expectations and is a clear indication of the profound interest in bicycle mobility in communities of all scales across New York. - Two thirds of respondents rode a bike for mental health and wellness! - Nearly a third of respondents reported they use a bicycle for tourism purposes. In addition, most respondents indicated they would be Very Likely to use bikes for tourism purposes. - Lack of bike lanes or safe routes is the biggest barrier to biking for New Yorkers, followed closely by insufficient secure bike parking. - In terms of education, respondents indicate that basic bike maintenance is the most sought after training for New Yorkers. All of the data collected through the NY Cycling Census will be made freely available to any agency, organization or other entity that can use it to help drive public policy around bicycle education, infrastructure, enforcement, tourism, integration with public transit and general encouragement. See attached boilerplate language, and NY Bike Census JPG, for your use in outreach. Thank you for your continued help and support - and please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions or comments! PSW Paul Winkeller, Senior Associate Urban Cycling Solutions 518.330-6301 - cell and text www.urbancyclingsolutions.com <https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=118a3b5e-4d0b093d-1188c26b-000babd906…> -- *Matt VanSlyke* Executive Director 315.525.9554 | matt(a)uticabikerescue.org www.UticaBikeRescue.org

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Save B!B!E!2022! / Salven a B!B!E!2022
by Bike!Bike! Everywhere! 26 Feb '22

26 Feb '22

*Español abajo* *Bike!Bike! Everywhere! Needs YOUR help for 2022* Yup! You! YOU (and/or your shop) could be the person helping to run the event in 2022. Last year's esteemed organizing masterminds will be living their best bike lives touring the continent during time leading up to the November time slot in which BBE would happen. This is where you come in! Now that it’s a second rendition of the event, all the “How do I do this?” and “What should we use for that?” questions have been answered, and you can slide smoothly into a *coordination role *and help it all happen! (I mean, if you want to change things up, be empowered! We’re just trying to make it sound as *easy* as it is) So what now? *Reply to bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com <bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com>* and say, “I’ll do it! I’ll make it happen!” or maybe just “I’ll help organize with y’all!” Or! Do it as a bike shop or a group!! Fun for the whole family! No tech experience necessary! This is what's needed: - Care about diversity, language justice, and welcoming spaces - Write and send announcements and reminders - Write lists in a shared doc - Schedule and attend meetings - Keep track of what needs to happen and connect tasks with people - Maybe even update a wiki! *But act fast! If we don’t have a steering person or persons by March 3, we’re going to have to postpone or cancel the event!* Thanks, Bike!Bike! Everywhere! Organizing team [image: image.png] *Bike!Bike! En todas partes! Necesita de TU ayuda para el 2022* ¡Sí!¡Tú! TÚ (y/o tu taller) pueden ser quienes ayuden a llevar el evento en 2022. Nuestras estimadas mentes maestras en la organización estarán viviendo sus mejores vidas en bici, viajando a lo largo del continente durante los meses previos a noviembre, mes en el que ocurriría el BBE. ¡Aquí es donde entras tú! Ahora que va a ser la segunda edición del evento, todas las preguntas de “¿cómo hago esto?” y “¿qué usamos para aquello?” han sido resueltas ¡Puedes fácilmente deslizarte a un *puesto de coordinación *y ayudar a que todo suceda! (O sea, si quieres cambiar las cosas ¡adelante! Solo queremos decir que está bien *fácil*) ¿Y ahora qué? *Manda un correo a bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com <bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com>* y di “¡Yo me la rifo! ¡Haré que suceda!” o tal vez solo “¡Yo les ayudo con la organización!” O háganlo en equipo, o como taller de bicis ¡Diversión para toda la familia! ¡No se necesita experiencia tecnológica! Lo que sí se necesita es: - Cuidado con respecto a la diversidad, la justicia del lenguaje y los espacios incluyentes - Escribir y enviar anuncios y recordatorios - Escribir listas en un documento compartido - Agendar y asistir a reuniones - Llevar registro de qué tiene que hacerse y enlazar tareas con personas - ¡Tal vez hasta actualizar una wiki! *¡Pero actúa rápido! ¡Si no tenemos suficientes personas al volante para el 3 de marzo, tendremos que posponer o cancelar el evento!* Gracias, El equipo de urbanización de Bike!Bike! ¡En todas partes!

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New York State bike survey - let’s get some convo on equity going!
by Matt VanSlyke 16 Feb '22

16 Feb '22

Hi Folks, Please see below for important info on an effort going on here in NY. Apologies for the forward, but this is the best way to get the right information out there. The guy leading this effort is a long-time supporter of community bike shops and a lifelong bike advocate. So let’s see if we can help get some diverse voices to answer their survey. Best, Matt V Utica Bike Rescue I am writing to ask that you please share the FIRST EVER comprehensive "New York State Bicycling Census" - funded by NYSERDA - with your agency's extensive network of contacts across upstate*.* (*The survey, linked here <https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi>, will be open for several months.*) The purpose of this survey is to help determine who is biking across New York, why they are riding a bike (e.g., health and wellness, daily transportation, reduce an individual's carbon footprint), in what context (urban, ex-urban, rural, on and off road - from small towns to large cities!) and whether or not connecting to mass transit is part of an individual's bike equation. *All participants will be entered to win one of three $150 Planet bike gift cards being offered - and no email addresses or other personal information will be shared or saved. * With a robust dataset, and we have already received 1500 responses in a week since soft launching this effort, we can help decision makers, elected officials and an engaged public to implement policies and programs to accelerate more and safer cycling policies and funding. *HOWEVER*, *there is a strong equity component to this survey effort that I believe your organization can help us address*. We know there are huge numbers of low income folks and people of color who ride bikes, particularly for transportation, and the dataset we collect simply must reflect the reality that we live in a very diverse state. Frankly, if this is a survey of old white guys who wear spandex this effort will not be a success. So, again, please share this survey link <https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaOKnyxZSgkskmi> with your network, across all platforms and as soon as possible. Happy to get on a call or a Zoom to discuss. Best wishes and thank you again! Paul Winkeller, Senior Associate Urban Cycling Solutions 518.330-6301 - cell and text www.urbancyclingsolutions.com <https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=118a3b5e-4d0b093d-1188c26b-000babd906…> -- -- Matt VanSlyke 315.525.9554 (voice or txt)

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The Bike Works in Silver City, New Mexico is looking for help!
by dave baker 15 Feb '22

15 Feb '22

Hello Group, The Bike Works in Silver City, NM is reaching out to the network of amazing folks out there to broadcast that we are looking for additional staff in our shop. We operate a unique shop that is part 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit and part full-service retail shop. We have recently moved to a new shop space right in the heart of Historic Downtown Silver City right across from the local Food Co-op. Silver City, New Mexico is a community of 10,000 situated on the Continental Divide in SW New Mexico. Our town sits at 6000’ and is tucked at the southern edge of the 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest and 500k acre Gila Wilderness with hot springs, sub-alpine forests and vast desert within close reach. We are at the crossroads of Adventure Cycling’s Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and the Southern Tier. We also host the 5 day Tour of the Gila stage road race. If any mechanics out there are interested in relocating to a smaller community with a dynamic cycling scene and to find out more about the Bike Works’ programs, reach out to Dave at bikebaker(a)yahoo.com. Happy Pedaling, Dave Baker The Bike Works bikebaker(a)yahoo.com

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 184, Issue 2
by Dylan Horne 07 Feb '22

07 Feb '22

Here are the reference sheets we provide for Earn A BIke folks. -Dylan On Wed, Feb 2, 2022 at 4:03 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. Earn A Bike Programs (Dylan Horne) > 2. Re: Earn A Bike Programs (cyclista(a)inventati.org) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Dylan Horne <dylanrosshorne(a)gmail.com> > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2022 06:13:47 -0500 > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Earn A Bike Programs > Hi Y'all, > > At The Pedal Factory in Salisbury, NC, we developed a worksheet for > Earn-A-Bike folks to work through (attached). The worksheet guides them > through our shop mission, basic bike maintenance skills, how to select a > bike, learning the parts of the bike and common tools, as well as safe > riding techniques. They also complete 3 volunteer tasks around the shop, as > their sweat equity contribution. Depending on the need for that day, it > could be cleaning up, sorting parts, unloading the trailer, moving bikes, > or whatever special task might need to be done. They also breakdown one > bike, usually a junker, to get salvageable parts for our used parts > inventory, and to introduce them to turning wrenches. It's much easier to > have people take bikes apart than to try and teach each of them the ins and > outs of fixing up whole bikes. > > We have volunteers prepare bikes that are potential earn-a-bikes, usually > department store bikes that we value around $100. More expensive bikes can > be earned, but the participant must volunteer additional hours/tasks to > make up the difference, or pay the difference. The volunteers get the bikes > to 90-95% ready to go, so that we can check over the bike with the > Earn-A-Bike participant and fix a thing or two and get them on their way. > Once the worksheet is completed, the participant earns their chosen bike, a > helmet, lights and a lock. We take each person on a safety ride to insure > safe riding techniques and to answer additional questions. > > Folks must sign up for Earn-A-Bikes and we have two slots each open shop > day for Earn-A-Bikes. About 60% of people actually come back for their > allotted time. Having folks sign up helps us to manage our time, as well as > reducing the amount of folks that just want to walk in and get a free bike. > We tell folks that it takes 6-8 hours to complete (2 shop days), but some > folks are really proficient and can finish it in 4 hours or so. > > Before this, we had a set amount of volunteer hours that must be > completed to earn a bike. We decided to switch to the worksheet to keep > folks focused on what they needed to accomplish, increasing most folks' > ability to work independently. We also created some reference materials > that contain the answers to the worksheets, so folks have a nice laminated > guide to go by. When we had an hour based system, a lot of staff and > volunteer time was spent trying to get people focused on productive things > instead of just waiting to get the hours. > > We have a similar program for youth, with a similar worksheet that they > work through. We don't require youth to complete volunteer tasks or > breakdown bikes, but some participate in these ways voluntarily. > > In 2021, 88 people completed earn-a-bikes. The worksheet system was really > helpful in delivering uniform requirements and expectations for all > participants. It also provides a great way for us to track the demographics > and how many people utilize this service. > > Thanks, > Dylan > > -- > Dylan Horne, Ph.D. > They / Them > freewheelingdylan.wordpress.com > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: cyclista(a)inventati.org > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:26:58 +0000 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Earn A Bike Programs > Dylan, I love the idea of a worksheet to keep participants focused and a > workbook to reference for basic things; having basic reference > materials, for instance hanging at each workstand, could also de-center > the instructor in potentially useful ways. > > Are the reference materials handy to upload as well? That would be > interesting to see. > > ~cyclista Nicholas > > On 2022-02-02 11:13, Dylan Horne wrote: > > Hi Y'all, > > > > At The Pedal Factory in Salisbury, NC, we developed a worksheet for > > Earn-A-Bike folks to work through (attached). The worksheet guides them > > through our shop mission, basic bike maintenance skills, how to select > > a > > bike, learning the parts of the bike and common tools, as well as safe > > riding techniques. They also complete 3 volunteer tasks around the > > shop, as > > their sweat equity contribution. Depending on the need for that day, it > > could be cleaning up, sorting parts, unloading the trailer, moving > > bikes, > > or whatever special task might need to be done. They also breakdown one > > bike, usually a junker, to get salvageable parts for our used parts > > inventory, and to introduce them to turning wrenches. It's much easier > > to > > have people take bikes apart than to try and teach each of them the ins > > and > > outs of fixing up whole bikes. > > > > We have volunteers prepare bikes that are potential earn-a-bikes, > > usually > > department store bikes that we value around $100. More expensive bikes > > can > > be earned, but the participant must volunteer additional hours/tasks to > > make up the difference, or pay the difference. The volunteers get the > > bikes > > to 90-95% ready to go, so that we can check over the bike with the > > Earn-A-Bike participant and fix a thing or two and get them on their > > way. > > Once the worksheet is completed, the participant earns their chosen > > bike, a > > helmet, lights and a lock. We take each person on a safety ride to > > insure > > safe riding techniques and to answer additional questions. > > > > Folks must sign up for Earn-A-Bikes and we have two slots each open > > shop > > day for Earn-A-Bikes. About 60% of people actually come back for their > > allotted time. Having folks sign up helps us to manage our time, as > > well as > > reducing the amount of folks that just want to walk in and get a free > > bike. > > We tell folks that it takes 6-8 hours to complete (2 shop days), but > > some > > folks are really proficient and can finish it in 4 hours or so. > > > > Before this, we had a set amount of volunteer hours that must be > > completed to earn a bike. We decided to switch to the worksheet to keep > > folks focused on what they needed to accomplish, increasing most folks' > > ability to work independently. We also created some reference materials > > that contain the answers to the worksheets, so folks have a nice > > laminated > > guide to go by. When we had an hour based system, a lot of staff and > > volunteer time was spent trying to get people focused on productive > > things > > instead of just waiting to get the hours. > > > > We have a similar program for youth, with a similar worksheet that they > > work through. We don't require youth to complete volunteer tasks or > > breakdown bikes, but some participate in these ways voluntarily. > > > > In 2021, 88 people completed earn-a-bikes. The worksheet system was > > really > > helpful in delivering uniform requirements and expectations for all > > participants. It also provides a great way for us to track the > > demographics > > and how many people utilize this service. > > > > Thanks, > > Dylan > > > > ____________________________________ > > > > 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.… > -- Dylan Horne, Ph.D. They / Them freewheelingdylan.wordpress.com

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National Safety Policy
by eric＠bikeerie.org 03 Feb '22

03 Feb '22

Hello Fellow Tankers, On the League of American Bicyclists <https://bikeleague.org/content/top-12-actions-national-roadway-safety-strat…> website there is a posting on a future policy on the National Safety Policy. When the new president started talking about Build Back Better my thoughts went to bike lanes, education, safety infrastructure, etc. Not too sure if or when any of that will occur. The important event that I wanted to get out to everyone is the League is providing a webinar on the details on implementation. I couldn’t find anything for a link to it except on Instagram as shown below: Thank you to all the keep this forum going. Eric Brozell BikeErie.org BOD

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Earn A Bike Programs
by Dylan Horne 02 Feb '22

02 Feb '22

Hi Y'all, At The Pedal Factory in Salisbury, NC, we developed a worksheet for Earn-A-Bike folks to work through (attached). The worksheet guides them through our shop mission, basic bike maintenance skills, how to select a bike, learning the parts of the bike and common tools, as well as safe riding techniques. They also complete 3 volunteer tasks around the shop, as their sweat equity contribution. Depending on the need for that day, it could be cleaning up, sorting parts, unloading the trailer, moving bikes, or whatever special task might need to be done. They also breakdown one bike, usually a junker, to get salvageable parts for our used parts inventory, and to introduce them to turning wrenches. It's much easier to have people take bikes apart than to try and teach each of them the ins and outs of fixing up whole bikes. We have volunteers prepare bikes that are potential earn-a-bikes, usually department store bikes that we value around $100. More expensive bikes can be earned, but the participant must volunteer additional hours/tasks to make up the difference, or pay the difference. The volunteers get the bikes to 90-95% ready to go, so that we can check over the bike with the Earn-A-Bike participant and fix a thing or two and get them on their way. Once the worksheet is completed, the participant earns their chosen bike, a helmet, lights and a lock. We take each person on a safety ride to insure safe riding techniques and to answer additional questions. Folks must sign up for Earn-A-Bikes and we have two slots each open shop day for Earn-A-Bikes. About 60% of people actually come back for their allotted time. Having folks sign up helps us to manage our time, as well as reducing the amount of folks that just want to walk in and get a free bike. We tell folks that it takes 6-8 hours to complete (2 shop days), but some folks are really proficient and can finish it in 4 hours or so. Before this, we had a set amount of volunteer hours that must be completed to earn a bike. We decided to switch to the worksheet to keep folks focused on what they needed to accomplish, increasing most folks' ability to work independently. We also created some reference materials that contain the answers to the worksheets, so folks have a nice laminated guide to go by. When we had an hour based system, a lot of staff and volunteer time was spent trying to get people focused on productive things instead of just waiting to get the hours. We have a similar program for youth, with a similar worksheet that they work through. We don't require youth to complete volunteer tasks or breakdown bikes, but some participate in these ways voluntarily. In 2021, 88 people completed earn-a-bikes. The worksheet system was really helpful in delivering uniform requirements and expectations for all participants. It also provides a great way for us to track the demographics and how many people utilize this service. Thanks, Dylan -- Dylan Horne, Ph.D. They / Them freewheelingdylan.wordpress.com

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Volunteer Management Technology
by Bayley VanderCrowd 31 Jan '22

31 Jan '22

Hi Thinktank! I’d like to share how we track our volunteers and see how others track them. We’re looking for something more integrated. Are there any commercial off the shelf software you use? Maybe we’re missing something easier and better. With that said, Vélocity Bicycle Coop in Alexandria Virginia does the following: -We use a Google form for volunteer shifts. -We use a Slack channel to communicate to the others when we’ll be volunteering -We use Meetup.com for volunteer nights. (If anyone is interested in setting up a meetup group for free, we have a free group to giveaway. Just LMK!) -We use a Google form to track what hours volunteers have performed. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thank you everyone! Bayley Vanderpoel Board Member Velocity Bicycle Coop Alexandria, VA -- Bayley Vanderpoel VéloCity Bicycle Cooperative Bayley.Vanderpoel(a)velocitycoop.org 703-863-4464

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Hiring: Bike Church in Santa Cruz, CA
by Bike Church Santa Cruz 26 Jan '22

26 Jan '22

Hi all, We are hiring! Our shop is run collectively, everyone is paid the same, which is $15 an hour, and this is only a part time opportunity, about 6-20 hours per week. Just thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone is in town and looking for a part-time labor of love. :) See full description here: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/npo/d/santa-cruz-community-bicycle-shop-hi… If interested please apply by February 1. Thanks! Nik

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Job Opening: Community Programs Manager at Working Bikes in Chicago
by Anna Henschel 25 Jan '22

25 Jan '22

Hi Everyone, After 3 wonderful years at Working Bikes I'll be leaving my post as Community Programs Manager at Working Bikes at the end of February and looking for something great to take over the position. The position involves working with and instructing a big group of incredibly dedicated and hardworking volunteers, managing the local donation program (last year we fixed up and donated 1348 bikes for Chicagoans!), helping to coordinate the shipment of bikes to international partners (over 6500 in 2021!), planning community events, and more. The CPM works with other staff to help support all aspects of the organization and is a very well supported position. There's always something new going on, so there's never a dull day. The position is full time, Tuesday-Saturday, and comes with great benefits. Health insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick time! I wouldn't be leaving the job if I could find a way to take it with me on my cross country move, but alas, that's not an option. Take a look at job description linked below and feel free to reach out if you have any questions Community Programs Manager <https://workingbikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Community-Programs-Mana…> Anna -- *Anna Henschel, Community Programs Manager, Working Bikes* 2434 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 773-657-8419 Pronouns: She/Her/Hers anna(a)workingbikes.org

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