- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

growing a Community Bicycle and Transportation Center in Missoula
by Bob Giordano 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Below is an update on our progress building a Community Bicycle and Transportation Center in the heart of Missoula. We need help bringing this to fruition! Can you spread this effort to your networks? thanks... --- For Immediate Release: Free Cycles Missoula and Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation Gain Extension for Capital Campaign to July 1st "The Cycles of Change campaign has been sprouting wings with support from thousands of people," said Executive Director, Bob Giordano. "We have raised $125,000 from grassroots efforts, and now we need the help of many more people to secure our home," he goes on to say. While the long term goal is still to raise 1.1 million and buy the property outright, if the non-profit can raise $330,00, or 30%, by the July 1st deadline, then bank financing with a mortgage becomes a viable path to success. Free Cycles has recorded over 200,000 shop visits since 1996, helping 18,000 people earn a free bicycle and teaching 5,000 people laws, safety, and maintenance in the award-winning BikeWell class. Located in the heart of Missoula, the two acre property, which is equivalent to a full city block, is an ideal place to continue the work of Free Cycles and its umbrella organization, the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation. Both provide essential services to help people get to work, buy groceries, and go about their daily lives in a healthy way. "Once I'm riding the cycle, I'm saving money, saving energy, and saving time. Without a bicycle, it would be difficult to get around the city, for shopping, classes and errands" said Mamunur Rahman, a visiting Humprhey fellow from Bangladesh, who received a free bike from Free Cycles after taking a BikeWell class and volunteering four hours. The location is extremely accessible, being at the union of two primary trails. The plan is to preserve the existing buildings to honor Missoula’s heritage, and eventually transition to 100% renewable energy, thus creating a pathway to a liveable future. Further, the non-profit provides valuable community participation opportunities, from shop enhancements to helping people build bikes to effectively advocating for safe, enjoyable streets and trails. “One reason I love Free Cycles is because I know I can come in to get help, give help, get creative, or talk about ways to make safer streets,” says volunteer Cameron Best. "We have been honored to help Missoula become one of America's great bicycle cities, yet much work remains in order to make the transportation system better for all people," says Giordano. "Missoula has a strong, passionate support network of people and organizations that make it a unique and loveable place to live. Maintaining this property will help ensure the longevity of accessible, equitable, safe, and environmentally sound transportation systems for the Missoula community and beyond,” says Programs Director, Emily Jensen. Jensen elaborates: “Having a permanent hub to continue our work will increase capacity, strengthen our programs, and improve our efficacy. Under Free Cycles ownership, the land and buildings will be transitioned into replicable models of ways to address difficult societal challenges such as climate change, social justice, and urban growth. Our current transportation system tends to marginalize low-income people and create a culture of segregation. This project aims to reverse that dynamic and continue to build a more positive future. The local array of community services is gaining strength. The Poverello, PEAS Farm, Home Resource, MUD, and Food Bank have all recently secured a home. Free Cycles Missoula is a vital next success story." Property ownership would also help Free Cycles bring to fruition a fabrication center for helping those with mobility challenges and turning scrap metal into useful tools. The plan also includes a community bike share for short term bike lending and a transportation learning center with a focus on growing a healthy city. Over the years, the organization has taught over a hundred interns about transportation topics ranging from policy to how to adjust the spokes of a wheel. Another huge aspect of the non-profit's mission is educating, empowering, and engaging youth. For instance, on Monday, May 23rd, with the help of Bikers Against Bullies USA and the Dixon School District, Free Cycles worked with the entire school of 49 students. Thirty bikes were tuned by volunteers and staff, and during the event students were taught how to fix their own rides. By the end of the day, everyone's hands were dirty, laughter was in the air, Robert finally replaced his stem bolt, and the stoke on bikes was as high as the nearby Mission Mountains. Additionally, the Dixon School now has their very own space dedicated to fixing bikes outfitted with the proper tools. For the past 20 years, Free Cycles has facilitated over 160 school outreach events similar to this. “The demand from the citizens is here. We are bursting at the seams. It is critical we own the property to expand our space and programs. Land is the medium for service,” says Giordano. People can donate three ways: -Drop by the shop at 732 S. 1st St W. from 10AM-6PM, Tuesday to Saturday -Mail a check to 91 Campus Dr. #1412, Missoula, MT 59801 -Online at http://www.freecycles.org/ or https://www.crowdrise.com/supportthebike For more information, please visit www.freecycles.org or contact Executive Director, Bob Giordano, at mist(a)strans.org Programs Director, Emily Jensen, programs(a)strans.org 406-541-7284 ### Please forward this Release to all interested parties

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 116, Issue 10
by waymond smith 30 May '16

30 May '16

I feel that this is a very good idea, it could help people who want to make a presentation but are unsure why to start in creating a workshop. Go for it!!! On May 30, 2016 3:18 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!Bike! Workshop Description Writing Guide? (Godwin !) > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Godwin !" <goodgodwin(a)hotmail.com> > To: Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 15:23:27 -0700 > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike!Bike! Workshop Description Writing Guide? > I'm thinking about including a page that gives tips and maybe an outline > for attendees writing workshop proposals for this year's Bike!Bike!. Does > anyone feel that this might be a particularly bad idea? > > Otherwise, a discussion here on good and bad practices, examples of well > written workshop descriptions, or examples of things you have found > confusing about the process would be super useful but it would be great if > I could also find a volunteer to help write the doc. > > Cheers! > godwin > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >

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awesome ideas
by Angel York 26 May '16

26 May '16

Here are a couple small, light-hearted ideas I encountered recently. - There's this event called "breakfast on the bridges" and I was reading through their website yesterday and found this: Tardy slips are often available for those who are running late. They may not get you out of trouble, but they'll probably lighten the mood. At least you wont be trying to explain yourself on an empty stomach. - Then just now I saw a photo of someone who had made "bike fairy" lights that said something like "the bike fairy was here" and "may is bike month" and she left them on the bikes at an elementary school. What about y'all? I'm sure y'all have thought up/encountered so much sweetness. Angel

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Academic Papers About Bike Coops or Collectives?
by Josh Bisker 26 May '16

26 May '16

Anyone got good links to academic papers on bike coops or collectives, or studies or articles (academic or otherwise) about the impacts of a collective on a neighborhood?

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DCarea Intentional human power household
by scottwilson6100＠juno.com 21 May '16

21 May '16

I am investigating the idea of forming a household of bike and human powered vehicles and contraptions enthusiasts. Think of things like the UMD Gamera human powered helicopter, or the speedbikes(streamliners) similar to those that compete at the World Human Powered Speed Challenge each fall at Battle Mountain, NV. Or perhaps a human powered aircraft? You can look these things up on the web. If you've already heard of them, there is a good chance you are just the kind of person we are looking for. Hoping to hear from you . I have a large house that could serve as residence and build space. ____________________________________________________________ www.aglhealth.com 10 Shocking Ways Coconut Oil Will Change Your Life http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/573ff82ebdcb0782e6554st02duc

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New bike Kitchen
by dave ellis 20 May '16

20 May '16

Hello, I'm pleased to announce Queen City Wheel House, Helena, MT's new bike kitchen! We opened our doors last week in a larger warehouse maker space operation in Helena called the MOP (Means of Production) Shop. With the energy, broad skill set, and like-mindedness toward broadening our community, Montana Bicycle Guild brought us in under their 501(c)(3). We are small with limited hours but are excited to grow in volunteers, programming, partnerships, and space. Our initial offerings are open shop and earn-a-bike, with plans for teen and women's maintenance classes coming soon. We would love any great resources and stories from your startup experiences. Thanks for continuing to be an inspiring group of generous folks! Cheers! Dave

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We're hiring a Shop Manager at The Bike Kitchen (Vancouver, BC)!
by AMS Bike Co-op 19 May '16

19 May '16

Hey bike buddies, We're hiring a full-time shop manager at The Bike Kitchen in Vancouver, BC. Check out the job posting <http://www.bikecoop.ca/2016/05/were-hiring-a-shop-manager/> for more info. Lemme know if you have any questions or would like more info. Happy riding, aida -- *AMS Bike Co-op* University of British Columbia 6138 Student Union Blvd | Vancouver, BC | V6T 1Z1 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Storage
by jeffrey＠jeffreytong.com 13 May '16

13 May '16

Thanks for your detailed plans. ------ Original message------From: Gordon HamachiDate: Fri, May 13, 2016 13:32To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org;Cc: Subject:Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Storage I hang bicycles on hooks spaced 10 inches apart. The bikes have to be hung alternating between front tire up and front tire down for this to work. 15 meters is about 50 feet, so you should easily be able to hang 25 bikes in 50 feet. http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/15393

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Storage
by Gordon Hamachi 13 May '16

13 May '16

I hang bicycles on hooks spaced 10 inches apart. The bikes have to be hung alternating between front tire up and front tire down for this to work. 15 meters is about 50 feet, so you should easily be able to hang 25 bikes in 50 feet. http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/15393

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question for a report to funders, p.s.
by Dave Snyder 13 May '16

13 May '16

So to be more helpfully specific with my request… :-) If you have access to the following could you share it with me: - a budget for opening a shop - a budget for operating a shop (including hours of operation) - an annual report that shows how many bikes were donated, how many hours of job training were provided, how many youth (or adults) were reached, etc. That information would be super helpful. Thanks, Dave ------- Support CalBike now <https://calbike.org/support-calbike/>. ------- Dave Snyder Executive Director California Bicycle Coalition Enabling more people to bicycle for healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities for all. Join or renew <https://calbike.org/donate/> as a CalBike member. 916-251-9433 | dave(a)calbike.org <mailto:dave@calbike.org>

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