- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

You rock, thinktank
by Clifford McCarten 18 Dec '09

18 Dec '09

Happy holidays, thinktank. What I like about you: It's a real pleasure feeling connected to the world. The internet, for me, fails a lot in this regard. But the listserv action is so human and humane, so sincere and useful. It was a wonderful discovery about two years ago to come upon an active discussion of everything we were facing and more, like a light in the darkness! Merci, merci. I hope you all have an excellent new year, as people and organizations. Best, Clifford McCarten B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 400 Wolfe St, Peterborough ON http://www.communitybikeshop.org On 2009-12-18, at 4:07 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. Biketalk live on-air kpfk first time! (bike talk) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:32:03 -0800 > From: bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> > To: undisclosed-recipients:; > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Biketalk live on-air kpfk first time! > Message-ID: > <d0ea0faa0912181232m4a774e71m8713a38d8ad691fb(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > BikeTalk, our internet show about bike culture, politics, technology, sport, > and friendliness, airs live for the first time on FM on Tuesday, December > 29th, at 11pm on 90.7 kpfk Los Angeles. > > We'll try to include a calendar of upcoming events and all the bike news, so > if you have anything to share, please let us know. And if you listen, call > in! >

1 0

Biketalk live on-air kpfk first time!
by bike talk 18 Dec '09

18 Dec '09

BikeTalk, our internet show about bike culture, politics, technology, sport, and friendliness, airs live for the first time on FM on Tuesday, December 29th, at 11pm on 90.7 kpfk Los Angeles. We'll try to include a calendar of upcoming events and all the bike news, so if you have anything to share, please let us know. And if you listen, call in!

1 0

bikebikene on blog
by andrew lynn 16 Dec '09

16 Dec '09

hi all, i am a bikeblogger for the local paper here and upon realizing that it was my turn (!) this morning, i turned to blogging a bit about bikebike to the general public and here it is... http://blog.timesunion.com/bike/bike-bikes-all-around/693/ it is really not as thought out as my previous posts, which you can see here: http://blog.timesunion.com/bike/category/bloggers/andrew-lynn/ but i dropped some other shop links and thought the thinktank might enjoy. feel free to comment, as a lot of the blog has turned out to be about racing and stuff and pretty hyper local. good to get some outside voices if you desire. over and out andrew TBR -- andrew lynn | 518-573-7947 | troy, ny digital media | bike repair | tree work http://www.breathingplanet.net http://www.troybikerescue.org http://www.mediasanctuary.org http://flickr.com/photos/breathingplanet

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] 4 BikeBikes.
by mylifeinthenow＠gmail.com 14 Dec '09

14 Dec '09

Bike! Bike! NE is still going on in Apri as a warm up for May is Bike Month! -----Original Message----- Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009 7:56:48 pm To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> From: "N.O.Bike Project" <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 4 BikeBikes. My bad, there are 4. Hmmm. winter.snowy.rose(a)gmail.com wrote: > What about the eastern one about new York area in April or may? > Is that still on? > > Chloé > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > -----Original Message----- > From: "N.O.Bike Project" <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com> > Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:39:55 > To: The Think Tank<thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] 3 BikeBikes. > > Hey y'all. > > In response to the query about a running tally. There are 3 BikeBike!'s > that I know of. Louisville and Boulder in the spring (on the same > weekend-March20) and Toronto in the summer. > > Personally I think regional bikebikes are a great idea. My only concern > is that there may be a lower turnout at the big annual event. I guess > we'll see what happens. > > -Victor. > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThi

10 9

Re: [TheThinkTank] Getting Organized
by Ainsley Naylor 13 Dec '09

13 Dec '09

Re: compiling information to be passed on! We are very lucky to have a volunteer at Pirates who is taking an independent credit for her environmental studies degree which will allow her to get school credit for doing 6-8 hours of work for Bike!Bike! over the next few months. We are going to set her up compiling information, logging contact info and addresses for shops all over the world, as well helping to prepare welcome info packages. more excitingly, she will be doing a lot of research into the previous years' conferences, contacting organizers and finding out how they organized themselves, what their model, budget, schedule, food and funding looked like. We are hoping that this information can be compiled in a manner than will be EASILY accessible and transferable for following years' organizers. As we have said many times here, reinventing the wheel is totally unnecessary but we need a clear, consistent way of transferring information to confidently avoid it. We know that every city will have to do things in a unique way, but are really keen to put together a package that can guide folks through the process of planning, especially in terms of time-lines and person-power. We will be reaching out very soon via ThinkTank for contacts from previous years to pick their brains. Ainsley. On Sun, Dec 13, 2009 at 1:00 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. Re: 4 BikeBikes. (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > 2. getting organized, growing from one event to the next. > (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:52:21 -0700 > From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 4 BikeBikes. > Message-ID: > <53e5a1720912130952u3197d106x6e77de9a3cc5e449(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I am all about sharing the love, and hosting or cohosting a workshop about > putting on a regional bikebike, or even a workshop that has folks from > previous/current international bikebike hosts. > Something I heard kicked around last year was the idea of a binder or file > of resources, that gets passed on to the next host, so that they don't have > to re invent the wheel. I've got something sort of related to that > happening, but it's unrelated enough as to warrant its own thread. > > Thanks, everyone. I'm excited to hear about so many other gatherings that > are taking the name bikebike. I was worried that throwing another one out > there would dilute the energy, but it sounds like it's not even close to > that. > > Rachel mentioned last year that maybe the smaller gatherings should take a > new name? It may be less confusing with so many of them happening. What are > your thoughts on that? > > josh. > > > > > On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 10:56 PM, <brentmore1234(a)aol.com> wrote: > > > > > I would agree that having 80 or 90 (was it that many?) folks from all > over > > the southeast who are passionate about bicycles and bike collectives will > be > > a really good thing for Louisville. That's why I chimed in and said > > something about being against having the BigBike!Bike! in Minneapolis - > > there is already what, almost a 5% bike mode share going on there. Not to > > diss places that have some of the highest bike mode shares, they're > probably > > better places to organize a large conference out of, but there are places > > where biking is relatively in it's infancy (Louisville has less than a 1% > > mode share) and a truly grassroots thing like this could really spark > some > > conversation - if you have it in a place that is struggling. > > > > Just some thoughts. > > > > - Eli > > rachael spiewak wrote: > > > Same description goes for the previous Southeast version (ATL, > > 1/2009). > > It will only help. > > > > > > -rachael > > > > > > On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 8:53 PM, Carolyn Braunius <brauniusc(a)yahoo.com> > > <mailto:brauniusc@yahoo.com <brauniusc(a)yahoo.com?>>> wrote: > > > > > > Hi Victor and all. :) > > > > > > We love BikeBike and plan on coming to Toronto for BIKEBIKE this > > > year by bike and hopefully with reinforcements from the northeast. > > > > > > Our thoughts behind bikebike NE was we knew there were a lot of > > > small shops or shops that are trying to get off the ground who > > > would love to get some of that special bike bike feeling, but > > > couldn't make it to Minneapolis and might not be able to swing the > > > big trip to Toronto. > > > > They also might not know about the special magic of bikebike and > > > can come to a meeting and get a little dose of the magic, before > > > falling inlove with the international event. > > > > > > We also wanted to create a stage to address some of the specific > > > bike culture challenges we face in the north east. We love all of > > > those cities that have bike paths and bike racks, and let kids > > > ride their bikes to school, and we want to have a space where we > > > can make a plan to help bring some of those really wonderful > > > things to places where we don't quite have that yet. > > > > > > We also like to hang out with y'all and promise to do our best to > > > throw a good party :) > > > > > > Cheers, > > > Carolyn > > > > > > www.troybikerescue.org <http://www.troybikerescue.org> > > > > "When shall we live if not now?" - M.F.K. Fisher > > > > > > > > > --- On *Sat, 12/12/09, mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com > > > <mailto:mylifeinthenow@gmail.com <mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com?>> /< > > mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com > > > </*?'mailto:mylifeinthenow@gmail.com>>/* <mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com > >wrote: > > > > > > > > > From: mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com > > > <mailto:mylifeinthenow@gmail.com <mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com?>> < > > mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com > > > <mailto:mylifeinthenow@gmail.com <mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com?>>> > > > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 4 BikeBikes. > > > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <mailto:thethinktank@bikecollectives.org< > thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org?> > > > > > > Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009, 5:03 PM > > > > > > Bike! Bike! NE is still going on in Apri as a warm up for May > > > is Bike Month! > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009 7:56:48 pm > > > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <http://mc/compose?to=thethinktank@bikecollectives.org>> > > > From: "N.O.Bike Project" <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com > > > <http://mc/compose?to=nolabikeproject@gmail.com>> > > > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 4 BikeBikes. > > > > > > My bad, there are 4. Hmmm. > > > > > > winter.snowy.rose(a)gmail.com > > > <http://mc/compose?to=winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > What about the eastern one about new York area in April or may? > > > > Is that still on? > > > > > > > > Chlo? > > > > Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > > From: "N.O.Bike Project" <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com > > > <http://mc/compose?to=nolabikeproject@gmail.com>> > > > > Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:39:55 > > > > To: The Think Tank<thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <http://mc/compose?to=thethinktank@bikecollectives.org>> > > > > Subject: [TheThinkTank] 3 BikeBikes. > > > > > > > > Hey y'all. > > > > > > > > In response to the query about a running tally. There are 3 > > > BikeBike!'s > > > > that I know of. Louisville and Boulder in the spring (on the > > > same > > > > weekend-March20) and Toronto in the summer. > > > > > > > > Personally I think regional bikebikes are a great idea. My > > > only concern > > > > is that there may be a lower turnout at the big annual > > > event. I guess > > > > we'll see what happens. > > > > > > > > -Victor. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > Thethinktank mailing list > > > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <http://mc/compose?to=Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org> > > > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThi > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Thethinktank mailing list > > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <http://mc/compose?to=Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org> > > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <http://mc/compose?to=TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org> > > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Thethinktank mailing list > > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <mailto:Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org< > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org?> > > > > > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > > <mailto:TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org< > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org?> > > > > > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Thethinktank mailing list > > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > > -- > Thanks for supporting Community Cycles, Boulder's first and only > non-profit > bike shop! > Ask me how you can sponsor a Youth Earn-A-Bike student for just $100. > www.communitycycles.org >

1 0

getting organized, growing from one event to the next.
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 13 Dec '09

13 Dec '09

Something I've been working on lately is a template for organizing an event and/or a program. It seemed like every time we put on a class, or a workshop or an event, we had to reinvent the thing, since no one had taken notes on what worked or didn't work last time. We've come up with a pretty simple multi-page spreadsheet that helps parse out tasks, duties, and timelines for things. It allows us to document the procedure for setting up an event or class (say, an open house, or a workshop) and then keep track of everything that needs to happen, what allies you can rely on, what their contact info is, other resources, food donors, space resources, all of it. After the event, it's also vital to do post-event evaluations, and include that information in your spreadsheet. What went wrong, what went well, what did you forget? Then, the next time someone, or you, wants to do the event again, all you have to do is call up your template, and do what's on the list of tasks. This time, you'll have your notes on what you forgot the first time, who helped you last time, who was good at what task, etc. Every time we start a new project here at Community Cycles, we draw up one of these templates, and start plugging in dates and names and tasks. We use a simple Google spreadsheet, which makes it easy to delegate and share responsibilites, and see waht people are up to. We're getting to the point now where we're able to rely on the spreadhseet info to do the event again, and it's proven SO helpful. When it's time to put the class on again, you just get the plan out of the box, and go down the list. You've taken notes on it already, so you know that if you do everything on the list, then it will be at least as successful and professional as the last time you did it. This isn't specific to bike projects, either. I've imagined it fitting with my old office job for projects or campaigns that we worked on. I think it could even work on personal around-the-house projects if they're sufficiently big enough to warrant their own planning process. I'm working on a "demo model" that has comments explaining some of the inner workings of it. I would love to share it with anyone who's interested. If you would like to check it out hit me up off list and I'll share the sample I have, which does not have comments just yet. Sorry this email is so disjointed, in case anyone's still reading. I didn't plan on mentioning/releasing this thing, but got excited with all the bikebikes happening, and wanted to share. Thanks everyone. josh.

2 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] 4 Bike Bikes
by Ainsley Naylor 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

Actually there are 5 - Montreal hosted the first "Velo Velo" conference this past September. Personally I can understand wanting to get together with folks who share your region, climate, state motto, etc. - there are probably a dozen projects in the smaller cities around Toronto we could share ideas with! - but I can also see the drawbacks to having these separate events. There can be a drain on energy and resources (five groups spending several months organizing something on top of their ongoing bike-project work instead of just one group making the sacrifice), as well as the potential to feel competition and folks having to decide which event to attend. We can only get so much time off of work, afterall. Anyhow, maybe we can all keep this in mind to discuss at any and all of these conferences. Or continue discussion here! high fives, Ainsley Pirate.

2 1

Mountain States Regional Bikebike in Boulder, CO! Mark your calenders! March 19th through the 21st, 2010
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 12 Dec '09

12 Dec '09

If you're reading this, you are invited to Boulder to the first ever Mountain States Regional bikebike! It'll be held from March 19th through March 21st, 2010, in Boulder, Colorado. We don't have the registration site set up yet, but when we do, we'll post it. This email is just to let you know it is happening, and to mark your calenders. We're also accepting suggestions for workshops, activities, and any other suggestions you may have. Please know this is not in any way meant to take away from the big Bikebike that's happening in Toronto. We had a bunch of comrades here who couldn't make it to Minneapolis, and we wanted to get together with them. We figured while we're planning this thing, we could invite as many folks as want to come. Anyone is welcome to come to our little version bikebike. No bike shop or organization is to small or large. If you're interested, or have ideas, please let me know. We'll be doing some digging to find some of the smaller projects in the area that either don't know about the international network/movement, or haven't made it to a bikebike yet. Thanks, everyone. Can't wait to see you locals, and I can't wait to see everyone else in August! Josh and the crew at Community Cycles.

5 5

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 40, Issue 7
by Jason Tanzman 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul, MN periodically gets donations of police department bikes. They are usually given to us by small suburban communities (St. Paul and Minneapolis auction their bikes off to raise money). Our police dept bikes come with no programmatic strings attached - we can do whatever we want with the bikes. For small or start-up coops, police departments can be reliable sources of bikes. Often they want you to be either a 501c3 or have a sponsoring organization but not always. Especially for small townships, it isn't worth their energy to auction the bikes off - it just doesn't make enough money to be worth it (distinctly different than a place like Toronto or Minneapolis or other medium to big cities). I would warn folks that police department "donations" can be useful but can also be a huge pain in the butt. 2 month ago, we got a load of like 75 bikes of which they were pretty much all worthless and we had to remove the rubber and such to recycle all of them - basically it was a bunch of extra work for us to process abandoned junk. In terms of bike acquisition - I think that doing "bike drives" of various sorts - with churches, businesses, neighborhoods, etc can be a more effective way of acquiring decent bikes for all your different bike coop programs. It also gets the word out to lots of individuals who potentially become supporters of your organization in different ways. Jason Tanzman _______________ Sibley Bike Depot Volunteer Coordinator 612-232-2737 (cell) 651-222-2080 (shop) www.sibleybikedepot.org Sibley Bike Depot's mission is to be an open, accessible space to educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities!

1 0

anyone know of a nonprofit bike depot that handles unclaimed stolen/impound bikes?
by Andrea Smith 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Hi Everyone, I'm looking for an example of a city where a community bike shop handles all impounded bikes at a central location and then refurbishes and sells the ones that aren't claimed. I work on cycling issues in Vancouver and Victoria on the west coast of BC, Canada, and the current situation (where if the cops can't find the owner of a stolen they sell it and keep the money) is seriously messed up. I'd like to propose an alternative where a nonprofit could be set up to handle the whole impound process, and it'd be great if I could point to an example where it's already done this way. Thanks, Andrea

7 6

joining list
by Kelly Martin 08 Dec '09

08 Dec '09

Hi there! I have tried to both subscribe and create an account and got the attached error. And I tried calling the number for Jonathan Morrison under "contact us," and it doesn't work! Help! Thanks, Kelly Martin, Operations Facilitator The Bicycle Kitchen/La Bicicocina 706 N. Heliotrope Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90029 W 323.NOCARRO | M 213.210.5631 kelly(a)bicyclekitchen.com | www.bicyclekitchen.com http://www.bicicocina.blogspot.com

3 2

Bike Collective Network on Crabgrass
by Fhar Miess 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Is anyone doing anything with the Bike Collective Network on Crabgrass? https://we.riseup.net/bikecollectivenetwork Any other bike co-ops who are on Crabgrass? Fhar

4 5

Bike to Bike! Bike! (and from Bike! Bike!)
by Angel York 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

Hi y'all, I'm biking from California to Bike! Bike! 2010 in Toronto! Woooot! Now I just need a few good biking buddies. Are you one of them? About me & my touring style: I have about 5,000 miles of longer touring experience with 3 different touring buddies. You don't have to have ever toured in your life, so long as you have a functioning bike (and I bet you do!) An average of 50-60 miles a day is a nice pace, leaves time for some reading and picnicking. I've a preference for doing it on the cheap, maybe splurging for a campsite/shower/laundry/hash browns every few days or so. I know a thing or two about bike mechanicry, but not so much that my wheels are true after I've just trued 'em. ;) If you've any interest in coming along for all or part of the adventure, drop me a line, and we'll interact a bit, see if we might get along for the ride. I'm in Davis, California (on I-80 near Sacramento) and planning to leave more or less around June 15th. The route hasn't been established yet. I'm leaning toward using Google Maps or AdventureCycling.org. I might also be pedaling down to New Orleans after Bike! Bike!, so if you've interest in that leg o' the journey, that's a potential option, too. -Angel P.S. If you're from the Bike Project in New Orleans, hi! See you next winter!

5 7

New discount at german brothels if you arrive with a bike!
by Cris Shirley 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5821953/German-brot… On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 1:36 AM, Cris Shirley <cgshirley(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hey! > If you go here: http://maps.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=suggestions.cs > you can suggest to google to add bike directions option to their maps > I found out about this here: http://googlemapsbikethere.org/ > xoxo > cris >

1 0

Tell google to add bike directions to their maps!
by Cris Shirley 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Hey! If you go here: http://maps.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=suggestions.cs you can suggest to google to add bike directions option to their maps I found out about this here: http://googlemapsbikethere.org/ xoxo cris

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Advice on Legal Status?
by mylifeinthenow＠gmail.com 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

Hehehe! Thank you. -----Original Message----- Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 9:53:41 am To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> From: "Chris DiGiamo" <chris.digiamo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Advice on Legal Status? Your Mileage May Vary. It's a phrase used frequently online to state that your experience may be different than someone elses. On Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 9:47 AM, mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com < mylifeinthenow(a)gmail.com> wrote: > YMMV???? What does this mean? > -----Original Message----- > Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 10:18:56 pm > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > From: "Macho Philipovich" <macho(a)resist.ca> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Advice on Legal Status? > > > Great to hear, Carol! You're sure to have fun. Just try not to do too > much too fast and burn out. This information might be useful to you: > > > http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bike_Collective_Starter… > > Maybe you'll even want to help flesh it out as things progress with your > shop. > > Our shop (in Canada, mind you) has still not even incorporated, and we > are about 5 years old. We have pretty cheap rent, and a decent pool of > volunteers, so we don't need to rely on

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Advice on Legal Status?
by mylifeinthenow＠gmail.com 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

YMMV???? What does this mean? -----Original Message----- Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 10:18:56 pm To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> From: "Macho Philipovich" <macho(a)resist.ca> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Advice on Legal Status? Great to hear, Carol! You're sure to have fun. Just try not to do too much too fast and burn out. This information might be useful to you: http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bike_Collective_Starter… Maybe you'll even want to help flesh it out as things progress with your shop. Our shop (in Canada, mind you) has still not even incorporated, and we are about 5 years old. We have pretty cheap rent, and a decent pool of volunteers, so we don't need to rely on grants. YMMV. Good luck, Macho Carol Guest wrote: > Good people of the Think Thank Listserv, > > A group of us are starting a coop in DC (www.thebikehouse.org > <http://www.thebikehouse.org>) and just now navigating world of legal > filings, options etc. We're not sure we're ready to go 501(c)(3) but > wondering what other options might be available. If you have any > resources this or advice for a new shop, please send them my way. > > Happy Thanksgiving and looking forward to hearing from yo

2 1

Advice on Legal Status?
by Carol Guest 24 Nov '09

24 Nov '09

Good people of the Think Thank Listserv, A group of us are starting a coop in DC (www.thebikehouse.org) and just now navigating world of legal filings, options etc. We're not sure we're ready to go 501(c)(3) but wondering what other options might be available. If you have any resources this or advice for a new shop, please send them my way. Happy Thanksgiving and looking forward to hearing from you, Carol __o _ `\ <, _ ...... ( • ) / ( • ) Carol Guest | 802.345.8092 | guest.carol(a)gmail.com 2009/11/23 <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org> > 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 Collectives in China? (Anthony Siracusa) > 2. free nonprofit forms and documents resource website > (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:39:35 +1100 > From: Anthony Siracusa <anthonycsiracusa(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Collectives in China? > Message-ID: > <6cab74000911211639t537b74cdga6d4036375abccc1(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi all-- > > I'm headed to Beijing in February, and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a > bike collective/community bike shop operating in the city. I'm guessing > that China--as with so many non-North American places--has a social > contract > that doesn't produce community bike shops. Still, please let me know if > you > have any bike contacts in Beijing or you know about interesting programs in > the city. > > Thanks--all the best! > Anthony > > -- > Anthony Siracusa > www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com > +61 (0) 458142357 > Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 > People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities > www.watsonfellowship.org >

2 1

bike intake inspection
by bicycleeducation＠aol.com 24 Nov '09

24 Nov '09

I run a shop with a lot of non mechanics doing the initial bicycle inspection. One tool has helped, The Park Chain Checker. They are told that when they see .75 in the inspection window that they should tell the customer the chain is worn out and the cassette / freewheel should be replaced as well. I have instructed them on how to feel loose bearing in the hubs, headset, and bottom bracket. I have shown them examples of worn tires, worn brake pads and bent rims. I have them put each bike up in a stand to check the function of the shifters, and all cables. We have a little check off list for them to go through. This has helped. Christopher

1 0

free nonprofit forms and documents resource website
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 23 Nov '09

23 Nov '09

I came across a website this morning that some of you may find helpful. www.oursharedresources.com has a bunch of submissions from nonprofits and other groups that work with volunteers and face similar challenges infrastructure-wise to those we face. There are actual documents that other orgs use, and blank templates that you can use to work through the process of coming up with a volunteer job description, for example. The website is free, and the templates and documents are free to download, but you do have to register. The website is pretty sparse, and I haven't found an easy way to just browse what's been posted, but you can search using keywords or using the suggested types of documents, which helps when you don't know what you're looking for. It's run by a group that's run by Susan J Ellis, who does a volunteer blog, and has published a book or several about volunteer management and nonprofit work in general. When I first came across the site this morning, I thought "It's like the Bike Collectives Wiki, but for groups that aren't bike shops!" and that description still sort of works. Good hunting! josh.

1 0

Bike Collectives in China?
by Anthony Siracusa 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

Hi all-- I'm headed to Beijing in February, and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a bike collective/community bike shop operating in the city. I'm guessing that China--as with so many non-North American places--has a social contract that doesn't produce community bike shops. Still, please let me know if you have any bike contacts in Beijing or you know about interesting programs in the city. Thanks--all the best! Anthony -- Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +61 (0) 458142357 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org

1 0

BikeIt- Pedal to the US Social Forum in June, 2010---Community Bike Shops Invited!!
by Claire Stoscheck 21 Nov '09

21 Nov '09

*Pedal to the U.S. Social Forum, Detroit, MI, in June, 2010! www.bikeit.org* * * Dear Think-Tankers---- I've been on your list a while, and love all the discussion that goes on here. I want to invite you all to an awesome biking event that's happening at a National-scale next June..... It's a project called Bikeit --a project to organize thousands of folks to bike in huge bike caravans to the US Social Forum in Detroit in June. Bikeit is about people power, alternative transportation, it is about organizing ourselves to have a world of clean air, clean water, healthy food and health care, economic and racial justice, and it is about making that statement all together. It is about joining thousands of other cyclists to get to the 2010 US Social Forum in Detroit, MI! We hope you will join us in pedaling to the forum---and encourage you to organize a ride to Detroit from your home town/cicty!! See www.bikeit.orgfor more information on how.. . The United States Social forum is a national convocation of community organizers working for social and environmental justice. It is part of the movement of World Social Forums started in Brazil in 2001, initiated as a response by global social movements to the challenge of economic policies that have concentrated wealth and power in fewer hands, while forcing millions into poverty. The Forum is an opportunity to come together with 20,000 others working for social and environmental justice from all over the country to share our stories, successes, challenges, to make connections, and most importantly, to build our movements TOGETHER. This includes the movement to create a bike culture out of the economically-damaging and socially isolating car culture. Through BikeIt, bicyclists from all over the country will spread the word about the Forum and energize strangers along the way as they pedal through town after town. Some of those strangers will join them. The climax of the ride will be wave after wave of thousands of smiling people on foot-powered vehicles flooding the Motor City during the Forum’s Opening March. Bikeit! is looking for organizers <http://bikeit.org/?page_id=5> and riders<http://bikeit.org/?page_id=3>to join us in the adventure of a lifetime. We see small groups leaving from all over the U.S. (maybe even Canada or Mexico!). We already have groups leaving from San Francisco, Madison, Chicago, Buffalo, New York City, Ithaca, Philadelphia and the Hudson Valley, all to converge on the Motor City. All you have to do to get involved is join a group as it rides by, or organize your own ride or caravan from your city or town! We envision chase vehicles powered by biofuels or hybrids carrying food, camping gear, bike tools, and giving the tired biker a little respite. We see a movement to Detroit that brings a message of inspiration and motivation to every town it passes through. *The second U.S. Social Forum <http://bikeit.org/?page_id=6> will open in Detroit on June 22 and run until June 26, 2010. We are now looking for organizers to recruit squads of cyclists and biofuel-powered support wagons to ride from wherever they are to the Opening March. A huge wave of people on foot-powered vehicles swarming all over the Motor City. Can’t you just see it?* GET INVOLVED! Organize a ride, or join a ride that’s passing by your town/city! Check out http://www.bikeit.org for more information or email Claire at bikeit2010(a)gmail.com Thanks ya'll, hope to see some awesome bike shops organizing rides, and hope to see you on your bike in Detroit in June! Best wishes, Claire Stoscheck Ithaca, NY

1 0

carrying cargo workshop, designs needed
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 19 Nov '09

19 Nov '09

Hey Everyone, Community Cycles just put on our first ever Winter Cycling workshop, and it was really awesome. (I hope to have photos soon, and will post those when we do.) We talked about how to outfit your bike, and how to outfit your person for comfortable riding in the (admittedly, mild) Boulder winter. What to avoid, how to ride differently, etc. We made a zine for the workshop, and I'm working on getting it into pdf form. I'll post it to the bike collectives wiki when it's formatted correctly. We'll be holding a few more of the same class this winter. We're hoping to get someone to come and film it, so the video will be available later. We're also working now on planning a similar class for the spring, but about carrying things on bikes using trailers, racks, bags, etc. Does anyone have decent plans for home made trailers or panniers? I know at bikebike in San Francisco, someone had a workshop about coroplast panniers. Does anyone know who put that on? I've love to get ahold of that person or the design. In our workshops, we're trying really hard to focus just as much on the diy solutions, and not just "here's the product you need. it costs this much." So DIY solutions are going to be a big part of the trailer workshop. If anyone has plans or pictures for a home made trailer, we would love to include them in the workshop. Even if you don't have plans, but have some good photos which will allow us to reengineer them, we'd love it. Especially no-weld, mostly bike part trailers, since bike parts are pretty easy for us to come by. Thanks! Again, I'll post up the pdf once I get it. We've also got a very loose curriculum that we can share. Email me off the list and I'm happy to share that with anyone who wants. It's basically an outline of the class. josh.

6 6

your org's policy on working with kids?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 19 Nov '09

19 Nov '09

we're hard at work on Community Cycles' shop manual, and we're wondering if any of you have any formal policies for shop volunteers and/or staff that you'd feel like sharing. i'm imagining something to the effect of "at least two staff must be present when kids are around..." or something like that. on a somewhat related note, have any of you had any experience with someone--staff, volunteer, customer, etc--being inappropriate around kids, (aside from normal bad language..) that you had to deal with a parent for? i'd be interested in hearing about that experience... thanks! josh.

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] Looking for lists?
by Clayton artemis 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Here are some of the USA contact databases we have for sale: Each list has many different fields including phone, fax, postal address, email and much more.See what we have available and I will give you a special price. US Medical Database - Updated Records 2009 (reg$999) Complete Physician Database 788,800 doctors available for direct mail Physician Email 48,500 (17,441Unique) Physician Fax Database 202,466 First name* Last name* Title* Specialty* Address (city, state, zip, county)*Medical School Attended* Residency Training* Phone/Fax * Email* Website* Primary Specialty*Secondary Specialty* (PHYSICIANS DATABASE COMES SORTED BY STATE AND BY SPECIALTIES) 7145 Hospitals*23,000 Administrators with Ph/fax and postal address. No emails (reg:$399) Licensed Clinic/Dentist 597,959 Total Records*6,494 Emails*6,000 Fax Numbers. (reg:$599) US Pharmaceutical Company 47,000 employees in high-ranking positions (reg: $299) Executive's Directory Names and email addresses of Chiropractors*108,421 with phone, 3,414 emails and 6,553 fax numbers. (reg: $399) Acupuncture Database 23,988 records 1,826 emails (reg: $299) Alternative Medicine Clinics and Practitioners Database (reg: $699) There are 1,141,602 total records with 29,320 emails and 38.935 fax numbers Medical Equipment Supplier Database This database has fields: Business Name, Postal Address, Phone, Fax, Email and Website There are 167,425 total records with 6,940 emails and 5,812 fax numbers. Physical Therapy Database This database has fields: Clinic/Therapist Name, Postal Address, Phone, Fax, Email and Website It contains data for Physical, Occupational, Radiation and Speech Therapists There are 125,460 total records with 5,483 emails and 4,405 fax numbers. Drop me a line here for more info & samples: Antonio(a)bestbizlists.info send an email to rembox(a)bestbizlists.info to be excluded from future mailing.

1 0

Catching Up about BikeBike NE in APril
by andrew lynn 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Hi everyone, If you are getting this email, you either already are, or have reason to be interested in BikeBike Northeast in Troy, NY on April 23-25. We plan to start doing some more planning and local strategizing soon, and just wanted to make sure you all were still on board. This will be a pretty big deal for us to pull off we want it to be good. This email includes bike co-ops and projects from Worcester, Troy/Albany, Ithaca, Montpelier, Poughkeepsie, Providence, NYC, Lewiston ME, Pittsburgh, and Coatesville PA.... perhaps even more people will come on board as we get it together a little more. Locally, it will be billed as a pre bike-month bike-weekend with out of town guests, workshops, movies and more. A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF HOPES FOR BIKEBIKE NE -an overdue meeting of the nor'easterly bicycle minds -discussion of best practices and sharing of experience -encouraging people to make it to the international bikebike in Toronto (we are organizing a rider there via the erie canal trail) -technical workshops - welding, trailers, tallbikes, ?? -some kind of fun bike race? -community meals -bike polo matches -bicycle movie nite and party WHY APRIL 23-25? we picked this date because it is just before bike month (May), when bicycle activists are typically busy promoting and participating in events and we wanted to avoid unintentional double-booking. WHERE most of bikebike NE will happen at The Sanctuary for Independent Media (http://mediasanctuary.org). some welding workshops and probably some music/partytime will happen at our shop in downtown Troy. Some kind of semi-organized ride will offer guests a two-wheeled tour of the region. HOUSING once we have a better idea of the amount of out-of-town participation, we will begin to work that out. but you will be roofed - be it on a couch, guest bed, or crash space floor. COST just like BikeBike Int'l., we will ask for a donation to cover food and conferencey supplies. the sliding scale amount is TBD, and we are not looking to turn people away. YOU please spread the word of this event to your bikey networks & dont hesitate to email us your suggestions by selecting the subject: BikeBike NE Info at: http://troybikerescue.org/contact ovr&out Troy Bike Rescue gang Troy/Albany, NY

1 0

bike frame bike parking racks
by Bob Giordano 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

we just made another bicycle parking rack from old unusable bike frames, and donated it to a neighborhood park. they loved it. one recipe, of the several we are trying: 1- on a one-piece crank bicycle, strip frame to almost bare, especially bottom bracket shell 2- punch out bottom bracket cups 3- repeat with 2 more similar bicycles just posted a picture- click on link that is listed about 7 pictures down at: http://freecycles.org/pedaltechnology.html this new style is much more sturdy than the inverted frame, stem into the seat post method we had been using. -Bob g. free cycles. > Another thought - be careful with police department bike dumps. They can > sometimes be good, but the last police dept that "donated" us bikes literally gave us a week's worth of work scrapping out junk for pretty much > nothing that was useful. >

1 0

carrying cargo workshop, designs needed
by Bob Giordano 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

we have some pix of no-weld, all bike part, 3 hour to make trailer at: http://freecycles.org/pedaltechnology.html it can be modified easily. pretty sturdy, though heavy loads require you to drill a couple extra holes for pins into stems. it's just forks, stems, cut frame tubing... design can be improved... -Bob Giordano, Free Cycles Missoula veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com wrote: > > Does anyone have decent plans for home made trailers

1 0

Bike Collective Network mission
by Bob Giordano 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

from: http://www.bikecollectives.org/ "The Think Tank : Email List The mission of the Bike Collective Network is to strengthen and encourage communication and resource sharing between existing and future community bike shops. Collectively we can improve a bigger wheel as opposed to re-inventing smaller ones." I really like the first sentence. Could the second sentence be something like, 'improve a bigger wheel as well as reinventing smaller ones', or even just, 'improving the wheel one shop at a time,'. or???? The issue is I like lots of small stuff instead of fewer bigger stuff, and also we are always tinkering with small wheels, making new things at our shop. Just some thoughts for this group. thanks. -Bob Giordano Free Cycles Missoula

2 1

Portland Peeps, anyone know Aaron Tarfman?
by Boson Au 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

got a facebook status alert from a acquaintance in portland that a bike activist Aaron Tarfman who lived in SE portland hasn't returned home in 24 hrs. there's a farewell letter on his website. http://tarfman.net/end/index.html I ended up reading the entire letter having never met the guy and was wondering if there are those in portland who know of him and know how to reach him. Hopefully this helps? I apologize in advance if this is inappropriate. ps: this was posted in bikeportland. http://bikeportland.org/2009/11/11/concern-grows-for-missing-community-memb…

1 0

Cargo Framebuilding Apprenticeship Program
by Oregon Cycling 10 Nov '09

10 Nov '09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE /Contact Natalie Dreyer, +541 344 1197, edcoord(a)catoregon.org/ *Cargo Framebuilding Apprenticeship Program Officially Accepting Applications* The "Human Powered Network" Invites Applicants To Make Some Real Change, One Cargo Bicycle at a Time EUGENE, OR, November 10, 2009 -- With one month remaining for its first class, the Center for Appropriate Transport (CAT) announced today that it is officially accepting applications for the second class in its ongoing apprenticeship program. The three current apprentices are now skilled in TIG welding, CAD design and frame fabrication. Nearing the end of their time in the program, they are currently building their own cargo bikes. This apprenticeship program teaches the fundamentals of bicycle frame building, with particular emphasis on the construction of cargo bicycles, tricycles and trailers. CAT also provides participants with hands-on instruction for starting and operating a successful cargo bicycle delivery service---a 100% CO2-free method of urban cargo transportation. Participants in this five-month apprenticeship take home the skills and designs needed to build their own manufacturing business and delivery service. Utilizing the principles of social enterprise, sustainability, and appropriate technology, graduates of CAT's apprenticeship program can join a cargo bicycle business network that will be based on concepts derived from micro and social franchising, as well as flexible manufacturing networks. "We are an organization committed to community involvement in manufacturing, using, and advocating for sustainable modes of transportation---and local business," said Jan VanderTuin, director at the Center for Appropriate Transport, "What we have done in our community, we are certain graduates from this program can do in theirs. Our intent is to create a Human Powered Network." The bicycles that participants learn how to build are based on European designs researched by VanderTuin in the early 1980s. CAT uses the cargo bikes, tricycles and trailers it builds to operate Pedalers Express, Eugene, Oregon's first and only year-round, all-weather, cargo bicycle delivery service. Pedalers Express has been providing its community with fast, dependable, weatherproof, same-day deliveries since 1992---saving an estimated 25,000 pounds of CO2 annually. For more information about the program, application and the Center for Appropriate Transport, visit www.catoregon.org/ *About the Center for Appropriate Transport * The Center for Appropriate Transport (CAT) is a non-profit organization committed to community involvement in manufacturing, using, and advocating sustainable modes of transportation. The first organization of its kind, the Center was founded in Eugene, Oregon in the fall of 1992. More information about the Center's many projects can be found at www.catoregon.org/ <http://www.catoregon.org/> /High resolution photos available on request./

1 0

large group activity
by Bob Giordano 10 Nov '09

10 Nov '09

We've worked with two large groups in the last week- one was 20 university students and the other was 38 highschool students, both for an hour and a half. One activity that works well that i'd like to share: Everyone gets in a big circle with a wheel. The facilitator then shows how to spin the wheel to check for trueness... and then asks everyone to pass the wheel to the left. Then explain, say, a well-adjusted cone, spin the wheel, feel it, look at it, pass the wheel to the left. Give it a spin... lean into it so it really spins... check to see if all the spokes are there... any broken? what's the nut at the end of the spoke called? Yes. Pass to the left. Look at the axle. Is it hollow or solid? Why? Pass to the left. Is the axle bent? How do you know if a replacement axle is straight? Hint: anyone play pool? Yes! Give it a spin. Pass to left. Is the wheel your holding Aluminum or Steel? How do you know? What are the differences? -------------------- I think you get point fellow think tankers. Here are other wheel issues, as you pass the wheel around: reflectors, front or back?, rim strip, sizes, spoke tension, axle threads, weight transfer in spokes... I always go around the circle until everyone has the wheel they started with. (a teaching point is not needed for every 'pass to the left') And then a fun puzzle/game: 'Everyone hold onto the wheel next to you, so we have a complete circle. Now, how can we- without letting go of the wheels, and keeping a complete circle- move around so that everyone is facing outward instead of inward?' Once they actually do it, I have them reverse to the original position, and then as a closer, 'on 3, everyone raise your wheel in the air and yell 'wheel power!''. If the group is under, say, 7 years old, then tires work well for this activity and puzzle... -- Bob Giordano Free Cycles Missoula 541.7284 Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation www.strans.org, mist(a)strans.org, 406.880.6834

2 1

City considers projects for Northside cyclists--responses needed!
by MoBo Bicycle Co-op 10 Nov '09

10 Nov '09

The City is considering two potential projects that would impact Northside cyclists. Before we move forward on either project, we need to know whether or not cyclists think they would be helpful. The City will not move forward unless they receive positive feedback from cyclists. > >>> 1. Bike Corral on Lingo Street: *Proposal* - The metered motor >>>> vehicle parking spot immediately before the stop sign on Lingo Street >>>> (facing Hamilton) would be converted to a bike “corral” that would hold 8-12 >>>> bicycles (see attached image). *Question* – Would cyclists use this >>>> corral, or is it too far away from Hamilton? (A corral cannot be installed >>>> on Hamilton itself because of the peak-hour parking restrictions.) >>>> >>>> 2. Loop Detector Pavement Marking on Clifton Ave: *Proposal* – A >>>> bicycle pavement marking would be installed over the loop detector on >>>> Clifton Ave at the Spring Grove intersection (by the Kroger). The pavement >>>> marking shows cyclists where to position their bike in order to change the >>>> traffic signal to green. *Question* – Do cyclists have difficulty >>>> triggering this traffic signal when making a left turn onto Spring Grove >>>> >>>> >>>> Please send feedback to melissa.mcvay(a)cincinnati-oh.gov<https://bl2prd0102.outlook.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=916be6fbf8f2472e9177e47ff33…>. >>>> I repeat, the City will not move forward unless they receive positive >>>> feedback from cyclists. >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> MoBo Bicycle Co-op >>>> a project of The Village Green Foundation >>>> 1415 Knowlton Ave >>>> Northside >>>> Cincinnati, OH >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> MoBo Bicycle Co-op >>> a project of The Village Green Foundation >>> 1415 Knowlton Ave >>> Northside >>> Cincinnati, OH >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> MoBo Bicycle Co-op >> a project of The Village Green Foundation >> 1415 Knowlton Ave >> Northside >> Cincinnati, OH >> > > > > -- > MoBo Bicycle Co-op > a project of The Village Green Foundation > 1415 Knowlton Ave > Northside > Cincinnati, OH > -- MoBo Bicycle Co-op a project of The Village Green Foundation 1415 Knowlton Ave Northside Cincinnati, OH

1 0

Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums
by Erik Stockmeier 05 Nov '09

05 Nov '09

Hi all- Like many shops, The Recyclery has given away free bicycles with helmets and locks as part of the charitable end of our mission for some time. For a number of reasons, including several new possible partnerships with Immigrant and Refugee groups in the Chicago area and the desire to qualitatively improve some of the long-term outcomes of our Freecyclery program (which currently ends with the bicycle/signature exchange), we are now considering developing a more thorough manual and 2-4 hour class curriculum. It would cover basic maintenance questions (patching tires, adjusting brakes and derailleurs) as well as bike safety/common sense (avoiding theft, sharing the road) and would, of course, make clear that The Recyclery exists as a place where they can get help if something does go wrong. However, not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I'm wondering if any other shops have already developed a similar curriculum or handbook. If so, want to share? If not (but you are interested in the idea), would you be interested in forming an internet working group to collaborate on such a resource we could share? Right now I am working with one of our potential partners and we are picturing a graphically-intense book, the text of which could potentially be translated by people that work for their organization into a number of different languages. From there we would recruit some volunteer graphic designers or find someone that knows how to work something like scribus ( http://www.scribus.net/) to make a nice little booklet (I'm picturing something that could be reproduced photocopier/zine style or done up more flashy) available to all. OK.

3 2

church bike drives
by Jason Tanzman 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

Another extremely useful outlet for bike acquisition is church bike drives. Sibley did two bike drives in the last month that yielded about 50 and 100 bikes each, including some really nice stuff that has medium-high retail value, and lots of of functional bikes for our different community programs. I believe that Working Bikes in Chicago has a lot of bike drive/bike acquisition experience. Anyone from there have any suggestions on effective ways to acquire bikes? Do you have any documents or info sheets on how to organize a bike drive? I was thinking it would useful to have a document on how to organize bike acquisition - who to talk with, how to organize a bike drive, how to connect in with neighborhood cleanups, stuff like that. Anyone out there have any resources already put together? Another thought - be careful with police department bike dumps. They can sometimes be good, but the last police dept that "donated" us bikes literally gave us a week's worth of work scrapping out junk for pretty much nothing that was useful. Jason -- Sibley Bike Depot Volunteer Coordinator 612-232-2737 (cell) 651-222-2080 (shop) www.sibleybikedepot.org Sibley Bike Depot's mission is to be an open, accessible space to educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities!

1 0

Liability & Safety
by John Barrett 02 Nov '09

02 Nov '09

What do other shops do in terms of safety checks and so on when clients leave the shop? We typically don't much worry about it because our bikes are sold "as is"; however, I wonder if we don't have a greater responsibility in both ethical and legal terms. I guess the major complication is that so many people pass through planning to work further on their bikes at home. On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 7:56 PM, andrew lynn <anyone(a)breathingplanet.net>wrote: > hi everyone.... > > Announcing the first BikeBike NE in Troy, NY > A regional gathering of bicycle projects in the Northeast US. > April 24 & 25, 2010 at the Sanctuary for Independent Media > Organized and hosted by Troy Bike Rescue > > What is BikeBike? > BikeBike is an annual international gathering of community bicycle > projects. It has happened in cities such as New Orleans, Pittsburgh, San > Francisco, Minneapolis and Milwaukee. This coming years conference will be > in Toronto in the summer of 2010. Regional events, such as BikeBike > Southeast have been held in Atlanta and Louisville (upcoming). > more info at: http://www.bikebike.org > > What will happen at BikeBike Northeast? > Workshops & discussions for fledgling and experienced shops, a mini film > festival, mutant bike welding, trailer building, exploring urban ruins on > bike, pick-up polo matches, and whatever else you want to make happen! > > Who will come to BikeBike Northeast? > In addition to the local public, we hope to attract participants from > community bike projects as near and as far as: Delaware, Baltimore, > Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New Haven, Ithaca, Montpelier, Plattsburgh, > Burlington, New Hampshire, Boston, State College PA, Providence, Worcester, > NYC, and more... Are you on this list? We hope you can make it!! > > We have received modest interest from various groups, but will need plenty > of help getting the word out there. If you hear of people in the Northeast > wanting to start ups community shops or simply interested in joining a > conversation about building bicycle culture in post-industrial expanses of > this corner of the world, please tell them about BikeBike Northeast (and > BikeBike International- to be held in Toronto in Summer 2010). > > CONTACT US VIA OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION > http://www.troybikerescue.org/contact > > http://troybikerescue.org > http://mediasanctuary.org > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View - Calgary jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca / jonny.barrett(a)twowheelview.org 403.619.2648 When the situation is desperate, it is too late to be serious. Be playful. -- Edward Abbey

1 0

Bike Collectives database
by Fhar Miess 01 Nov '09

01 Nov '09

Hey all, There was a Google Docs database set up at some point to gather information about various bike collectives, including if they're looking for particular volunteers, some details about their internal organization, specific programs they run, etc. I can't seem to find that anymore. Can someone point me in the right direction? Fhar

4 4

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 38, Issue 26
by Clifford McCarten 30 Oct '09

30 Oct '09

Can we keep the peace, folks? The slow dialogue accomplished through electronic text has a particularly insidious way of making people's positions appear more heinous than they really are. What could be easily accomplished in a few minutes chatting as adults (friends, even), frequently becomes a site of attack. This is why internet debates suck. Best advice I read recently re: these situations - Sit down, write an angry email. Read it slowly. Then delete it. I'm not exercising authoritarian male privilege to shut down an unpleasant but necessary social/political argument. I'm just suggesting that there are better ways to do this; and, most importantly, this thinktank listserv (as I understand it) is a very poorly suited space to having that conversation. Clifford McCarten Co-Director, B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 400 Wolfe St, Peterborough ON K9J 2P3 (705) 748-6681 http://www.communitybikeshop.org On 2009-10-30, at 4:08 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. Re: Digression from the non-male only projectsthread. (Bike City) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:18:31 -0600 > From: Bike City <bikecityrecyclery(a)gmail.com> > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Digression from the non-male only > projectsthread. > Message-ID: <1256926711.3564.31.camel@andrea-laptop> > Content-Type: text/plain > > I believe we were discussing sexism. You seem to be discussing what a > good mechanic is. If you feel so passionately, why didn't you start a > new thread? You are either A) off-topic or B) sexist. > > Okay, you have "27 year experience." What makes you assume that you're > talking to a bunch of little girls? How old am I? It's obvious that a > good mechanic is thorough, fast, and organized. Everyone here > theoretically loves bicycles and strives daily for these ideals. Why > do > you think these little girls need you to tell them what a good > mechanic > is? I know I pranced into the industry on my dainty high heels and had > everything handed to me on a pink platter, but still. I thought a good > mechanic was one that didn't muss her makeup! You mean I have to > work as > hard as a man?! I'm outta here! > > What organization are you involved in? > > And please keep your discussion on this list. If you send any more > emails to my personal address I will post them here for you. > > > andrea > > > > > On Thu, 2009-10-29 at 21:09 -0400, bovineoaks(a)aol.com wrote: >> Why did you put the word "Female Mechanic" in the middle of my words. >> I meant all mechanics, not just xx are less organized, which makes >> them slower and less thorough. You are correct the is I am not >> automatically a better mechanic than women and men. I have 27 year >> experience that is what makes me more organized, efficient, >> faster, than most mechanics. I have taught classes for year and >> played >> mechanic speed games for many years too. The Games make you faster, >> putting your tools away every time you touch one makes you faster, As >> long as you wish to jump to conclusions that my word are against >> women >> only, you are showing that you are the sexist bastard you accuse >> others of being. I have worked hard for my skills and I in courage >> you >> to work just as hard to challenge your own skill to become better and >> better throughout your career. >> >> Christopher, >> >> Why are you assuming that you are more "efficient, thorough, and >> Fast" >> than a female mechanic? You are NOT automatically a better mechanic >> than >> a woman. My shop does not do drop-off repairs for customers, and I >> believe the situation in question involves trying to teach males. >> >> On the flip side, the bikes I build or restore are far more thorough >> than your own work that you are describing. I have had men tell me >> that >> this is because "I'm just better at cleaning and polishing". If I >> wield >> metal polish, wax, and the whole nine yards, it's a feminine virtue >> -- >> if a male does the same, it's simply good work. >> >> This is the essence of your male privilege -- believing that where >> you've gotten in life and everything you do is unaffected by any >> privilege. >> >> andrea >> >> >> >> On Thu, 2009-10-29 at 10:34 -0400, bovineoaks(a)aol.com wrote: >>> >>> A man needs his bike fixed. He will not say what's wrong >> with it, nor >> what he's >>> hearing or feeling. Only that it's broken. Fix it. He's >> doing this to >> challenge >>> me. No matter what I find, it's not the "broken" he's >> thinking of. No >> matter >>> what I fix, it isn't good enough. In an extreme case, he may >> lead me >> down the >>> wrong path (ie I find that his brakes are sub-par and fix >> those. Maybe >> he'll >>> even tell me that they're the only problem. But what >> originally caused >> him to >>> come in is a loose headset). If I miss something that breaks >> further, >> he will >>> blame not only me doing my job, but my gender. This >> reinforces his >> negative >>> stereotype of women in non-traditional roles. But is it my >> fault? No. >> He set me >>> up to fail by not telling me the problem. And he would do it >> to any >> woman >>> sharing my occupation. Again, an ideologue and the problem >> is neither >> me nor my >>> chest. It's him setting me up to be the problem. But word >> will get out >> that xx >>> shop has a bad mechanic just the same. >>> >>> If you Have an REI near by ask for all of the check off list they >>> have for Basic tunes, to Overhauls. I have found when I work from a >>> list and add to the list that I do not miss little details of a >>> repair. If every guy did this to you I would call it sexism. Sadly >> as >>> a guy in a bike shop I meet men like this all the time, We do not >> call >>> them sexist bastards, we just call them Dicks. Step back and look at >>> the issue, Was your work at fault, if so upgrade your technique. >> ( all >>> of us can learn more) Is the customer way too picky. Then he is a >>> dick, if he says that the work is bad because you are female then he >>> is a dick and a sexist bastard. Refer him to a really crapy >> mechanic. >>> I meet anal picky customers all the time. I am older, I do not take >>> guff form them. I tell them what they asked for, and what I gave >> them. >>> I always give more than they ask for. >>> >>> Example of what I do on a brake job: >>> >>> I clean every bike from head to tail, I clean each rim in the sink >>> with Dawn and a Scotch bright green sponge to remove metal oxide and >>> oil , I sand each brake pad to remove the metal oxide. I round, >>> dish, tension, and true the wheels. This is all the extra set up I >> do >>> to prepare brakes. Then I do all the normal brake pad alignment, >> and >>> toe. Check cables/ housing, caliper / lever mount bolts. Customers >>> never come back to me with squeeky brakes when I am done. Thus lots >> of >>> bad feelings are avoided and lots of rework is avoided. Sadly I >> never >>> hear any good coments from customers, But I do not hear negitive >> ones >>> either. >>> >>> I can do all this because I practice being efficent, thorough, and >>> Fast. As you become more experienced challenge yourself to do things >>> better with more detail and faster. Never compromise safety. The >>> safety of your hands or your customers life. >>> >>> Christopher >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Thethinktank mailing list >>> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >>> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >>> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >>> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > End of Thethinktank Digest, Vol 38, Issue 26 > ********************************************

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Digression from the non-male only projectsthread.
by winter.snowy.rose＠gmail.com 30 Oct '09

30 Oct '09

I think that this is very much a multi-faceted issue. So I will only present some of them. There can be an open-mindedness in adult men about tools that isn't always present in adult women. For instance, give a man a new tool and he (perhaps from tinkering with daddy as a child) will think that he knows what to do with it. In my experience this can result in broken tools, hurt bike parts, or hurt body parts. Give that same new tool to a woman. She may be intimidated by it, not knowing what it does or how it can hurt her. Having seen other people pick it up and seemingly having an innate knowledge about it (and maybe hurting something) makes the process of familiarization that much more challenging and time-consuming. She isn't likely to come back if she was scared or even uncomfortable. Perhaps because of this reputation for unfamiliarity, work done can be second-guessed. Personally, there is no response that I've found to resolve this issue. You'd be arguing with an ideologue. An extension of that is having female instruction second-guessed. That cannot be tolerated. It doesn't allow for the learner to learn. The final case of undermining that I've been exposed to (and, thankfully, not around bikes!) is men who refuse to tell me the information that I need to get a task done. A bike-related example, thankfully hypothetical: A man needs his bike fixed. He will not say what's wrong with it, nor what he's hearing or feeling. Only that it's broken. Fix it. He's doing this to challenge me. No matter what I find, it's not the "broken" he's thinking of. No matter what I fix, it isn't good enough. In an extreme case, he may lead me down the wrong path (ie I find that his brakes are sub-par and fix those. Maybe he'll even tell me that they're the only problem. But what originally caused him to come in is a loose headset). If I miss something that breaks further, he will blame not only me doing my job, but my gender. This reinforces his negative stereotype of women in non-traditional roles. But is it my fault? No. He set me up to fail by not telling me the problem. And he would do it to any woman sharing my occupation. Again, an ideologue and the problem is neither me nor my chest. It's him setting me up to be the problem. But word will get out that xx shop has a bad mechanic just the same. Our society has changed very dramatically in the past fifty years. It amazes me that attitudes have changed as much as they have. That's mere generations of parents passing down old societal predjudices. Of course we have more to do, hence these discussions. So I hope I have helped you with what you're looking for. Ride safe Chloé ------Original Message------ From: Angel York Sender: thethinktank-bounces(a)bikecollectives.org To: The Think Tank ReplyTo: The Think Tank Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Digression from the non-male only projectsthread. Sent: 29 Oct 2009 03:48 It seems to me that this discussion is sufficiently on-topic (that is, relates to community bike shops) to keep as a part of this listserv. I, for one, appreciate this conversation. Angel On Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 10:19 PM, Mark Rehder <mark(a)drumbent.com> wrote: What would be interesting is to find some cycling stats based on gender - how many women ride bikes compared to men? How many do so for commuting or casual riding, and also as a competitive sport (pro or amateur)? Here in Ottawa I would give a very rough estimate of a 3-1 ratio on the street. But that does not seem to translate into the industry. Of the shops around here, the ones that have women even just doing sales tend to the larger "sports" stores, and there's only one shop I'm aware of that actually had a woman wrench (McCrank's in the Glebe, where I used to work part-time). And it's a bike-only shop. Is it the old thing of women still not being socialized to do mechanical things? As I was growing up I thought feminism would finally help push all this gender-related crap aside, but we all know it has not. But how deep is the mind-set? I need to read up on my gender studies to see if little girls really do prefer dolls and little boys prefer trucks. What has been heartening is how many younger women are showing an interest in fixing their own bikes. We don't get too many women over 35 coming in, but lots in the 18-35 group. We've had a few with some experience say they'd like to be come a Head Mechanic, but unfortunately none have so far followed through. One of our current Shop Assistants did say last summer that she plans to become our first female HM, but then her new job seems to have kept her away from the shop, so we're no closer to even that modest goal. Women have told us they appreciate seeing other women in the shop, especially as staff, answering questions and selling bikes. While we are gender lopsided in terms of mechanics, we're at least doing better in terms of committed volunteer staff. But it is certainly not representati Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

12 15

Digression from the non-male only projects thread.
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 29 Oct '09

29 Oct '09

I didn't want to detract from that conversation, so I started a new one. I really am interested in people's feedback. On Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 9:40 PM, Mark Rehder <mark(a)re-cycles.ca> wrote: > While the tone of this makes it sound like there's some sort of conspiracy > (and maybe there is and no one told me about it), as a male I'd personally > be interested in what you come up with. > > I'll ditto what Mark said. I feel weird asking to be involved, but I am interested in how I--as a male bodied, male identifying person--can help make things more equitable in the spaces I occupy. Of course, the quick and dirty solution is to remove myself. I guess I should make myself ok with that. After some of the discussions I had in Minneapolis at bikebike this year about racial and gender inequality in our organizations, I've thought about what the implications are of me --again, a white male of upper middle class background-- assuming that the bike shop I'm involved with is something that people of other cultures and backgrounds would be interested in, and working towards making the space inclusive and welcoming. * Of course* I want everyone of every culture and economic and educational background, every oppressed class, gender, etc, to feel comfortable and welcome to partake and have access to the things I do. I just wonder if there isn't some sort of cultural bias that sort of goes the other way, and that makes this bikes-are-awesome thing less attractive to the (generalizing here for convenience) non-white, non-male elements of our community. At some point, it just comes down to someone who's not going to come into our shop just not being into bikes, or bike culture, or what we do, no matter what accommodations are made, right? I don't have a background or that much experience talking about this stuff, so I apologize if my word choice offends. I'm really interested in hearing people's thoughts on this. I really REALLY hope it doesn't come across as the white dude saying that other backgrounds/genders/etc aren't welcome. It's not that at all. > In my other life I'm a musician, and we generally have a history of > non-discrimination; you can be male / female / white / black / disabled / > whatever - we don't care as long as you can do the gig. > > Based on that, I've been kind of surprised that our shop has never been > able to recruit an experienced female mechanic. Women are of course > involved with our shop, both as staff and as customers, and I would say at > least half of our bike purchasers and a third of our do-it-yourselfers. > > I guess the lack is due to so few women mechanics in general. And is this > is a cultural thing (usual suspects of "women are less likely to be > mechanically inclined / do not want to get their hands dirty", etc.) or is > it deeper than that? Is there a bias? Is there gender discrimination? I > imagine that there is, though the idealist in me is appalled at that. > > If you can change the status quo I'm all for it! > > Mark > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Thanks for supporting Community Cycles, Boulder's first and only non-profit bike shop! Ask me how you can sponsor a Youth Earn-A-Bike student for just $100. www.communitycycles.org

3 2

5 year audit
by Liza Mattana 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

Hey everyone, We're a pretty new nonprofit org, just over 1 year. Are there older orgs out there that have done are or are preparing for a 5-year audit from the IRS to maintain their non-profit status? One of our members seems to think we need to do this in the future. I'm not sure what this means, as I can't find any info on this audit. Any info on this is appreciated--thanks! liza -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

2 1

volunteer flyers?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 27 Oct '09

27 Oct '09

Anyone care to share their flyers for getting folks to volunteer? Feel free to send them to me off the list, and I'll post them to the wiki for everyone to share, with an update here when i get them up. Thanks! josh.

1 0

Getting to Toronto Part I: Standard Passport Processing w/o a record
by MoBo Bicycle Co-op 27 Oct '09

27 Oct '09

Toronto is only what, nine or ten months away? That's pretty awesome. This means it's time to apply for your passport. Don't mess around with this as it's pretty freakin' expensive to expedite this stuff. I'll be sending out an email with "What to do if you have a record" in the next week or two, but there's hope, so don't despair. I'll also be putting out an email in conjunction with the Detroit folks before you leave for the conference about border crossing behavior standards, options, and such not. Please read all the way to the end of the email. In the meantime, go apply for a Passport, good for all international travel ($115) or Passport Card, good only for Canada, Mexico, the Carribean and Bermuda ($45). If you are planning on flying to Toronto you MUST get a Passport. A Passport Card will not be accepted for air travel. As of October 26, 2009, routine applications are being processed in 4-6 weeks. The waiting period may go up DRAMATICALLY, so don't wait. Take care of this now, okay team? Use this link to figure out where you can apply: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ 1. You need a Form DS-11. This is generally referred to as your “Passport application.” You may get a copy at the office you are applying in person at. Don't sign the form until you are instructed to do so by the person certifying your passport application. Follow this link to fill out a form online if you want to save some time (you must still print it out and bring it in to the passport agency office): http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html <http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html> 2. You need ONE of the following as a “primary evidence of U.S. Citizenship” *Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport *Certified birth certificate (no copies—it needs to have an embossed, raised, or impressed seal) *Consular report of birth abroad *Naturalization certificate *Certificate of citizenship 3. If you were born in the states and cannot present primary evidence, you may submit a COMBINATION of the following secondary documents (at least two need to be submitted, and early public records may not constitute the majority of your secondary documents) *Baptismal certificate/record of bris *Hospital birth certificate *Census record *Early school record *Family bible record *Doctor’s record of post-natal care. 4. Present one piece of photo identification in the form of: *Previously issued, undamaged Passport *Naturalization certificate *Valid driver’s license *Current city, state or federal ID *Current military ID 5. Your photo id must be copied on a plain, white, 8.5” x 11” standard paperstock (computer paper), showing the front and back of the ID. Your ID may be enlarged, but it may not be decreased. 6. You need two passport photos. These can be taken at most places with photo-processing, such as a pharmacy. These photos must be: *Identical *In color *2”x2” in size. *Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance *Full face, front view, with a plain white or off-white background *Between 1” and 1/38” from the bottom of the chin to the top of head *Taken in normal street attire. 7. The current total fee is $115 for a Passport, $45 for a Passport Card. 10. You need to apply in person if this is your first time applying. You may apply in person at an acceptance facility, passport agency, or consulate. Go to the post-office or county clerk. These are your easiest options. Use the link at the top of this email to find a location nearest you. Ok. So a current Passport is $115. That’s a lot of money. If you aren’t planning on going further than Canada or Mexico, then you have another option: the Passport Card. SCORE! It’s only $45! SCORE! You still have to apply in person and use the DS-11 form. There is a section on the DS-11 specifically for the Passport Card. Make sure you notify the person certifying your application that you want a Passport Card. If you have any further travel plans beyond Canada or Mexico and can afford it I would strongly suggest that you get a standard Passport. Don’t procrastinate on this. It’s just going to bite you in the butt in terms of money and stress. Don't hesitate to shoot an email to me if you have questions. If I can't answer them, I'll find out who can. Here are the State Department’s FAQs for your reading pleasure, by the way: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_1741.html <http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_1741.html> -- Katie Vogel MoBo Bicycle Co-op a project of The Village Green Foundation 1415 Knowlton Ave Northside Cincinnati, OH

2 1

winter biking workshop?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 26 Oct '09

26 Oct '09

Has anyone ever held a class on winter biking? We're thinking of offering one, and I'm interested in what other people have done. I've checked out icebike.org a little, and done a little internet research. I was about to list the topics we're thinking of covering, but I'm interested what other folks thoguht was important. What were some unexpected responses or questions or things that you hadn't prepared for? Thanks, everyone. josh.

5 4

League of American Bicyclists
by Jason Tanzman 26 Oct '09

26 Oct '09

I, too, was recently certified as a League Cycling Instructor with the League of American Bicyclists. I've found it useful - Sibley Bike Depot (St. Paul, MN) has done a lot of free bike maintenance classes, but we've only recently started thinking more about designing some bike commuting and safe cyclin classes. The League has some useful curriculum and resources - although it's a bit rigid in some of its stances. However it has also been useful in gaining our bike education programs "recognition" - having an LCI somehow grants our program legitimacy, which is kind of BS but it's useful for other people/organizations in the non-profit and government world to take us a bit more seriously. Jason Tanzman -- Sibley Bike Depot Volunteer Coordinator 612-232-2737 (cell) 651-222-2080 (shop) www.sibleybikedepot.org Sibley Bike Depot's mission is to be an open, accessible space to educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities!

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums
by arik grier 26 Oct '09

26 Oct '09

Hi Erik and others, We have a mechanics lesson plan manual for download at Bikes Not Bombs - hopefully that could be useful to you. Maybe something in the Recycle-A-Bicycle NYC manuals would be useful too. Those are all linked from here: http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/node/454 -Arik On Oct 25, 2009, at 4:06 PM, thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org wrote: From: Clifford McCarten <director(a)communitybikeshop.org> Date: October 24, 2009 4:19:30 PM EDT To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Basic safety/maintenance manuals/ curriculums (Erik Stockmeier) Reply-To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> I don't know what everyone's stance on the League of American Bicyclists is, but they do have some pretty decent curriculum for teaching basics: http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/index.php I was recently certified in their instructor training course, and they have OODLES of pretty high material (small books, full-colour magaziney things etc) for teaching. I suppose that's what happens when you've been funded for over a century...here's hoping... In any case, their stuff is at least a good starting point to develop your own curriculum and materials, in whatever political framework suits ya! Cheers, Clifford McCarten Co-Director, B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 400 Wolfe St, Peterborough ON K9J 2P3 (705) 748-6681 http://www.communitybikeshop.org On 24-Oct-09, at 4:10 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.org > > 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. Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums (Erik Stockmeier) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:51:09 -0500 > From: Erik Stockmeier <eriks(a)therecyclery.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums > Message-ID: > <129f365e0910231551q6b051d2fw6ed339e0f7e29650(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi all- > > Like many shops, The Recyclery has given away free bicycles with > helmets and > locks as part of the charitable end of our mission for some time. > For a > number of reasons, including several new possible partnerships with > Immigrant and Refugee groups in the Chicago area and the desire to > qualitatively improve some of the long-term outcomes of our > Freecyclery > program (which currently ends with the bicycle/signature exchange), > we are > now considering developing a more thorough manual and 2-4 hour class > curriculum. It would cover basic maintenance questions (patching > tires, > adjusting brakes and derailleurs) as well as bike safety/common sense > (avoiding theft, sharing the road) and would, of course, make clear > that The > Recyclery exists as a place where they can get help if something > does go > wrong. > > However, not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I'm wondering if any > other shops > have already developed a similar curriculum or handbook. If so, > want to > share? > > If not (but you are interested in the idea), would you be > interested in > forming an internet working group to collaborate on such a resource > we could > share? Right now I am working with one of our potential partners > and we are > picturing a graphically-intense book, the text of which could > potentially be > translated by people that work for their organization into a number of > different languages. From there we would recruit some volunteer > graphic > designers or find someone that knows how to work something like > scribus ( > http://www.scribus.net/) to make a nice little booklet (I'm picturing > something that could be reproduced photocopier/zine style or done > up more > flashy) available to all. > > OK. >

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums (Erik Stockmeier)
by Clifford McCarten 24 Oct '09

24 Oct '09

I don't know what everyone's stance on the League of American Bicyclists is, but they do have some pretty decent curriculum for teaching basics: http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/index.php I was recently certified in their instructor training course, and they have OODLES of pretty high material (small books, full-colour magaziney things etc) for teaching. I suppose that's what happens when you've been funded for over a century...here's hoping... In any case, their stuff is at least a good starting point to develop your own curriculum and materials, in whatever political framework suits ya! Cheers, Clifford McCarten Co-Director, B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 400 Wolfe St, Peterborough ON K9J 2P3 (705) 748-6681 http://www.communitybikeshop.org On 24-Oct-09, at 4:10 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. Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums (Erik Stockmeier) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:51:09 -0500 > From: Erik Stockmeier <eriks(a)therecyclery.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Basic safety/maintenance manuals/curriculums > Message-ID: > <129f365e0910231551q6b051d2fw6ed339e0f7e29650(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi all- > > Like many shops, The Recyclery has given away free bicycles with > helmets and > locks as part of the charitable end of our mission for some time. > For a > number of reasons, including several new possible partnerships with > Immigrant and Refugee groups in the Chicago area and the desire to > qualitatively improve some of the long-term outcomes of our > Freecyclery > program (which currently ends with the bicycle/signature exchange), > we are > now considering developing a more thorough manual and 2-4 hour class > curriculum. It would cover basic maintenance questions (patching > tires, > adjusting brakes and derailleurs) as well as bike safety/common sense > (avoiding theft, sharing the road) and would, of course, make clear > that The > Recyclery exists as a place where they can get help if something > does go > wrong. > > However, not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I'm wondering if any > other shops > have already developed a similar curriculum or handbook. If so, > want to > share? > > If not (but you are interested in the idea), would you be > interested in > forming an internet working group to collaborate on such a resource > we could > share? Right now I am working with one of our potential partners > and we are > picturing a graphically-intense book, the text of which could > potentially be > translated by people that work for their organization into a number of > different languages. From there we would recruit some volunteer > graphic > designers or find someone that knows how to work something like > scribus ( > http://www.scribus.net/) to make a nice little booklet (I'm picturing > something that could be reproduced photocopier/zine style or done up > more > flashy) available to all. > > OK. >

1 0

Plan B New Orleans added you as a friend on Facebook...
by Facebook 24 Oct '09

24 Oct '09

Hi Steve, Plan B New Orleans added you as a friend on Facebook. We need to confirm that you know Plan B in order for you to be friends on Facebook. Thanks, The Facebook Team To confirm this friend request, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?reqs.php&mid=14d4bceG56058d43Gf45b56G2 ======================================= This message was intended for thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org. Want to control which emails you receive from Facebook? Go to: http://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php?notifications=1&mid=14d4bceG56058d4… Facebook's offices are located at 1601 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304.

1 0

Today's Bike Talk-LA's Bicycle Plan, Corba's Fat Tire Fest
by bike talk 24 Oct '09

24 Oct '09

Today, on Bike Talk: Bicycle Plan workshop Glenn Bailey, Chair of the Bicycle Advisory Committee of the City of Los Angeles, calls in from the Bicycle Plan Workshop to letus know what's being said and done about the city's plan. See how the last workshop went, here: http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/10/13/bike-working-group-gives-cyclists-a-ch… Fat Tire Fest The largest mountain biking festival in the LA area. The Fat Tire Fest supports CORBA (Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association)'s community programs and advocacy. Jeff Klinger and Stephen Messer report from Castaic Lake. http://corbamtb.com <http://corbamtb.com/> http://corbamtb.com/FTF/2009/index.html & u as always, call in, don't be a stranger. killradio studio's number is below. -- please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us Follow us at bike_talk_kpfk on twitter.com

1 0

NEW TO NYC- WANT TO MEET THE CO OPS AND PEOPLE ROLLING ROUND TOWN.
by Kim Jensen 21 Oct '09

21 Oct '09

Hello there! My Name is Kim Jensen and I come from the Bicycle Kitchen LA, met many people from the East Coast at Pittsburgh Bike Bike and was hoping to link up with you here to join in the fun and works at the bike collectives and such..... Sorry to use this list for personal reasons, but then again isn't bikes and co ops as personal as it gets. Hope to meet you! Thanks! Kim -- 좋은 소원 김

2 1

10/17/09 Bike Talk
by bike talk 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Hi! Another Saturday, another show...this time we're bringing you: LA Bike Planwith bikivists Stephen and Enci Box The Bike Writers Collective convenes LA Bike Working Group this Saturday at 1 pm to develop a REAL Bike Plan for Los Angeles, one with a vision, one with real imperative language and one with teeth. meeting at Hollywood Adventist Church 1711 N. Van Ness Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028see: http://LABikePlan.com Ryan Bowen Who finds his stolen bike (call-in) USC-Ron Milam At USC, Ron Milam, LA County Bicycle Coalition founder, teaches about the movement towards alternative transportation in Los Angeles. please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us Follow us at bike_talk_kpfk on twitter.com

1 0

Bike Talk 10/10/09
by bike talk 10 Oct '09

10 Oct '09

Today: Bicycle Subsidy Voucher providers Accor Services' Director of Marketing Jeremy Doak discusses the program by which bicycle commuters can get $20/ month from employers, tax free. See: http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=817&I… and a discussion: http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-492137.html Laura Flanagan A member of the L.A. Greensters, a bicycle alternative to fossil fuel based movie crews, hangs out this morning. http://lagreensters.com/ Another Bicycle House Move Boulder, Co. residents moved a house's contents on bicycles. A conference call with participants Dan, Jeff, and Jon. see article: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_13485534 Call in! share your thoughts. -- please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us Follow us at bike_talk_kpfk on twitter.com

1 0

One more question and Re: A History of Volunteer Bike Shops
by Alex Rosenblatt 08 Oct '09

08 Oct '09

Thanks to everyone who responded to my original post, I'll be getting in touch in the next few weeks. I have a quick question for the board as I begin to compile a time line: Is anyone aware of which shops would be considered among the first community bicycle organizations in the US? My hunch is Bikes Not Bombs? (1988-89ish) RIBS, in Ithaca, was started in 1991. What about yours? Thanks for the support, Alex On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 3:21 PM, Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com>wrote: > Hello All, > > For the past few years, I've been an Assistant Coordinator at a volunteer > bike shop in Ithaca, NY called Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles (RIBS). RIBS has > been around in some form or another since early 1991. Mired in > organizational difficulties, I (and most of the others involved) have since > moved on and are starting a new bicycle project in the area. > > In my other life, I am a student finishing up my degree. I am currently > beginning to work on compiling a history of volunteer bike shops as they fit > in (or don't) with the various bicycle movements. I am hoping that this > will be a substantial document released in a published form and also an > online form where it could be continuously updated.. As I've begun to read > various histories of cycling, I've found that there is little to mention of > the VBS movement. I have yet to read Bike Cult, however. This seems > ridiculous as we are and can be a crucial facet of the cycling community. My > hopes are that a history could be used as a platform to increase VBS > visibility and popularity by establishing a cohesive narrative. > > I have a few requests: > > I'm looking to talk to anyone and everyone about any facet of the volunteer > bike shop movement specifically the history of shops and how they interact > with the community. Whether, via phone or email, or if possible, in > person, it would a great help. Clearly, this isn't a project I can do via > the internet and academic journals. > > If you know anyone who was involved in your shop in the early days, that > would be a great contact as well. > > Also, if your organization has done its own organizational history (as has > mine - we still have the same problems as 20 years ago!) that would be > welcome as well. > > > While I have not found any indication of this, I'd imagine a project like > this has been done before, if anyone is aware of something similiar, please > let me know. > > > > Sincerely, > > Alex Rosenblatt > Phone: nine-seven-three-nine-four-three-eight-eight-zero-three > > > > >

7 7

Fix bikes in Africa
by MoBo Bicycle Co-op 07 Oct '09

07 Oct '09

FIX BIKES IN AFRICA The organizers of Tour d'Afrique, an annual expedition ride/race going 7,400 miles from Cairo, Egypt, to Cape Town, South Africa, are searching for a good mechanic to support next year's ride. While preventative bike maintenance and cleaning are up to the individual riders, the mechanic will be responsible for fixing participants' bicycles, from simple tune-ups to more complex repairs. The fleet of bikes involved will represent a wide range of countries of origin--so, according to the job announcement, "compatibility with parts and tools will require improvisation and resourcefulness." The 2010 ride takes place from January 16 through May 15. Click on the following link to find out more about the mechanic position and other jobs available with Tour d'Afrique: http://www.tourdafrique.com/company/jobs

1 0

BikeBike Northeast in April - spread the word.....
by andrew lynn 05 Oct '09

05 Oct '09

hi everyone.... Announcing the first BikeBike NE in Troy, NY A regional gathering of bicycle projects in the Northeast US. April 24 & 25, 2010 at the Sanctuary for Independent Media Organized and hosted by Troy Bike Rescue What is BikeBike? BikeBike is an annual international gathering of community bicycle projects. It has happened in cities such as New Orleans, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Milwaukee. This coming years conference will be in Toronto in the summer of 2010. Regional events, such as BikeBike Southeast have been held in Atlanta and Louisville (upcoming). more info at: http://www.bikebike.org What will happen at BikeBike Northeast? Workshops & discussions for fledgling and experienced shops, a mini film festival, mutant bike welding, trailer building, exploring urban ruins on bike, pick-up polo matches, and whatever else you want to make happen! Who will come to BikeBike Northeast? In addition to the local public, we hope to attract participants from community bike projects as near and as far as: Delaware, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New Haven, Ithaca, Montpelier, Plattsburgh, Burlington, New Hampshire, Boston, State College PA, Providence, Worcester, NYC, and more... Are you on this list? We hope you can make it!! We have received modest interest from various groups, but will need plenty of help getting the word out there. If you hear of people in the Northeast wanting to start ups community shops or simply interested in joining a conversation about building bicycle culture in post-industrial expanses of this corner of the world, please tell them about BikeBike Northeast (and BikeBike International- to be held in Toronto in Summer 2010). CONTACT US VIA OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION http://www.troybikerescue.org/contact http://troybikerescue.org http://mediasanctuary.org

1 0

A History of Volunteer Bike Shops
by Alex Rosenblatt 02 Oct '09

02 Oct '09

Hello All, For the past few years, I've been an Assistant Coordinator at a volunteer bike shop in Ithaca, NY called Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles (RIBS). RIBS has been around in some form or another since early 1991. Mired in organizational difficulties, I (and most of the others involved) have since moved on and are starting a new bicycle project in the area. In my other life, I am a student finishing up my degree. I am currently beginning to work on compiling a history of volunteer bike shops as they fit in (or don't) with the various bicycle movements. I am hoping that this will be a substantial document released in a published form and also an online form where it could be continuously updated.. As I've begun to read various histories of cycling, I've found that there is little to mention of the VBS movement. I have yet to read Bike Cult, however. This seems ridiculous as we are and can be a crucial facet of the cycling community. My hopes are that a history could be used as a platform to increase VBS visibility and popularity by establishing a cohesive narrative. I have a few requests: I'm looking to talk to anyone and everyone about any facet of the volunteer bike shop movement specifically the history of shops and how they interact with the community. Whether, via phone or email, or if possible, in person, it would a great help. Clearly, this isn't a project I can do via the internet and academic journals. If you know anyone who was involved in your shop in the early days, that would be a great contact as well. Also, if your organization has done its own organizational history (as has mine - we still have the same problems as 20 years ago!) that would be welcome as well. While I have not found any indication of this, I'd imagine a project like this has been done before, if anyone is aware of something similiar, please let me know. Sincerely, Alex Rosenblatt Phone: nine-seven-three-nine-four-three-eight-eight-zero-three

3 2

Used Parts: sold or given away with request
by The Recyclery 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Hi all, A financial question: When dealing with used parts, does your collective sell them like new parts and collect sales tax? Or do you give away used parts and suggest a donation for them? Or do you only use other options like work-trade? This eventually has implications to filling out the IRS 990: is the income a "contribution" or included in "sales of inventory"? Jesse -- The Recyclery Collective 7628 N Paulina Chicago, IL 60626 P: 773.262.5900 F:773.751.5241 www.therecyclery.org

2 1

fiscal sponsorship
by allison karow 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

hi folks, is anyone a fiscal sponsor for another bike project? if so, what forms did you and your umbrella'ed folks have to fill out? and what responsibilities (ie taxes, liability) do you share legally? any info is appreciated! thanks allison bike saviours bicycle collective tempe, az

4 3

non-profits! board of directors, bylaws or charter
by Blackbird Bicycle Co-op 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

Hello, Seeking recommendations for creating the Board of Directors and non-profit bylaws. We are putting together a community meeting, with interested parties, in two weeks and beginning the independent non-profit status (currently we've been affiliated with a local non-profit but now we want to use our wings and fly) Do you have an example of bylaws that you would share? I would like to bring several examples of bylaws to the meeting as a basis for our new document. Gracias Kirsten

3 2

admin of the bike collective wiki
by Ted Striker 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

Can you block/ban Boston Vegan Boy I think it's spam Boson Au to Think show details 8:57 AM (15 minutes ago) can you block/ban user "Massage"? dude's a spammer.... _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

2 1

admin of the bike collective wiki
by Boson Au 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

can you block/ban user "Massage"? dude's a spammer....

1 0

admin of the bike collective wiki
by Boson Au 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

can you block/ban user "Massage"? dude's a spammer....

1 0

weird auction mentioned at bikebike, cumulative bidding?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 21 Sep '09

21 Sep '09

I don't remember who it was who brought this us, but it was during the grantwriting workshop in the rehearsal room that I think the folks from Fargo put on. At some point, someone got up and explained a rather interesting take on auctioning off something. They suggested using a crappy department store/trashed bike that's headed for the scrap heap anyway. When you have the group of people bidding, they put their bids into the hat as they make them. Ie, the first person bids $5, and puts $5 into the hat. The next person bids $10, and puts $10 in the hat. The third person bids $15, and puts it in the hat. At the end of the auction, the hat now has $30 in it. The last person winds, but the early/low bidders don't keep their money. Does anyone remember who it was who offered this suggestion, or is anyone familiar with it? I'm intrigued, and didn't get a chance to follow up with the guy who brought it up. Thanks! josh.

2 2

Cycles Apc invited you to the event "Free Third Anniversary and Benefit for Cycles of Change APC"...
by Facebook 20 Sep '09

20 Sep '09

Cycles invited you to "Free Third Anniversary and Benefit for Cycles of Change APC" on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00pm. Event: Free Third Anniversary and Benefit for Cycles of Change APC Start Time: Sunday, September 27 at 1:00pm End Time: Sunday, September 27 at 4:00pm Where: 650 W. Ranger Ave, Alameda, Ca 94501 To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=277076415205&mid=11fd24bG56058d43G… Thanks, The Facebook Team ___ This message was intended for thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org. Want to control which emails you receive from Facebook? Go to: http://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php?notifications=1&mid=11fd24bG56058d4… Facebook's offices are located at 1601 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304.

1 0

Anyone have an internship position?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 19 Sep '09

19 Sep '09

Feel like answering some questions off list? We've been presented the possibility of hiring an intern at no cost to us, aside from coming up with the position. I'd be interested to hear from someone who's set up a similar position from scratch, and what hurdles/successes you found, or can steer us around/towards. Thanks! josh.

4 3

What benefits do you offer your members?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 16 Sep '09

16 Sep '09

Hey Everyone. We're doing a big membership push this winter--we just mailed out about 450 membership renewal letters today--and we're looking at what benefits we offer to members. To be clear, our standard membership is the only one someone could do work-trade for. All of the others are cash based. We're open to the idea of someone working more hours to gain better benefits, but haven't seen that much interest in it from our community, and so haven't come up with a structure for it. Here's what we're thinking about offering: $20 - low income membership. same benefits as the standard membership. $35 or EAB student or paying Mech's class student - basic/standard membership. - Use of bike tools whenever the shop is open, access to experienced mechanics and our library of bike repair books to work on your own bike. - Access to the same during "Members only" time/days. - (Dalyn suggested that the phrase "access to the shop" was too vague, and someone like a lot of our members who don't know what a shop includes wouldn't know that it also includes access to exp'ed mechs.) - Membership in Bike To Shop, once that's up and running. - 3 Free 36-hour bike trailer rental per year $100 membership "Century membership" - Same benefits as standard membership, plus: - Members only Preview day for Major bike sales. - Discount on one paid mechanics class per year. - Unlimited Free 36-hour bike trailer rentals per year. $500 membership "Golden Membership" - Same benefits as EAB Sponsor, plus: - Free tuneup on your birthday. - Free access to one paid mechanics class per year. $1000 membership - "Lifetime Membership" Same benefits as Golden Membership for life, plus: We don't have any Lifetime Memberships just yet, but we're hoping to soon....Perhaps with the right benefits package? I'm interested in hearing what other groups are offering to members. What have you had success or failure with. Anyone have any feedback on our plan? Thanks. Hope you're all doing well. josh.

2 1

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance?
by Boson Au 13 Sep '09

13 Sep '09

Hi all, we're in the process renewing our regular liability insurance and came across the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. To be on the safe side, we decided to purchase that for now, but we're in the midst of deciding if we need it. in my brief understanding; I'm not part of the committee that determines our insurance policy, it seems to be liability for the directors/officers, ie our decision making body aka collective, which is seperate from general liability. this insurance would cover "us" ie if someone wants to sue me due to my actions in the project, rather than the 'project'. I might have this wrong, I'm not sure. so basically, the question posed by members of the collective was, "do other bike projects do this?" so hence this fragmented email. so, if anyone else ran across this I'd love to know how you handled it and why. If you wanna answer in private, that's cool.. if not, post it? thanks in advance. -Boson Au Velocipede Bike Project Baltimore, MD velocipedebikeproject.org

2 1

experienced bike mechanics as volunteers - issues.
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

Josh here, also from Community Cycles. Sort of in addition to Rich's email, but expanding on it a bit, and bringing in some other cans of worms... We have 3 paid staff members, and the rest are volunteers, or get paid as contractors for teaching one class at a time. I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking about bikebike, and have come to what looks to be some hard decisions. I was brought on as the latest paid staff person, as the "Development Director". Essentially, I'm responsible for 3 things, listed in order of their importance. 1. Membership tracking, coordinating, and communication. 2. Grantwriting and fundraising events, etc. 3. Volunteer Coordination. I'm realizing the more I read about horizontal power structures and consensus based org's that while our issue of volunteers not wanting or able to commit to anything other than dropping by when it suits them could just be that we have a bunch of flaky volunteers, I'm slowly coming to the realization that our model of paid staff and unpaid volunteer staff is flawed. I've started and come super close to sending an email to this list several times asking how we can get more out of our volunteers. I realize the inherent issues of our paid staff requesting more of volunteers. There's all kinds of issues here, but it's the model we're in, and I'm not sure how to address it in a positive, productive way. (Of course, job security for myself and two other people also comes into play, for if we get rid of the paid staff positions, then we've put 3 hard working people out of work.) I'm almost done reading "The Revolution Will Not Be Funded", and would LOVE to continue the discussion we starte at bikebike! online, once some more people have had a chance to read it. (To those of you who asked at bikebike about whether there's any resolution at the end of the book to address whether there's any ways to pay for revolutionary social change org's without funding from foundations, there is. Not some silver bullet magic answer, but they do address the question somewhat.) I'm interested to hear from other org's that have one or more paid staff members how that structure plays out in the dynamics of your staff, volunteer or paid. Do tensions arise? How do you address them? For those of you at the shops with no paid staff, when I bring up that model to friends outside of radical activist circles, the response is often "yeah, but if they're all volunteer run, don't they have jobs aside from the bike shop work? wouldn't having a paid staff person working full time on things allow the org to do more work?" this seems like a logical response. If I personally wasn't working full time at Community Cycles, I would be working full time somewhere else. Two things come to mind. 1. I wouldn't be as happy as I am doing the work for the organization I work for. 2. I wouldn't have as much or any time to devote to Community Cycles as a volunteer. Am I missing something? I'm not looking for a critique of capitalism. Is the major reason why a lot of shops don't have paid staff because of the weird power dynamics it brings? Thanks for taking the time to read this ranting. I hope something fruitful comes of it. Also, if you're still reading this, feel free to call me an idiot. josh. On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 12:17 PM, Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE < urbanbikeproject(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Cool Rich thanks....here is our volunteer structure: > > *Types of Volunteers and Volunteer Structure at UBP* > updated 8/3/09 > > *Drop-In or Unscheduled Volunteers* > -Limited to sorting parts, patching tubes, organizational tasks. > -May be turned away if the shop is too crowded. > > *Scheduled Volunteers > *-Sign up in advance for full shifts in one of the following roles: > -*Greeter* signs people into the shop, answers basic customer questions, > answers phone > -*Parts/Back Room* assists mechanics and customers with finding parts in > the back room, organizes and keeps the back room neat. > -*Sales* assists customers who are looking to purchase a bicycle. > -*Mechanic*(s) assist adult customers who are repairing bicycles. > -*Youth Mechanic*(s) assist youth who are repairing bicycles. > -*Head Mechanic* overseas all activities in the shop and assists Mechanics > with difficult repairs. > > *Core Volunteers* > -Scheduled volunteers who complete 3-4 full shifts per month and 2 tasks > from the Core Volunteer Task Sheet. > -May keep a project bicycle in the shop longer than the standard 2-week > period. > -May attend Core Volunteers only shop time and Core Volunteer meetings. > -Receive discount when ordering parts from J&B Importers catalog > > And this is our experimental Volunteer "Ladder" for moving people up the > chain as it were. The idea being, unskilled volunteers can work up as > slowly or quickly as they want (most greeters end up quickly learning tube > patching during shop time and also basic wheel truing since the truing > station is directly behind the greeter). Same for "skilled but new to the > shop" volunteers. If they really want to work as a mechanic they can see > right in front of them what needs to be done first. > > *Skills Checklist* (head mechanic/volunteer coordinator to sign off on > each requirement) > > *Requirements for Greeter:* > -Attended Volunteer Orientation? Date:______ > > *Additional Requirements for Parts Sorting/Salesperson:* > > -Basic identification of parts > -Pedal removal/installation, Stem/Seat adjustment, Tire Pumping > -Basic Bicycle Sizing Knowledge > > *Additional Requirements for Youth Tire Pumper/Patcher:* > -Wheel Removal/Installation (coaster, freewheel, derailer) > -Tire Removal/Installation, Tube Patching > -"How to work with youth" Basic Training? Date:______ > -3 *full* shifts at other position (date and position): 1)________ > 2)________ 3)_______ > > *Additional Requirements for Mechanic:* > -Attend/Pass Advanced Mechanics Class or Test? Date:_____ > > *Additional Requirements for Youth Mechanic:* > -3 *full* shifts as Mechanic (date): 1)________ > 2)________ 3)_______ > -1 *full* shift as Youth Tire Pumper/Patcher: Date:_____ > * > Additional Requirements for Head Mechanic:* > -3 *full* shifts as Youth Mechanic (date): 1)________ > 2)________ 3)_______ > -1 *full* shift shadowing Head Mechanic (date): Date:______ > -Approval from Collective of Core-Volunteers: Date:______ > > > It's just been hard to convince people with tons of experience that they*really do > * need to (and are required to) be greeter or parts sorter for at least 3 > shifts before they can even think about working with customers. > > Please share thoughts and ideas! > > Brian > > Urban Bike Project of Wilmington > -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- > 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) > Wilmington, DE 19802 > > Hours: > Thursday 6:30-9:00 > Saturday 1:00-4:00 > > Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org > > > On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 11:28 AM, R Points <poster(a)richpoints.com> wrote: > >> Hey Brian, >> Yeah we have similar issues at Community Cycles. We have a dozen or so >> core volunteers who show up each week for a three hour shift, we call the >> facilitators. Most of these folks have worked in bike shops or are advanced >> shade tree mechanics. By and large most of our facilitators are limited >> when it comes to people skills. In addition, even though these facilitators >> show up on a regular basis it's been almost impossible to schedule them for >> a shift. And a lot of times facilitators show up and don't even work on >> bikes they just hang out. We do have a monthly facilitator meeting which >> has been sparsely attended at best. >> >> Currently we don't have a mechanism for interested volunteers to become >> facilitators or high level volunteers. The result is our facilitator pool >> has become old, stagnant and untrained. To address this we've been working >> on developing a facilitator training process. >> >> The training process, still in it's first draft, is broken into four >> training sessions. The trainings are focused on admin/greeter, daily shop >> ops, mechanics and community outreach. Once you've gone through the >> training you'll be qualified to schedule a three/four hour facilitator shift >> each week at the shop or work on a special project/event. >> >> As you mentioned a lot of enthusiastic volunteers are not particularly >> mechanically inclined. One perk we've talked about is if a new facilitator >> commits to 6 months of shifts they can take our Bike Mechanics 101 class for >> free http://communitycycles.org/programs/classes.html >> >> We'll be launching this new training program at our next facilitator >> meeting at the end of this month. Wish us luck. >> >> Ride On! >> Rich >> >> >> *CC Facili(Tator) Training Manual* >> To become a facilitator or high level volunteer at Community Cycles, you >> need to go through a series of simple trainings. Once you've gone through >> them, you're qualified to represent Community Cycles at events outside of >> the shop. Facilitators gain privilege to order from our wholesalers at 10% >> over cost. >> >> *Criteria* >> >> 1. To be a facilitator you must have completed the training and commit >> to one shift per week for a minimum of a three month period. If you are >> unable to make your shift it is your responsibility to have it covered by >> another facilitator. If you cannot cover your shift please let staff know >> asap that you will not be able to attend. >> 2. Attend a mandatory monthly facilitator meeting at the shop. >> Usually the third Tuesday of each month. >> >> * >> Trainings* >> You'll need to schedule to complete four trainings during open shop >> hours. Each training session is 3 - 4 hours. You must complete the >> trainings within two months of your start date. >> >> >> 1. * Greeter* >> The greeter is one of the most important roles in the shop. >> Functioning as greeter is a quick way for you to get oriented to Community >> Cycles and what we do. We've put together an awesome Greeter manual that >> will help you answer the most common questions we hear in the shop each >> day. >> >> 2. * Kids Bikes and New Donation processing* >> - Strip bikes for parts as needed >> - Check - Frame and wheels for cracks, dings and bends >> - Fix Tubes - patch tubes and replace as needed >> - Replace - Rotten tires, seats, grips, frayed cables and rotten >> cable housing >> - Remove - light and lock hardware, seized rusty chains... >> - Clean - Drive train, wheels and hubs, frame, handle bars... >> - Install - Missing reflectors, valve caps >> - Flatten Bikes >> - Sort parts >> >> 3. * Shadow Facilitator* >> Shadow a certified tater for a shift helping EABers in progress, tune >> ups or sale bikes. Shadow taters will do one tater chore; i.e. clean >> bathroom, take out trash, sweep... After this shift you will be "qualified" >> to help EABers and work on in shop tune ups. >> >> 4. * Grab Bag - Would be taters can choose from any of these >> activities.* >> >> Repeat any of the first three trainings >> Greeter Trainer >> Finisher/Sales >> Community tabling event >> Street team >> UCAR >> CHaRM >> Farmers Market >> North Storage staff assistant >> Tune Ups >> RBC >> Special event >> >> *Super Facilitator* >> Volunteers who demonstrate mastery of bike mechanics and/or volunteer >> beyond one shift per week. Super facilitators gain access to the key code >> on a case by case basis. >> >> - Complete the six week bike mechanics course or other bicycle >> mechanics training course. >> - Demonstrate bicycle mechanic mastery >> - Complete a bike safety instruction course >> - Demonstrate bicycle safety and be capable of teaching a short bike >> safety seminar >> - Volunteer for 2 or more shifts per week >> - Be active on a sub committee of the CC board of directors >> - Work on a special event or campaign. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE wrote: >> >> Hi All, >> >> Since we opened shop I've observed that our best volunteers are those that >> hardly know anything about the mechanical side of bikes but have enthusiasm >> and a desire to learn. They end up being the most patient with customers >> and eventually the best teachers/passers on of bike knowledge. On the flip >> side are experienced bike mechanics. Most, but not all, are pushy, >> completely disregard our "hands off the tools philosophy" and don't >> understand when we ask them to "please attend volunteer orientation" if you >> would like to volunteer as a mechanic here ("but i'm already a mechanic!"). >> >> Recently a bike mechanic of thirty years came in because he heard about us >> and wanted to observe what went on. To make a long story short, he did >> everything BUT observe and I had to ask/tell/almost yell at him several >> times to let people in the shop "do it themselves". The last time I told >> him to "let him do it himself" he responded with "but i have so much >> knowledge to share!", to which I replied "here we let people get that >> knowledge themselves and don't watch over them constantly or take tools out >> of their hands", which he didn't seem to understand ("what if they make a >> mistake and something breaks?!"). To lighten the mood (they'll probably >> laugh, or cry...), bring a hammer out and explain that this is your "rim >> straightener" or "frame alignment tool". >> >> My questions to the other collectives out there: >> >> 1.) Do you have a similar issue? or is it just us, haha >> 2.) How have you gotten experienced mechanics (like the above example) to >> "buy-in" to your system if at first they resisted? >> >> Brian >> >> Urban Bike Project of Wilmington >> -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- >> 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) >> Wilmington, DE 19802 >> >> Hours: >> Thursday 6:30-9:00 >> Saturday 1:00-4:00 >> >> Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing listThethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit:http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollec… >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > -- Thanks for supporting Community Cycles, Boulder's first and only non-profit bike shop! Ask me how you can sponsor a Youth Earn-A-Bike student for just $100. www.communitycycles.org

4 4

Community Partners Bike Library
by Jason Tanzman 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

Hey everybody, I just wanted to send an email and let folks know about an exciting project that Sibley Bike Depot (St. Paul, MN) is beginning. Sibley received funding in full on Tuesday for a $200,000 program to run a Community Partners Bike Library! The funds were approved by Transit for Livable Communities, a not-for-profit transit advocacy group in charge of allocating a $21 million federal Non-motorized Transit Pilot program in the Twin Cities. This funding will allow Sibley to build up a fleet of 200 bicycles – outfitted for transportation purposes with a rack, fenders, lights, lock, and helmet – to lend out to community members for up to six months. The bike lending will be coordinated through Community Partners – other agencies, such as affordable housing organizations, job placement centers, homeless shelters, and more – who will help identify patrons who will benefit from reliable transportation. Through this program, Sibley hopes to increase the availability of bicycles within working class and poor communities, thus helping to increase access to bicycles and diversify the bicycling movement in the Twin Cities! I am interested to hear any thoughts/feedback/suggestions from anyone who has 1) coordinated a bike library program; or, 2) handled large federal or other government grants (rumored to be a tremendous pain in the ass). Jason Tanzman -- Sibley Bike Depot Volunteer Coordinator 612-232-2737 (cell) 651-222-2080 (shop) www.sibleybikedepot.org Sibley Bike Depot's mission is to be an open, accessible space to educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities!

4 3

this list
by Macho Philipovich 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

anyone else concerned that the volume of emails has gone way up and the signal-to-noise ratio is way down over the past week or so? in the early days, i understand things were kept fairly open to encourage discussion. that doesn't seem to be a concern anymore, so maybe the list could benefit from some guidelines (rather than 'rules')? it would be nice to avoid flaming, "me too" responses, responses to the whole list that should have gone to an individual, "remove me plz" posts, way off-topic discussion, etc. it hasn't reached a critical point yet, but the problems seem to be similar to ones in the early days of the internet & usenet, so maybe we could borrow a solution from them: a FAQ sent out to new subscribers, and periodically over the list. other thoughts? macho

2 1

biking dog capitalist pig bikes
by an undercover cop 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

hey ross, i'm going assume that your final question was in earnest. i'm also going to assume you know full well the answer is "none." (unless someone out there is somehow working on circle a's and bike systems strike bikes in their bike project.) the world we live in is capitalist, therefore bikes are made by capitalists, therefore the bikes we have available to work on are bikes made by capitalists. so, in all seriousness: what difference does it make? -ben > Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:22:06 -0400 > From: "Recycle Bicycle of Harrisburg, Pa" <recyclebicycle(a)verizon.net> > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] experienced bike mechanics as volunteers - > issues. > Message-ID: <7CE02DFB260B456181784E9EB9DF3436@VALUED9133F4FA> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Ross from Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg, Pa > > Reference below whether there's any ways to pay for revolutionary social change org's without funding from foundations, there is. Not some silver bullet magic answer, > > Most of our core volunteers are retired and are being paid by that capitalistic system that seems to get bashed on this forum. > I am awed when I see these gray/no hair guys/gals kneeling down and teaching inter city youth bike repair / safety / physics and pushing higher education. > Please send more of those self motivated, financially secure, tool owning volunteers my way. > > Then a question: What percentage of bikes that you work on come from a non-capitalistic factory?

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Community Partners Bike Library
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

Hi Jason, Congratulations. The City of Boulder is looking to start a public paid bike program--similar to Velib in Paris, most likely-- sometime soon. They've scheduled a roundtable discussion about it next week, I believe. I won't be at the meeting with the city, but I was at a previous, not-open-to-the-public meeting with some city staff, when we went over concerns about a potential project here. We did a little research, and I wasn't convinced--nor am I now--that these programs are sustainable in a long term way (more than 2 or 3 years.) I think the maintenance and transport of bikes (from the bottoms of hills to the tops) is more expensive than the program can bring or has brought in any previous program that I'm aware of. Of course, if I'm wrong, I would ABSOLUTELY love to hear about success stories. I'm not talking about first or second generation public bike programs. "First generation" would be the traditional "free bike" programs, where bikes are fixed and just left around busy places for people to use for free. "Second generation" public bike programs are the ones where you have one main check out and check in point. Similar to how one would rent a bike from a bike shop. You wouldn't be able to turn it in across town. I mean the third generation, or "check a bike out from various kiosks around town and turn them in at another kiosk across town" model. Of course, third generational models are all still new enough that they've not been around long enough to have been proven workable or sustainable. Do keep us posted with how it goes with Sibley and the bikes and the process. I'm sure documenting the process will be valuable for other groups looking to do similar work. Thanks, and good luck! josh. On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Stuart O Anderson <soa(a)ri.cmu.edu> wrote: > This is great news! - Sibley is the place where I first learned to > work with bikes. > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jason Tanzman <jason.tanzman(a)gmail.com> > Date: Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 4:36 PM > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Community Partners Bike Library > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > > Hey everybody, > > I just wanted to send an email and let folks know about an exciting > project that Sibley Bike Depot (St. Paul, MN) is beginning. Sibley > received funding in full on Tuesday for a $200,000 program to run a > Community Partners Bike Library! The funds were approved by Transit > for Livable Communities, a not-for-profit transit advocacy group in > charge of allocating a $21 million federal Non-motorized Transit Pilot > program in the Twin Cities. > > This funding will allow Sibley to build up a fleet of 200 bicycles – > outfitted for transportation purposes with a rack, fenders, lights, > lock, and helmet – to lend out to community members for up to six > months. The bike lending will be coordinated through Community > Partners – other agencies, such as affordable housing organizations, > job placement centers, homeless shelters, and more – who will help > identify patrons who will benefit from reliable transportation. > Through this program, Sibley hopes to increase the availability of > bicycles within working class and poor communities, thus helping to > increase access to bicycles and diversify the bicycling movement in > the Twin Cities! > > I am interested to hear any thoughts/feedback/suggestions from anyone > who has 1) coordinated a bike library program; or, 2) handled large > federal or other government grants (rumored to be a tremendous pain in > the ass). > > Jason Tanzman > > -- > Sibley Bike Depot > Volunteer Coordinator > 612-232-2737 (cell) > 651-222-2080 (shop) > www.sibleybikedepot.org > Sibley Bike Depot's mission is to be an open, accessible space to > educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping > to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us > to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities! > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Thanks for supporting Community Cycles, Boulder's first and only non-profit bike shop! Ask me how you can sponsor a Youth Earn-A-Bike student for just $100. www.communitycycles.org

3 3

Traffic skills offerings for new riders through our shops?
by Edward G France 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Oh you crazy guys and gals! Here's a quick process point and a then a serious question below. I appreciate the underlying humor in the bike bickering (The Gross post) here, and now that probably no one is reading this, and that I'm procrastinating more immediate tasks here at Bici Centro (in S.B., California) I'll put in my thoughts. First off, we are all professionals here whether paid/unpaid, sleeping in abandoned buildings or starting a familly with a morgage, and we should treat people at our shop and on this disscussion list with respect ALWAYS, so I would reccomend that lively disagreement emails begin: "I can see how (person x) makes this point, but I really disagree. The point I would like to offer is..." At our shop- and I imagine all of ours, we deal with some real characters, sometimes threatening and belligerent. For this reason in our line of work/volunteerism 'de-escallation' skills are a must. In other words If you can't calmly and politely send out of the shop the mentally ill person who just called one of your volunteers a 'fuck-face' then you probably have no place in a community bike shop, or at least in ours here in Santa Barbara. We should probably illustrate the same interpersonal skills via email. *The Real POINT:* While Jonathan's point about anything getting more people on bikes is a good one, the conversation doesn't end there. Whether a rider is a fashionista buying a bike from urban outfitters (which by the way, is a pretty cool technology, why not let people buy bikes in the colors they want?) or a struggling day laborer, (or a fashionista day laborer, which we have a lot of, actually), New bicyclists can be dangerous not because of fixed gear risks but because of traffic and the challenge or sharing the road. When people bicycle unsafely in endangers them, and all of us, because road rage is real, and motorists who feel disrespected or can't read riders predictibly, are probably more likely to take risks next to cyclists. We're not in Copenhagen after all, and it is about 10 times more dangerous to ride in the U.S. then Northern Europe. We have a paradox that faces us. More riders does equal greater safety for all riders(eventually), but in the meantime, putting people on bikes without a good concept of 'street skills' is unfair to the cyclists we claim to support. (or do you disagree?) In short, and perhaps as a different discussion chain: In what ways do your shops try to connect riders to bicycle safety education. (street skills training specifically). For example in Santa Barbara we partner with our Bicycle Coalition and help fill seats in the League of American Bicyclists Classes, which are paid 10 hour workshops. The format isn't perfect, but we are really working to evolve our education program - going so far as to launch a chicago style 'bicycle ambassadors' program with bike buddies and other non-bike gear resources for aspiring cyclists. Here's our street skills sign up page for reference: http://www.sbbike.org/CycleSmart/apply.html I'd love to see some answers and some (hopefully respectful) disagreement! by the way, My favorite point from the last email chain: > Bikes are poetry, let people read what they like! > > > -- all the Best, -- Ed France, Bici Centro Director www.bicicentro.org 805 617-3255 .......__o .......\ <, ....( )/ ( )"We may go to the Moon, but that is not very far. The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us." -Charles de Gaulle

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Geared hub agenda!
by an undercover cop 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

interestingly enough, the luster seems to be fading from the fixed gear mania here in chicago. i work in the streets, and so i spend a lot of time scoping the bikes folks ride. (so much so that i think people think i'm checking *them* out!) as bikes become more and more popular for joe b. commuter, i see lots and lots of "bros" (identified purely by dress code, haircut and/or millinery) riding slick, brand-new, store-bought single speeds. two years ago, it was fixie conversions. last year it was store-bought fixies (schwinn madisons, raleigh streets, etc.). but this year, i've noticed that they all have single-speed freewheels... which makes the bike even *more* of a fashion statement: "i've got the look without the trade-off!" but shit, that's fine by me. because i know that these dudes (and yeah, it's mostly dudes, but that may be the result of where i work more than anything) aren't riding wildly inappropriate bicycles--thereby endangering themselves and others. my guess is that the local shops' sales forces got wise. probably after a bunch of disappointed yups-to-be traded in their rear wheels. of course, the flip side of the increasing number of jane q. citizen bike commuters is the dilution of solidarity amongst cyclist. not until this year have i been yelled at by bike commuters when i'm working my pedicab, and this season, it's happened twice... but that's a different story entirely.* -ben in chicago *one that ends with the full-force application of my brakes, a mild rear-ending, and "if you're going to tell me how to ride my bike, at least give me a safe following distance, ya knob!" hee.

1 0

experienced bike mechanics as volunteers - issues
by Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Hi All, Since we opened shop I've observed that our best volunteers are those that hardly know anything about the mechanical side of bikes but have enthusiasm and a desire to learn. They end up being the most patient with customers and eventually the best teachers/passers on of bike knowledge. On the flip side are experienced bike mechanics. Most, but not all, are pushy, completely disregard our "hands off the tools philosophy" and don't understand when we ask them to "please attend volunteer orientation" if you would like to volunteer as a mechanic here ("but i'm already a mechanic!"). Recently a bike mechanic of thirty years came in because he heard about us and wanted to observe what went on. To make a long story short, he did everything BUT observe and I had to ask/tell/almost yell at him several times to let people in the shop "do it themselves". The last time I told him to "let him do it himself" he responded with "but i have so much knowledge to share!", to which I replied "here we let people get that knowledge themselves and don't watch over them constantly or take tools out of their hands", which he didn't seem to understand ("what if they make a mistake and something breaks?!"). To lighten the mood (they'll probably laugh, or cry...), bring a hammer out and explain that this is your "rim straightener" or "frame alignment tool". My questions to the other collectives out there: 1.) Do you have a similar issue? or is it just us, haha 2.) How have you gotten experienced mechanics (like the above example) to "buy-in" to your system if at first they resisted? Brian Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19802 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

2 2

Gross.
by N.O.Bike Project 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Hey y'all, This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking about the commodification of bike culture, and the way that capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like to see what's cool these days. I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. Enjoy. http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ Victor Plan B

20 32

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 37, Issue 12
by Weston Edwards 10 Sep '09

10 Sep '09

Ha! Looks like Urban Outfitters is just a channel through which Republic is selling bikes: http://www.republicbike.com/build.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=1 (I have been seeing advertizements in my email for Republic for a long time.) Sincerely, Weston Edwards Director University of Utah Bicycle Collective www.ubike.org On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 1:37 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. Please Explain Fixie Fixation! (Wendy Monroe) > 2. Re: Gross. (N.O.Bike Project) > 3. Re: Please Explain Fixie Fixation! (Boson Au) > 4. Re: Gross. (Boson Au) > 5. Re: Gross. (Jonathan Morrison) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:39:36 +0200 > From: Wendy Monroe <wendy.monroe(a)usermail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Please Explain Fixie Fixation! > Message-ID: <3AFA156B-E277-4662-84C0-4A5BCED8E1A8(a)usermail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > This reminds me to ask something I've been wondering for awhile: why > is riding with a fixed cog relatively fashionable, compared to riding > with > a. a one-speed coaster brake hub, or > b. an internally-geared rear hub? > > Please educate me! > > Wendy Monroe > ( 'no official name for project yet', Amsterdam) > > > On 10 Sep 2009, at 19:04, N.O.Bike Project wrote: > > > Hey y'all, > > > > This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking > > about the commodification of bike culture, and the way that > > capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like > > to see what's cool these days. > > > > I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. > > > > Enjoy. > > > > http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ > > > > Victor > > > > Plan B > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:57:27 -0500 > From: "N.O.Bike Project" <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Gross. > Message-ID: <4AA94C17.90003(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Jonathan, > > No, that's not it at all. > > I have a bit more of a problem with popularizing flip-flop hubs without > conscientious effort to explain the inherent risk in operation in the > interest of (huge)profit. > > But thanks for the generalization. > > Best, > Victor > > Jonathan Morrison wrote: > > I agree. I don't want everyone riding bikes, they are just for me and > > my cool friends! Now I have to drive a car because it is the > > "alternative" thing to do. > > > > In all seriousness, this will just end up with more butts on > > bikes. Hopefully you don't care if they bought a bike from a > > collective, a local bike shop, department store, urban outfitters, or > > the other places that will soon jump on the bandwagon -- as long as > > they riding a bike. > > > > If capitalism makes it cool to ride a bike, cool to be vegetarian, > > cool to shop local, or whatever initiaitive that would kill to be in > > the position cycling is right now -- then I say bleed the beast. > > Nothing, big or small, is perfect and there is bloodshed in every > > revolution, so pick your battles wisely. > > > > BTW, This is the 5th time it has been sent to me via various parts of > > the cycling community email lists. That is the kind of advertising > > that Urban Outfitters must dream of. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Jonathan "I am bitter because I knew the band before they were > > popular" Morrison > > > > > > On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM, N.O.Bike Project > > <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com <mailto:nolabikeproject@gmail.com>> wrote: > > > > Hey y'all, > > > > This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start > > thinking about the commodification of bike culture, and the way > > that capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all > > would like to see what's cool these days. > > > > I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. > > > > Enjoy. > > > > http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ > > > > Victor > > > > Plan B > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > <mailto:Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org> > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > <mailto:TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org> > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:06:21 -0400 > From: Boson Au <instructions(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Please Explain Fixie Fixation! > Message-ID: > <27f849560909101206q657d626em32b37a1ada6c3e08(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > there's defintely a romanticism of riding with fixed cogs. It is a more > mechanically simpler design and therefore, conjures up the connotations of > 'purity' that is really fashionable. > > > > > On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 2:39 PM, Wendy Monroe <wendy.monroe(a)usermail.com > >wrote: > > > This reminds me to ask something I've been wondering for awhile: why is > > riding with a fixed cog relatively fashionable, compared to riding with > > a. a one-speed coaster brake hub, or > > b. an internally-geared rear hub? > > > > Please educate me! > > > > Wendy Monroe > > ( 'no official name for project yet', Amsterdam) > > > > > > On 10 Sep 2009, at 19:04, N.O.Bike Project wrote: > > > > Hey y'all, > >> > >> This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking > about > >> the commodification of bike culture, and the way that capitalism always > >> seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like to see what's cool > these > >> days. > >> > >> I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little. > >> > >> Enjoy. > >> > >> http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/ > >> > >> Victor > >> > >> Plan B > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Thethinktank mailing list > >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: > >> > >> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > >

1 0

Fwd: [People] Ghost Bike Removal and Reappearance
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 10 Sep '09

10 Sep '09

Apologies to those of you also on the Alliance list. Thought this was too cool to not forward. I thought I’d pass this story along to the list. Just over a week ago, our Mayor’s office had a ghost bike removed from public space without alerting the family of the cyclist that was killed. This got some decent press attention here, and is helping us make additional improvements to the intersection where the crash occurred. The family is understandably quite upset at this callous treatment and despite repeated attempts to contact his office about the removal he has still not responded. The bike was removed at the request of a local business owner after about a year of being locked up in the same place. Apparently, the business owner that thought it was unsightly even though the family and friends of the cyclist did a good job of maintaining it. It had become an important symbol to the bike community and reminded us all to be careful. Early this morning, in response to the removal of the ghost bike, 22 new ghost bikes appeared at the same intersection. It was quite a sight to see. Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/biketrip2006/sets/72157622204193927/ Eric WABA Eric Gilliland Executive Director Washington Area Bicyclist Association 1803 Connecticut Ave NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20009 p) 202-518-0524 f) 202-518-0936 e) gill(a)waba.org w) www.waba.org

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] bikebike 2010
by lunch＠bikepirates.com 09 Sep '09

09 Sep '09

Hey Thinktank, We are very excited to be hosting the International Bike!Bike! conference here in Toronto next year. We will be having an initial organizational meeting sometime in the next few weeks and will decide then on the exact date. Most likely it will be at the end of July or sometime early August. Care packages will be sent via snailmail in the spring, so if you did not receive one last year (like if you are just starting a new project/shop) you should submit your address/contact to the Wiki as well as emailing it to us here (info(a)bikepirates.com). We know that crossing the border may be an issue - we have done it three years running - and may require a bit of work for many of you. But you have 11 months to get things processed. The delegates from MOBO have offered to help anyone needing assistance in processing or applying for their passport - they say it is not as difficult as you may think! We'll let you know when the website and forums are up and running. We would love to see more people talking over the website this year. Thanks to everyone in Minneapolis and all over the continent for making Bike!Bike! 2009 a great success and wonderful experience. Love, Ainsley, Geoff, and the Bike Pirate crew.

1 0

Community Bicycle Programs in Amsterdam?
by Anthony Siracusa 07 Sep '09

07 Sep '09

Hello all-- I'm in Amsterdam as part of a year long journey across five continents to study bicycle cultures, and I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows about community bicycle programs in the Netherlands--particularly in Amsterdam. Any tips or leads are greatly appreciated! I found "Smerig" yesterday--a very well organized and 25 year old co-op operating in formerly squatted but now legal space. Any other suggestions are welcome! Best, -- Anthony Siracusa www.anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com +31 64 75 06 507 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, 2009-2010 People Using Pedal Power: Global Bicycling Communities www.watsonfellowship.org

4 6

Re: [TheThinkTank] bike bike 09 on Flickr?
by Kristen L. Abdullah 05 Sep '09

05 Sep '09

Just posted my photos on flickr. the tag is bikebike 2009, and my username is krissyabdullah. hope you all like! On Thu Sep 03 03:04:21 EDT 2009, joshua muir <muirjoshua(a)gmail.com> wrote: > uploading some photos now. . . great to see you Boson. Great to > see a > whole bunch of other as well- Hopefully i'll make it to Toronto > next year. > > > josh > bike church santa cruz > > On Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 4:54 AM, Boson Au <instructions(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> So I uploaded my personal bike bike pics up on flickr w the tag >> bikebike2009 >> >> if no one objects, perhaps we can all do that for this year's >> pics? I'd >> love to show people back home how awesome this was. >> >> -Boson Au >> velocipede bike project >> baltimore md >> velocipedebikeproject.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> >> > > > -- Joshua Muir > muirjoshua(a)gmail.com > > Frances Cycles -- www.francescycles.com > Handbuilt cycling framesets > Touring, Track, Road,Cross, and Cycletrucks for hauling any > distance > (831) 469-3369 > > The Bicycle Church Collective > Community Self-Service Cycle Repair > 3pm to 7pm everyday except Sunday > 703 Pacific Ave (enter on Spruce St) > Santa Cruz, CA 95060 > (831) 425-2453 > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > Kristen Abdullah kabdullah(a)ufl.edu

1 0

Freehub database
by andrew lynn 05 Sep '09

05 Sep '09

a few people brought up 'Freehub' database application (i believe developed at the bike kitchen?) in various contexts at BikeBike. Does anyone know how to get any more info on it? Is it free? does it require a dedicated server? is it modular? is it web-based? what is it useful for? Andrew Troy Bike Rescue -- andrew lynn | 518-573-7947 | troy, ny digital media | bike repair | tree work http://www.breathingplanet.net http://www.troybikerescue.org http://www.mediasanctuary.org http://flickr.com/photos/breathingplanet

5 6

Think Tank, and Uniting the Rebels.
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 03 Sep '09

03 Sep '09

Hey Everyone, Thanks for coming to bikebike! and being so participatory. I got home, went over my notes, and realized I have two lists of email addresses. Apologies to everyone who's already on the thinktank list for receiving this twice. Just wanted to get this out to as many of you as possible. Please forward to those you think might be interested. One is folks who didn't know about or how to sign up for the Think Tank email listserv. To do that, just click the link below this paragraph, and you'll be added. It's not moderated, so if ever you decide that you don't want to receive emails anymore you'll need to unsubscribe yourself. <TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org> To manage your subscription, plase visit:http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollec… The other list I have, and I suspect some folks who aren't on ThinkTank will be interested in, is those of us who spoke about joining forces as collective bike shops into one big organization, or a federation, or something. The three big things this organization would do are: - Serve as a (501c3) fiscal sponsor for startups. Of course, this would only be offered to bike projects in the US, as other countries have other systems and requirements. Insurance also was mentioned as a possible benefit. - Be able to potentially approach tool and/or part manufacturers directly for lower cost for frequently ordered consumables like cables, brake pads, etc. - Offer some sort of structure for a "Woofing <http://www.wwoof.org/>" type program, where mechanics and organizers from one organization could visit and stay with another organization to check out their systems and organization. - Lastly, and the most easily doled out benefit this group could offer would be startup help for burgeoning projects. Either in the form of money that's collected from existing projects, grants, sales of parts to for-profit shops, etc...; and/or wisdom through offering sample paperwork from other orgs, such as sign up sheets, flyers, curricula, etc. The last one there seemed like the easiest place to start, since a knowledge share wouldn't require all that much infrastructure to establish. In fact, it's already in the works. There is a google spreadsheet here<http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tEo1aMT9rFo0CgB_ESvW5JQ&hl=en>that hopefully will grow as folks add their information and add columns to track info for other shops, and we can use this to network with shops doing similar work, or with similar programs. Please add your project's name, and it's details when you get a chance. I've volunteered to be the lead person in getting this process started, but I have no experience organizing a group of existing organizations, so hopefully someone else can step in and offer up some expertise and keep the momentum going. Thanks to everyone who came to the workshops, discussed options and potential conflicts. I don't think any of the bulleted list above is out of our reach, but navigating through some of the trickier bits via email could eat up some time. josh.

4 5

bike bike 09 on Flickr?
by Boson Au 03 Sep '09

03 Sep '09

So I uploaded my personal bike bike pics up on flickr w the tag bikebike2009 if no one objects, perhaps we can all do that for this year's pics? I'd love to show people back home how awesome this was. -Boson Au velocipede bike project baltimore md velocipedebikeproject.org

3 2

BikeBike Northeast!?!?
by andrew lynn 02 Sep '09

02 Sep '09

hi everyone. mad props to the grease pit!!!! Mnpls rawked. what do people think about a possible BikeBike NE????? Our long ponderous car trip back combined with numerous people expressing interest in visiting us here in upstate NY hatched the idea of BikeBike Northeast April 2010. This is the email where we put it out there and see what kind of feedback comes back. Why BikeBike Northeast? 1)we dont have to wait a whole year for that bikebike feeling. 2)there is bikebike southeast, right? 3)there are a bunch of shops in these here states over here that werent represented (consciously or unconsciously) at the nat'l conference. 4) hosting bikebike NE would help us jumpstart our summer building bicycle culture and community because it would be a local event as well as a broad regional one. 5)this bikebike would show off our lack of infrastructure and midwestern motorist niceness, thereby strengthening bikebikers urban riding skills and temporarily importing cycling culture to help people understand what we are talking about. What would happen at BikeBike NE? workshops & discussions for fledgling shops, mini film festival, more welding, trailer building, exploring urban ruins on bike, an Albany-style alleycat, and bla bla bla. whatever you all want to happen? Where would this go down? primarily at the Sanctuary for Independent Media (http://mediasanctuary.org), our awesome, volunteer-run community media center. When? Seems like April 23-24 is OK. before bike month, but most of the snow will have possibly maybe kind of melted. Who? Delaware, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ithaca, Montpelier, Burlington, New Hampshire, Boston, State College PA, Providence, Worcester, NYC, various known on-campus projects..... and??? OK. So this is really just the notes of an earlier brainstorm. what do you all thinks???? Andrew & the TBR crew http://troybikerescue.org

3 2

bike bike 2010?
by Boson Au 01 Sep '09

01 Sep '09

hey everyone, first of all, I just want to say that bike!bike! was rad. I'm happy that I met some new people and reconnected with others. I know that next year's will be held in toronto, but I was wondering if we know what date(s) this will take place? A collective member here works as a nurse and due to that, she has to schedule days off as early in advance as possible. So if the toronto folks can give even an approx week that it will happen itd help her out a lot. thanks in advance -Boson Au velocipede bike project baltimore, md

1 0

Our Booth at Interbike 2009
by Jonathan Morrison 26 Aug '09

26 Aug '09

The Bike Collective Network booth is scheduled for Interbike in the same place as last year. It wasn't in the cards for me to go to Bike!Bike! this year, but if everyone can bring materials from their shop to Bike!Bike! and entrust them with someone who is going to Interbike to drop off at the booth, we we gladly display them. Feel free to send pictures and videos (with labels) to me and we can make a display of them too. Everybody loves pictures. In addition, if you are going to Interbike, let us know, we need people to staff the booth. A large group is staying at Circus Circus and you can get a room with two beds for $22 a night right now on hotels.com. We are cramming as many people in a room as possible to keep the costs down. 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. On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Jonathan Morrison < jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org> wrote: > Like last year the Bike Collective Network will have an advocacy booth at > Interbike (www.interbike.com) from Sept 24th until Sept 26th. Yes, they > scheduled Bike!Bike! on top of it this year. So if you are not planning on > going to Bike!Bike! this is a great opportunity for grants, tools, parts, > sponsorships, manufacturer seconds, networking, professional workshops that > will put your head in a whirl for months, and not to mention tearing up the > Vegas strip on a bike. So three things: > > 1) This booth is for all of us, and people with deep pockets ask where the > closest community bike shop for a donation, it is helpful if we can give > them your info. So please mail any materials you want handed out before > Sept 22nd to: 2312 S. West Temple; Salt Lake City, UT 84115. If you have > photo albums, they would be great and we will mail them back after the show. > > 2) We will be printing out copies of the Bike Collective Network Directory > (not the wiki) to hand out, so please make sure you are listed. > http://www.bikecollectives.org/component/option,com_sobi2/sobi2Task,addNew/ > > 3) If you are planning on going to Interbike, please contact me (off the > list) so we can establish some volunteer shifts at the booth. If you are > coming alone feel free to room and board with us, we usually get a bunch of > rooms at Circus Circus and pack as many people in as possible. > > -- > 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. >

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 36, Issue 33
by Emily Lindberg 26 Aug '09

26 Aug '09

Recycle-a-bike in providence will be working at Interbike east coast outdoor demo, as well running Roller races and raffle, a bike in movie, and bike vallet. Anyone interested in helping out email emily(a)recycleabike.org, or come by for the events in the evening! happy biking! On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 4:07 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. Our Booth at Interbike 2009 (Jonathan Morrison) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:52:29 -0600 > From: Jonathan Morrison <jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Our Booth at Interbike 2009 > Message-ID: > <4dd29fd10908260852md8d9408s3df4ed77b453df19(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > The Bike Collective Network booth is scheduled for Interbike in the same > place as last year. It wasn't in the cards for me to go to Bike!Bike! this > year, but if everyone can bring materials from their shop to Bike!Bike! and > entrust them with someone who is going to Interbike to drop off at the > booth, we we gladly display them. > > Feel free to send pictures and videos (with labels) to me and we can make a > display of them too. Everybody loves pictures. > > In addition, if you are going to Interbike, let us know, we need people to > staff the booth. A large group is staying at Circus Circus and you can get > a room with two beds for $22 a night right now on hotels.com. We are > cramming as many people in a room as possible to keep the costs down. > > 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. > > > On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Jonathan Morrison < > jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org> wrote: > > > Like last year the Bike Collective Network will have an advocacy booth > at > > Interbike (www.interbike.com) from Sept 24th until Sept 26th. Yes, they > > scheduled Bike!Bike! on top of it this year. So if you are not planning > on > > going to Bike!Bike! this is a great opportunity for grants, tools, parts, > > sponsorships, manufacturer seconds, networking, professional workshops > that > > will put your head in a whirl for months, and not to mention tearing up > the > > Vegas strip on a bike. So three things: > > > > 1) This booth is for all of us, and people with deep pockets ask where > the > > closest community bike shop for a donation, it is helpful if we can give > > them your info. So please mail any materials you want handed out before > > Sept 22nd to: 2312 S. West Temple; Salt Lake City, UT 84115. If you have > > photo albums, they would be great and we will mail them back after the > show. > > > > 2) We will be printing out copies of the Bike Collective Network > Directory > > (not the wiki) to hand out, so please make sure you are listed. > > > http://www.bikecollectives.org/component/option,com_sobi2/sobi2Task,addNew/ > > > > 3) If you are planning on going to Interbike, please contact me (off the > > list) so we can establish some volunteer shifts at the booth. If you are > > coming alone feel free to room and board with us, we usually get a bunch > of > > rooms at Circus Circus and pack as many people in as possible. > > > > -- > > 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. > > >

1 0

Non-Profit Industrial Complex
by Macho Philipovich 24 Aug '09

24 Aug '09

Hi everyone, It looks like I'm not going to make it to Bike!Bike! this year, but there was a discussion I was really wanting to initiate. It mostly comes out of lived experience, but is well-articulated by Incite! Women of Color Against Violence in a recent book they wrote called "The Revolution will not be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex" I would love for people, especially those in shops with an anti-capitalist/non-hierarchichal/anti-oppressive bent to them to have a look at that book and then to have discussion around some of the points raised, specifically of limitations in 501(c)3, state funding, and foundation funding models. If people have had a chance to look at the book and would like to discuss it here, that would be great, but even better would be if there were someone willing to lead a discussion next month in Minneapolis. Macho http://bike-dump.ca

5 5

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 36, Issue 28
by Clifford McCarten 24 Aug '09

24 Aug '09

Before I get into the distributer stuff, I want to SINCERELY THANK the bike!bike! organizers for sending us the BEAUTIFUL poster and invite. We received it a while back and have affixed it to the wall for good. It made us so happy to feel included in the bikey community (and the poster was gorgeous). We can't make it this year, but have applied for funding that might send us next year. -- Distributer stuff: This is a really exciting project that some of you are taking on, and I echo Geoffrey's comments below about the need for such an org in Canada. The relative ease with which an account can be had through Babac (Quebec distributer) does little to make up for the fact that they're stocked with bottom of the barrel parts. This and the annually increasing minimum to place an order makes a less-than-ideal situation. co-op/shop needs -low volume supply of basic, quality parts -ease of account acquistion (a way to give ordering accounts to orgs that haven't incorporated yet) -ability to sell parts without having a pristine storefront (a requirement for many brands) Obviously, this is a complicated situation, because the bike shop and its users buck the familiar way that capitalism mediates buying/ selling privileges. But nothing we do is easy, right? Shimano's Canadian headquarters is in my city, there is potential to talk with them directly. I'm keen to stay a part of this discussion: are there other canadian shops on this list that see a need for a co-op distributer? Clifford McCarten Co-Director, B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 400 Wolfe St, Peterborough ON K9J 2P3 (705) 748-6681 http://www.communitybikeshop.org On 21-Aug-09, at 6:01 PM, thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org wrote: > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:01:01 -0400 > From: Geoffrey B <vous.je(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Distributors and interacting with the > profit model > Message-ID: > <6ff82e30908211501y557c22e7y9b7d9a453b4194a9(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > In canada, the need for a community operated distibution network is > much > needed. > > I have been frozen out of accounts with big distributors because of > our > close proximity to other bike shops. I was even thinking about > creating a > mail box outside of our city to take on bigger distributors...thus > your idea > of a community operated distro. > > We send out about 3k a month to local Qubec based distro such as > Damco, and > Babac, even a West Coast distro wants our orders...Asama. > > Creating a go to for up and coming community shops is a must. We > need to > make accessibility to basic parts and tools a priority for small > community > initiatives in Canada, America and the United Mexico. > > Geoffrey > Bike Pirates > Toronto, Canada > > ********************************************

2 1

Distributors and interacting with the profit model
by Rigel Christian 21 Aug '09

21 Aug '09

Hi, I had an interesting discussion with someone who worked at a smaller distributor today. I had called in order to try and cultivate a business relationship for our local co-op, which is in desperate need of tools and consumable parts like bearings and cables. He mentioned that a lot more co-ops were inquiring about accounts. He also told me the reasons why co-op/DIY shops were problematic from his end, and it's a reasonable criticism from that perspective. Individually, we simply dont do the volume of business necessary to be attractive to a business interest. The time necessary to administer and verify an account that does maybe a couple hundred dollars worth of business a month for the higher traffic shops kind of burns your profit margins, which are not large at that level. distributors count on reliable, volume business to stay afloat, and take a smaller cut of profit on the assumption that that's the type of business theyll be doing. I've know that some of the longer running co-ops and collectives have relationships with distributors, but clearly many of the newer ones do not. I'm curious about a couple of things. 1) Does your collective have a relationship with a parts distributor? 2) Regardless of the answer to #1, roughly how much does your shop spend on tools/consumables/things-that-one-would-get-from-a-distributor? It seems to me that in the first few years of a co-op/nonprofit/collective situation, lots or most of these organizations leverage either existing ties to, or the goodwill of LBSes. My suspicion is that in some edge cases, where the bike or DIY culture isnt all that strong, this can be a fairly significant issue for a fledgling operation, in terms of both finances and social capital. The idea that i'm trying to push here is that of a sort of buyers club. Disregarding for the moment the perfectly valid criticisms of the legal structure of 501(c)3s, if there was a nonprofit that could act as a go-between for a parts distributor and a number of regional shops, that would serve the needs of both the for-profit distributors AND the co-op shops. distributors wouldnt have to deal with as much volatility from taking on co-ops as charity cases, and co-ops banding together could drive the price of a lot of the most necessary consumables and parts down even further than their current distributor relationships can offer. in the ideal case, of course. I would appreciate any input people have. I dont know if this has been suggested before (I suspect it has), but i didnt see anything in my archive of the last year or so. If I'm totally off base in my assumptions I'd like to know that too, where i went wrong, and what the real deal is. cheers.

14 14

Winnipeg to minneapolis for bikebike-Ride needed!
by shanny1＠telus.net 20 Aug '09

20 Aug '09

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] ride wanted- chicago to minneapolis for bike bike!
by Kristen L. Abdullah 17 Aug '09

17 Aug '09

Awesome, keep me updated. If you would like, give me a call at (904)613-4948 ane we can chat about the ride. thanks, krissy On Mon Aug 17 11:03:52 EDT 2009, Geoffrey B <vous.je(a)gmail.com> wrote: > we might be through Chicago by Wed August 26th > > On Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 2:48 PM, Kristen L. Abdullah > <kabdullah(a)ufl.edu>wrote: > >> Hey, >> I'm couchsurfing in Chicago at the moment, and am looking for a >> ride to >> bike bike in a couple of weeks. Just me and a couple of bags. no >> bike. >> Willing to split gas money. Please email me if you have an extra >> spot. >> thanks in advance! >> >> krissy >> kabdullah(a)ufl.edu >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> > > > > -- Geoffrey B > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > Kristen Abdullah kabdullah(a)ufl.edu

2 1

ride wanted- chicago to minneapolis for bike bike!
by Kristen L. Abdullah 17 Aug '09

17 Aug '09

Hey, I'm couchsurfing in Chicago at the moment, and am looking for a ride to bike bike in a couple of weeks. Just me and a couple of bags. no bike. Willing to split gas money. Please email me if you have an extra spot. thanks in advance! krissy kabdullah(a)ufl.edu

2 1

rejecting trash bikes
by Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE 14 Aug '09

14 Aug '09

hey folks, a moral or social dilemma: when your shop accepts donations of used bikes, but you're already filled to the gills with hundreds of bikes that may or may not ever get fixed up, how do you begin to turn away donations that are really not worth the space? or do you? just looking for some suggestions of how other shops have dealt with this issue. it gets to the point where we don't have the time, space, or man-power to strip down all those pieces-of-crap even to send to the scrap yard, but now that people know that we accept used bikes, it's hard to know how to say no. thanks! sarah Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19802 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

13 13

rejecting trash bikes
by Bob Giordano 14 Aug '09

14 Aug '09

yes, yes. and we have a nifty new design (although i'm sure it's been done), that puts a pipe through two bottom bracket shells, for a parking rack, and for bike/garden cart/trailer. we use 2 rear triangles cut off 'reject' bikes. more on that to come... -Bob g., free cycles missoula, freecycles.org Angel York wrote: > Rejectable bikes are also pretty great material for making bike trailers. > > On Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 7:51 PM, MoBo Bicycle Co-op < > mobobicyclecoop(a)gmail.com> wrote:

1 0

Hiring Business Consultant for bike program in Guatemala
by arik grier 13 Aug '09

13 Aug '09

JOB OPENING: International Business Consultant position for an exciting nonprofit appropriate technology center and bicycle retail store in Guatemala. Maya Pedal is the organization that makes and markets “bici- maquinas,” labor-saving, cost-effective pedal powered inventions, to individuals and cooperatives who are off the electrical grid and can’t afford diesel generators. Maya Pedal has amazing technology but lacks sound financial and organizational stewardship. Job Description: Bikes Not Bombs (BNB),Working Bikes Cooperative and Maya Pedal(MP) seek a Spanish-English bilingual person who has small business management and sales background, and experience with nonprofits. This job will require developing a marketing plan and a business plan for the organization, Maya Pedal, a nonprofit appropriate technology center in San Andres de Itzapa, Guatemala. To be an effective consultant in this job you’ll need to be able to work well with people and yet be straightforward in your assessment for restructuring the financial oversight and management of the organization. First order of the day will be to assess the current state of operations and develop a business plan and an annual budget. The second task of work will be to develop and implement a marketing strategy. Thirdly, you will make recommendations as to how the MP Board should be comprised and help to start new board development process. Finally, you will oversee a hiring process to find appropriate administrative personnel for Maya Pedal. Job duration is six months and is expected to begin in early to mid October. Lodging is supplied in beautiful San Andres de Itzapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Job pay will include a round-trip air fare, a return transition stipend, international emergency medical insurance and a $550 stipend per month. Experience working internationally with small businesses in Latin America Is an important plus. This is a tremendous opportunity for someone who wants to gain hands-on working experience with Latin American indigenous nonprofits and marketing of Appropriate Technology. Job tasks will include: • Review and report on current fiscal solvency of Maya Pedal • Review and establish an appropriate accounting system • Assessment of current sales department and marketing strategy • Some direct involvement in customer relations/sales • Development of a business plan for Maya Pedal • Assessment of functionality of Board of Directors and recommendations • Creation of an annual budget and financial reporting system • Help to develop a marketing plan • Research possibilities of web based, on-line giving procedures • Participation in management and shop staff meetings • Work with internal committee to hire administrative personnel for Maya Pedal as recommended and agreed upon by Maya Pedal and international stake holders. This will include review of potential candidates and training personnel once hired. Please send your resume and cover letter by September 8, 2009 to: hiring(a)bikesnotbombs.org or check out the link on the Bikes Not Bombs web site at: http://bikesnotbombs.org/node/584

1 0

Bike shops in Puerto Rico?
by Josh Brown 11 Aug '09

11 Aug '09

Anyone know of, or work at, a bike project in Puerto Rico? We recieved an email (below) from someone looking for one. Thanks! josh. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Community Cycles <igiduran(a)yahoo.com> Date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM Subject: Ignacio Duran has contacted CC about Other To: josh(a)communitycycles.org This message was sent from Ignacio Duran igiduran(a)yahoo.com Ignacio has the following comments I just discovered your website, I'm interested in the social benefits of cycling and would like to be active in Puerto Rico, but I noticed on your list of collectives (showing the different one by States) and noticed that there is none in Puerto Rico, so my question is: is there maybe one that you know of but has not made it to the list or do you know what I could do to start one? Thanks, Ignacio Duran

3 2

Turning prison work into money?
by Bob Giordano 11 Aug '09

11 Aug '09

We've been helping pre-releasers get bikes for several years. They are not allowed to go thru our typical 'bike well' program (2 hours vol time, one class, then build a free bike) because the pre release center does not want them volunteering (we are working on changing that). So they budget $20-$40 to buy a bike from us that they complete. It can be hard on us to facilitate that, so i went to their execs. They suggested, which we are considering: we buy a sweet fleet of bomber bikes (they will help us fund that), and we then rent the bikes to them for $1 a day. They already budget money for food and rent- i think it comes to $14 a day, so $1 more for transport sounds good. i'm thinking 50 cents a day, which is still $180 a year. These would be mountain bikish, fenders, strong rack, light, u-lock, repair kit, helmet, maintenance lesson, safety lesson... Of the 100 in the prerelease program, an average would be: 80 ride bikes, of which 60 come to us, and 19 go to walmart, 1 goes to a retail shop. The prerelease center is on outskirts of town here too, and they are not allowed to ride in n'hoods. They often have been hit by cars, and we are stepping up our advocacy efforts to make the roads safe, there and throughout town. -Bob Giordano, Free Cycles Missoula, MIST veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com wrote: > But perhaps not like it first sounds. > > Does anyone out there work with populations of prisoners or recently > released inmates? Have you had any success finding funding for this work? > > Community Cycles has a program in which we work with our County jail's > work > release program. When inmates here have less than 25% of their sentence > left, and qualify for the program (this is determined by the jail based on > factors such as non-violent, non sexual offenses, behavior during their > stay, etc.) they are given 2 weeks in which to find a job on the outside. > During this 2 week period, they are very strictly monitored, and must > check > in when they arrive at a location, must let the jail know when they are > leaving, etc. > Once they've found and landed a job, they are let out in the morning, and > return to the jail at night, paying rent for the remainder of their > sentence. The job allows them to start saving money for free life once > they're out, and gets them back into a schedule and everything that comes > with the regularity of work. They are not given bus tickets or money for > travel, and must either walk back and forth, or rely on family members and > friends for transportation during this time. The jail is located out of > the > way, several miles from the center of town and any decent work options. > > Community Cycles has partnered with the jail and we are now a place where > inmates in the program can come and get a bike through our regular > Earn-a-Bike > program. They typically do this during the first two or three days of > their > 2 weeks, and then they have wheels which allows them to go farther faster, > and opens up many opportunities for work which walking would't. > > We've heard from the jail that the recidivism rates of those inmates going > through our EAB program are the lowest of any group and that the jail has > had to install more bike parking as a result. > > I've contacted the supervisor of the program on the jail's side, trying to > suss out any possibility of getting some kind of financial support either > through the country, or through other outside groups, but they were of no > help. When I broached the subject, the immediate response was "Well, we > don't have any money, so you're not going to get any from us!" and it > didn't > get better as I probed more. > > Do any of you have any experience with groups that fund work with inmates? > Any suggestions for ways to get or "work release" program to start paying > for itself? Right now, the only thing that makes it a "program" is that > the > Earn-a-Bike participants are a specific demographic--inmates--who all come > from the same place. If they didn't tell us they were in the Work Release > program or staying at the County jail, we would have no idea. > > Thanks! > > josh.

1 0

Bike Collectives in Colombia?
by plan b NOLA Bike Project 11 Aug '09

11 Aug '09

Hey yáll, It's Victor from Plan B in New Orleans. I'm in Panama City right now, which may actually be the least bike friendly city I´ve ever been to. In fact it may be bike impossible because even walking is terrifying here! Anyway, I'll be travelling through Colombia next week. Anyone know of any collectives/clubs/cool shops I should visit? Also, in my deepest fantasies I would love to borrow/rent/ buy a bike to use for Ciclovia in Bogota and for touring. If anyone knows anything it would be great. All the best, } Victor

1 0

Turning prison work into money?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 11 Aug '09

11 Aug '09

But perhaps not like it first sounds. Does anyone out there work with populations of prisoners or recently released inmates? Have you had any success finding funding for this work? Community Cycles has a program in which we work with our County jail's work release program. When inmates here have less than 25% of their sentence left, and qualify for the program (this is determined by the jail based on factors such as non-violent, non sexual offenses, behavior during their stay, etc.) they are given 2 weeks in which to find a job on the outside. During this 2 week period, they are very strictly monitored, and must check in when they arrive at a location, must let the jail know when they are leaving, etc. Once they've found and landed a job, they are let out in the morning, and return to the jail at night, paying rent for the remainder of their sentence. The job allows them to start saving money for free life once they're out, and gets them back into a schedule and everything that comes with the regularity of work. They are not given bus tickets or money for travel, and must either walk back and forth, or rely on family members and friends for transportation during this time. The jail is located out of the way, several miles from the center of town and any decent work options. Community Cycles has partnered with the jail and we are now a place where inmates in the program can come and get a bike through our regular Earn-a-Bike program. They typically do this during the first two or three days of their 2 weeks, and then they have wheels which allows them to go farther faster, and opens up many opportunities for work which walking would't. We've heard from the jail that the recidivism rates of those inmates going through our EAB program are the lowest of any group and that the jail has had to install more bike parking as a result. I've contacted the supervisor of the program on the jail's side, trying to suss out any possibility of getting some kind of financial support either through the country, or through other outside groups, but they were of no help. When I broached the subject, the immediate response was "Well, we don't have any money, so you're not going to get any from us!" and it didn't get better as I probed more. Do any of you have any experience with groups that fund work with inmates? Any suggestions for ways to get or "work release" program to start paying for itself? Right now, the only thing that makes it a "program" is that the Earn-a-Bike participants are a specific demographic--inmates--who all come from the same place. If they didn't tell us they were in the Work Release program or staying at the County jail, we would have no idea. Thanks! josh.

1 0

Ateliers velos (community bike shops in Europe)
by Christine Bourgeois 10 Aug '09

10 Aug '09

Bonsoir! I am getting ready for a trip to France and I discovered that the number of "ateliers velos" is growing all over Europe. In 2007, Rome organized the 1st European Forum of Bike Workshops. http://un-e.org/toulousebikeforum/images/stories/velocity.pdf http://un-e.org/toulousebikeforum/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsec… This year, Marseille is going to have a Heureux Cycleur week-end at the beginning of October (same idea as Bike! Bike!) All the best, -- Christine Bourgeois www.bicicentro.org

2 1

dispensing housing
by Jonathan Morrison 08 Aug '09

08 Aug '09

Has anyone figured out a good way to dispense new housing in bulk? A new set of cables / housing on a bike makes a huge difference -- but I don't think people realize how much this costs and take it for granted. We can of course try to throw volunteers / staff that we don't have at the situation, but I am hoping that there is a way were we could show the cost of housing as they pull it out. Just like gas at the gas pump. I was looking at this rope application as a possible solution..... http://www.botachtactical.com/pmiropmeas.html 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.

7 6

unsubscribe please
by Steve Stollman 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 36, Issue 7
by Jason Tanzman 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

I work with the Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul; we currently have accounts with Quality Bike Products as well as J&B. We are a not-for-profit with a fairly well established retail operation that largely funds our other programs; thus far this year, we've sold about $50,000 worth of used bikes and parts (both used and new). We are stocking more different new items for retail sales and also doing more special ordering of higher end new parts for customers. We generally order about $2500 per month in parts and supplies. Our mission remains to recycle as much as possible. However, it has become clear to us that things like cables, brake pads (we replace brake pads on about 60% of bikes that come through our shop), handlebar tape, tires, lights, locks, helmets, and more are really helpful for people to have a comfortable, reliable, safe ride. In terms of setting up distributor accounts - really all QBP and J&B require is a storefront with a sign. In my experience, we've never had trouble getting them to accept orders, even when Sibley was ordering way lower quantities. Contact them - it may be less lucrative on their end, but they have plenty of customers and it isn't a whole lot of extra work on their end to distribute to you. And they sometimes even feel happy to be supporting a socially conscious organization. If you don't have a storefront or can't get a distributor account, connecting with a Local Bike Shop may be an effective way to get your coop/collective discounts. I've heard multiple instances (including our neighbor the Grease Pit in Minneapolis) where a local shop (in the Grease Pit's case, a worker-owned coop retail shop) offers them parts at wholesale (or close to) price. Most LBS do not view your collective as competition, and are happy to offer discounted parts (i've head like 25% above wholesale cost being used before). Jason Tanzman Volunteer Coordinator (paid staff) On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 10:00 AM, <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. Re: Distributors and interacting with the profit model > (Carolyn Braunius) > 2. Re: Distributors and interacting with the profit model (R > Points) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 07:45:10 -0700 (PDT) > From: Carolyn Braunius <brauniusc(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Distributors and interacting with the > profit model > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: <155359.53587.qm(a)web50301.mail.re2.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi, > > We have two small collective shops at Troy Bike Rescue, in Troy and Albany. > We are also very lucky to have a major distributor's warehouse nearby who > are very accommodating with our order needs. > > In our shops we heavily emphasize using recycled parts first. We only were > really keeping new cables, bearings, and housing in stock. > > We had a special situation in Troy, which made us rethink some of our shop > policies on not buying new parts for our customers' consumption. The local > police began issuing tickets for not having bike bells or lights, to the > tune of like 50 bucks in some cases. > > We test ordered some bells, lights, and patch kits to see if people would > be willing to give us a more specific "suggested donation" for the parts, > since the parts were paid for by us, instead of relying on donations. In our > case, there was no local bike shop or even a major big box retailer that was > easily accessible for people who use bikes as a primary means of > transportation to get a bell or a light. > > So far, the change has been very successful. We wanted to make sure, if we > were providing people with bikes, we were also providing them with the > opportunity to get a bell and a light. People have heard about the > ticketing, have been coming to us for bells and are very willing to meet our > minimum suggested donation. > > With our minimum suggested donation, we try to cover the cost of our > purchase, and not undercut the local bike shops to much. So far, this has > been cool. > > We also let our core staff order stuff when we order from the distributor. > No one is paid at our shops, so it is a small reward for a group of very > dedicated people. Of course, this is about 10-12 people for two shops, so it > isn't to much of an onerous task. Each person is responsible for looking at > the catalog, writing down all the relevant information, and then making sure > the items are in stock at the local supplier before we order. > > Carolyn > www.troybikerescue.org > > > "When shall we live if not now?" - M.F.K. Fisher > > --- On Thu, 8/6/09, rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> wrote: > > From: rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Distributors and interacting with the profit > model > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Date: Thursday, August 6, 2009, 6:53 AM > > We have an account with Hawley.? Our minimum order is $50, and we only buy > things necessary for operating a repair shop (no retail items, nothing for > people to take away unless it's installed on the bike as part of a repair; > generally tools and consumables costing less than $5 apiece only).? They > required from us up front that we have liability insurance and a store > front, and maybe a few other things that I can't recall. > > > We talked about buying benefits for volunteers, and we decided it create > too much confusing administrative work, and volunteers have plenty of access > to nice donations and other benefits anyway.? And we like to send folks to > the for profit shops for parts when we don't have them because that helps us > maintain good relationships with the shops.?? Plus, our mission is about > affordable repair by way tool sharing, not by way of bulk parts purchasing. > > > This fiscal year to date, we've spent a little more than $5000 on shop > supplies, mostly on Hawley orders, and the rest split between hardware > stores and emergency trips to for profit bike shops.? We surpassed our > supplies fundraising goals with some grant money, so we splurged a little on > some tap and die sets, which have pretty much paid for themselves in > salvaged bottom bracket shells and fork threads. > > > Hope this helps! > Rachael > Sopo Bikes//ATL > > On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 9:47 PM, Rigel Christian <rigelc(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi, > > > > I had an interesting discussion with someone who worked at a smaller > > distributor today. I had called in order to try and cultivate a > > business relationship for our local co-op, which is in desperate need > > of tools and consumable parts like bearings and cables. He mentioned > > that a lot more co-ops were inquiring about accounts. > > > > He also told me the reasons why co-op/DIY shops were problematic from > > his end, and it's a reasonable criticism from that perspective. > > Individually, we simply dont do the volume of business necessary to be > > attractive to a business interest. The time necessary to administer > > and verify an account that does maybe a couple hundred dollars worth > > of business a month for the higher traffic shops kind of burns your > > profit margins, which are not large at that level. distributors count > > on reliable, volume business to stay afloat, and take a smaller cut of > > profit on the assumption that that's the type of business theyll be > > doing. > > > > I've know that some of the longer running co-ops and collectives have > > relationships with distributors, but clearly many of the newer ones do > > not. > > > > I'm curious about a couple of things. > > > > 1) Does your collective have a relationship with a parts distributor? > > 2) Regardless of the answer to #1, roughly how much does your shop > > spend on tools/consumables/things-that-one-would-get-from-a-distributor? > > > > It seems to me that in the first few years of a > > co-op/nonprofit/collective situation, lots or most of these > > organizations leverage either existing ties to, or the goodwill of > > LBSes. > > > > My suspicion is that in some edge cases, where the bike or DIY culture > > isnt all that strong, this can be a fairly significant issue for a > > fledgling operation, in terms of both finances and social capital. > > > > The idea that i'm trying to push here is that of a sort of buyers > > club. Disregarding for the moment the perfectly valid criticisms of > > the legal structure of 501(c)3s, if there was a nonprofit that could > > act as a go-between for a parts distributor and a number of regional > > shops, that would serve the needs of both the for-profit distributors > > AND the co-op shops. distributors wouldnt have to deal with as much > > volatility from taking on co-ops as charity cases, and co-ops banding > > together could drive the price of a lot of the most necessary > > consumables and parts down even further than their current distributor > > relationships can offer. in the ideal case, of course. > > > > I would appreciate any input people have. I dont know if this has been > > suggested before (I suspect it has), but i didnt see anything in my > > archive of the last year or so. If I'm totally off base in my > > assumptions I'd like to know that too, where i went wrong, and what > > the real deal is. > > > > cheers. > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > -- > 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 > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >

1 0

Press Release for 816 Bicycle Collective Benefit Show 8/16/09
by the816bikecollective Kansascity 05 Aug '09

05 Aug '09

July 29, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *Bi-Annual Fundraiser to support Kansas City’s Recycle-A-Bicycle Project * *Kansas City, Missouri -Californos in Westport, located at 4124 Pennsylvania, hosts the Bi-Annual 816 Bicycle Collective Fundraiser, Sunday, August 16**th**. Doors open at 6PM and the event will end at midnight. The night will include musical performances by Lord of the Yum Yum, The Afterparty, Atilla, Andrew Connor, a raffle, silent art auction and more! All proceeds will go to benefit The 816 Bicycle Collective, Kansas City’s only non-profit recycle-a-bicycle project. * Our benefit in December of 2008, successfully raised $1,650.50, which went to sustaining our programs through the winter months, and helped us to prepare for the now busier summer season. Our goal is to rescue and repair bicycles, increase bicycle ridership in the Kansas City area, and to offer educational services. Since we attended the Southeast Regional Bikebike! in Atlanta during January of 2009, (which was a convention of community run bicycle shops,) we have… -Doubled our physical shop space -Organized a back-lot cleanup and are now utilizing the space for youth activities -Purchased new specialty tools, with the addition of 10 new mini tool kits -Gone from 5 voting collective members to 8 -Redistributed 71 bicycles (and counting) to a diverse range of people in the community -Seen over 500 visitors (and counting) within the shop We emphasize to our patrons the importance of giving back. Giving back can mean a variety of things, from money to printing services, volunteering to clean up, sort parts, or help another person with their bicycle. We rely completely on donations and community support, and all collective members are volunteers. These benefits help ensure that we will be able to continue to provide these services and the resources needed to those who rely on our facility, no matter what their financial situation is. Please help us in spreading the word about our organization or help us by making a donation. We are currently in need/accepting the following donations (all are tax deductible) *-Money for rent and utilities* *-Items to raffle – gift certificates, coupons, art, or other merchandise* -Bicycle wheels and complete bicycles, (especially kids bikes) -Metric box wrenches and allen keys, or any specialty bike tools -Bike cables, housing, chain lube, grease and degreaser -Helmets and bike locks (cables, chains, u-locks) -Front and rear flashing lights -Bicycle repair stands -Printing services The 816 Bicycle Collective is a non-profit organization under The Greater Kansas City Bicycle Federation. We are located at 3109 Troost Avenue, in the back of the Creative Minds Art Center. For more information, media inquiries, or to find out what you can do to help – Visit *www.816bike.org* or contact us at *The816bike(a)gmail.com* or Suzanne Hogan 505-231-589 ###

1 0

Bike Machine/Appropriate Technology Collective in Mexico Needs Help!
by james blesdoe 02 Aug '09

02 Aug '09

this came in the mail at the bicycle kitchen i sent them $10 on their paypal account !!URGENT LETTER ASKING HELP FROM C.A.C.I.T.A. (Kah see tah)!!! Please send to ALL your contacts! C.A.C.I.T.A. IS ASKING FOR DONATIONS OR SMALL LOANS TO HELP PURCHASE THEIR NEIGHBORING PROPERTY!!! Friends, family, and recipients of this letter; We write to you to ask for help for something very important to us. The possibility to grow, develop and strengthen our work, in many ways depends on this opportunity. We ask that you take the time to read our request below to understand better our proposal. Our project C.A.C.I.T.A., Centro Autónomo para la Creación Intercultural de Tecnologías Apropiadas- (the Autonomous Centre for the Intercultural Creation of Appropriate Technologies), is located in San Pablo de Etla, in the suburbs of Oaxaca City, in southern Mexico. We recently were offered the opportunity to obtain the neighboring property and expand physically the size of our place of work. C.A.C.I.T.A is a learning center in constant development, experimentation, instruction and production of appropriate technologies, such as bicycle machines, solar ovens, dry compost bathrooms, natural materials building, humanure and worm compost production, rain water catchments, natural filtration, and human-power pumping systems, sustainable community agriculture, recycled alternative fuels, bicycle powered electrical generators; to name a few. Please see our video- http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2091717/video_cacita/ The neighboring property measures 8 meters by 20 meters, or 160 square meters, almost the same dimensions as the property that we currently own and are occupying now. The owner of the neighboring property came recently to offer us first rights in buying the property, reducing his original offer of 100 thousand pesos, to 80 thousand pesos, approximately 6000 dollars. The owner offered us that we could give him 50 thousand pesos as a down payment, and pay him the remaining 30 thousand over a specified amount of time. Our goal is 90,000 pesos, 80,000 for the owner of the property, and 10 thousand to put the title of property paperwork in our name. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 60,000 pesos in donations and small loans paid towards our goal! We are still working to raise the remaining 30,000 pesos that need to be paid off very soon! It's very unusual for us to be asking for help in this type of way, but in other respects the owner of the neighboring property will have to look for another buyer for his land, which would mean our losing the opportunity to grow as a work space. We are asking for donations or small loans that could be repaid in the following year. If it is in your abilities to grant us this favor, please contact us to make the support happen. C.A.C.I.T.A is an self-sustaining project. Meaning, we don’t receive any kind of support from governmental, or international cooperation programs. We want to continue being autonomous as a project and as individuals, becoming an example for other households in southern Mexico to incorporate low cost and low-tec sustainable appropriate technologies into their daily lives and also benefit from the autonomy that they offer. And so for some time now we’ve been creating a learning center and dormitory for visiting collaborators that come from varied places and realities to share their knowledge and learn in an intercultural learning environment about appropriate technologies. We know times are difficult, economically speaking; but they are also times of change and solutions, and of other ways of relating with one another and the natural world around us. We feel that we share these feelings and dreams with you, and that is why we are asking you to help us grow as a workspace, a place for learning, and as an organization. Thank you for taking the time to read our words. Attentively, C.A.C.I.T.A. cacita(a)riseup.net. to donate by paypal, please use the following link! https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5169270 En español............ CARTA URGENTE SOLICITANDO APOYO PARA C.A.C.I.T.A. Familia, amigos, amistades. Les escribimos para pedirles una ayuda muy importante para nosotros. La posibilidad de crecer, desarrollar, y fortalecer nuestros trabajos, en muchos sentidos depende de esta oportunidad. Pedimos que lean nuestra solicitud para entender mejor nuestra propuesta. Nuestro espacio de trabajo, el Centro Autónomo para la Creación Intercultural de Tecnologías Apropiadas- C.A.C.I.T.A., esta ubicado en San Pablo de Etla, a las afueras de la Ciudad de Oaxaca. Somos un espacio de trabajo, en constante desarrollo, experimentación, enseñanza y producción de tecnologías apropiadas, como son las bicimakinas, hornos-solares, sanitarios secos ecológicos, la bio-construcción con materiales naturales, la producción de composta humana y lombricultura, sistemas de capitación, filtración natural, y bombeo de agua de lluvia, la agricultura sustentable comunitaria, combustibles reciclados alternativos, y la generación eléctrica por viento y por bicicleta; por mencionar algunas. Favor de ver nuestro video~ http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2091717/video_cacita/ El terreno mide aproximadamente 8 metros por 20m, o 160 metros cuadrados, casi las mismas dimensiones del terreno que actualmente ocupamos. El dueño del terreno vino recién a ofrecernos primer derecho de comprar el terreno, reduciendo su oferta de 100 mil pesos, a 80 mil pesos. Y que pudiéramos darle 50 mil pesos de entrada, y pagar los 30 mil restantes en un tiempo determinado. 10 mil pesos para la tramitología de titulo de propiedad. Nuestro objetivo es recaudar 90,000 pesos, 80,000 para el dueño del terreno, y 10 mil pesos para la tramitologías del titulo de propiedad. ACTUALMENTE TENEMOS 60,000 PESOS RECAUDADOS en donativos y pequeños prestamos ya pagado al dueño del terreno! Estamos todavía trabajando para recaudar los 30,000 pesos restantes que se tiene que pagar en los próximos semanas! Es muy inusual de nosotros pedir este tipo de apoyo, pero de otro modo el dueño del terreno buscaría otra persona para comprar la propiedad, que causaría nuestro desalojo, y estancamiento físico en cuanto a la posibilidad de crecer como espacio de trabajo. Pedimos donaciones o pequeños prestamos que podemos pagar en el transcurso de un año. Si esta en tus posibilidades este favor que pedimos, por favor contáctanos para realizar el apoyo. C.A.C.I.T.A., para quien no lo conocen de cerca, es un proyecto autogestivo, que quiere decir que no dependemos de ningún proyecto gubernamental, ni de un programa de cooperación internacional. Queremos seguir siendo autónomos como proyecto y como individuos, siendo un ejemplo para familias en el sur de México para incorporar tecnologías apropiadas en sus vidas cotidianas y tambien beneficiar de la autonomía que brindan. Y es por eso que desde hace mucho tiempo atrás venimos creando un centro de aprendizaje donde la gente interesados en compartir y aprender sobre las tecnologías apropiadas. Pensamos que la compra de este terreno nos posibilitaría esa oportunidad de crecer en espacio, y realizar nuestro sueño de crear un albergue para visitantes internados que vienen de variados lugares y contextos, para compartir sus conocimientos en un ambiente de aprendizaje intercultural. Sabemos que son tiempos difíciles, económicamente, pero también son tiempos de cambio, de soluciones, de otras maneras de relacionarnos con la sociedad y la naturaleza. Pensamos que compartimos estas ideas y sueños con ustedes, y por tal, nos dirigimos a ustedes para pedirles que nos apoyen y que nos acompañen en este camino de transformación de conciencia y acción que queremos crear en el mundo. Gracias por tu tiempo que tomaste por leer nuestras palabras. Atentamente C.A.C.I.T.A cacita(a)riseup.net. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5169270 -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Kitchen-board mailing list Kitchen-board(a)bicyclekitchen.com http://eight.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/kitchen-board

1 0

816 Bicycle Collective Benefit Bash!!!!
by the816bikecollective Kansascity 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Hello Friends, The 816 Bicycle Collective is having a benefit show to raise some much needed funds. We really hope that you can make it. Our show is at Californo's in Westport on Sunday, August 16th. There will be bands, food, raffle prizes and much more. We're taking donation's at the door. We'll see you there!!! Thanks, the 816 Bicycle Collective 3109 Troost Ave KCMO 64109 www.816bike.org

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] "job" openings at your co-op
by john.carlson＠comcast.net 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

At Sibley Bike Depot, we have four paid staff people right now, all of which could use more hours; Volunteer Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, and two mechanics. The mechanics staff our open shops, teach staff and volunteers and help teach classes, repair bikes and do final checks on bikes volunteers repair. We also pay a professional bookkeeper monthly to do our payroll and keep us on track with the reporting, filing of key things. We also have an active board that participates in all areas of operations. We decided that to be more sustainable we had to shift our organization from a top-top hierarchy to a collective model. Our mode of operation shift went something like this: We had a hands-off board of directors that hired an Executive Director and Shop Manager /mechanic The Grants that paid for the start-up of our organization ran out and they were unable to fund these positions. The ED left and they decided to start selling bikes to pay for the Shop Manager/mechanic. The shop manager position continued for a number of years and he was able to use the volunteers and the bikes to pay our rent, utilities and his own pay. But the model was essentially the same; a board of directors who hired someone to do the work for them. Unfortunately that set up the situation where we had the shop manager acting as ED and Mechanic and Program Leader doing and directing everything from bike rentals, sales, donations, deposits, ordering, problem solving, etc. Everything had to go through the shop manager to keep everything going. Eventually he burned out. In our scenario, the board was seen as the boss who could come in and change things, give orders, had power over money and jobs, but was not responsible for day to day operations. And not connected with the people making it all happen. We looked at the Grease Pit as a different model of how things could operate by sharing the work between engaged, participating members of a collective. We decided that we would hire staff people in focused, key areas, to act as partners with us, part of the collective. And the rest is us trying to figure out how to make a collective work. Part of our new organizational structure is to have decentralized volunteer teams with power and authority to carry out tasks. For instance, the web/technology team totally setup a three computer network in our shop, redeveloped our website using drupal for easy content updating and setup a volunteer tracking system also in drupal. The way it's suppose to work is our collective members and staff participate in these teams alongside volunteers. We also have a finance team, fundraising team, outreach/promotion team, education team, etc. It's not all working great, but in my view so far, it's more just and sustainable than the old model. To make our collective more open and accessible, we have been trying to expand our collective to core volunteers who can participate, take on leadership roles and responsibilities and have a say in how to do things. What doesn't work though is when collective members join, but don't take responsibility and don't do the work, and work against other volunteers. And we are still a 501c3 non-profit corporation with banking, payroll, filing and reporting responsibilities. Our new model is confusing to even us at times when collective members assume someone else is taking care of responsibilities and we do only the things that we want to do. I've also seen the collective model turn against itself - infighting, clique behavior, and power struggles. And the other volunteers definately see this. And our model is also confusing to outsiders who always ask, "who's in charge?" Funding and Sustainability: The bigger the org, the more funding it needs. And the funding comes from somewhere. If not grants, then bike sales or donations. But still it has to be funded. A small volunteer collective with donated or free space is still funded by the donor of the space. The sources of funding may be an issue, but we have decided that we need to diversify our funding so it's not all recycled-bike sales. But our goal is not to get big, but to do a better job of what we do, increase our capacity to do more, and to keep it sustainable. It's definately a learning process. And I look forward to reading that book, The Revolution Will Not Be Funded. John Sibley Bike Depot St. Paul, MN ----- Original Message ----- From: "rachael spiewak" <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:31:36 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] "job" openings at your co-op Here are some quick answers from Sopo. We pay one person right now to be our executive director (that's me), but the role is more like a facilitator or manager. My job includes specific tasks that I do and coordinating volunteers to do what they do. On the administrative end, I: *do most of our correspondence and communication oriented things *manage our budget and banking *do our grantseeking and most of the event planning *keep up with donor relations *keep up with all y'all for new ideas *recruit and coordinate the big volunteer picture *keep up with volunteers to make sure they're getting what they need *order shop supplies *and other sort of mundane nonprofit management stuff. Then, in the shop, I'm always there, I match volunteers with individuals who need help, match volunteers with other things to do in the shop, work with volunteers to address conflict resolution oriented things. Volunteers facilitate our volunteer orientation, keep the shop running, do our outreach, and help out with lots of the stuff I do. Our board is made up of active volunteers who are specifically helping with finances, HR, and fundraising. I make $30k a year, which so far has been surprisingly easy to fundraise without compromising our policy about avoiding corporate money and financial support from entities whose values don't match ours. In many ways, my job pays for itself. In the nonprofit world, it appears that organizations get taken more seriously if they have an ED. It's a tricky line to walk, but I think we're making it work for us (suggested reading: The Revolution Will Not Be Funded). We started this during the third quarter of 2007 on a trial basis. The agreement was that if the money could be found for the next quarter and everything was going fine, we could roll it out for another 3 months. Six months deep we had enough money to keep it going through the end of the year, and by the end of the year we had funding for a bunch more years. As for decision making: the community has that power. I'm entrusted to do what I do with the understanding that I have a particular skill set, experience with this stuff, education, yadda yadda.. as in, I'm qualified to do my job. But if things at the shop need to change, we deal with it at our general meetings. If I was doing a lousy job, the community could fire me via the Board. It's funny how power relations are so entrenched, because I overhear people in the shop explaining that I'm in charge, and I have to get in there and explain that "I just work here." Sometimes I have to be the enforcer and ask someone to take a hike when it comes down to it (which everyone gets a kick out of since even our kiddos are bigger than me...and I say things like "kiddos"). I think that my job is to support the work of the volunteers, so that's my approach. I feel empowered to do my job, I feel empowered by my job, I feel rewarded by what I get to do for a living, and I feel that my role in the shop is special in its own way, but we're not feeling any hierchical weirdness. Hope this helps, Rachael On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 11:02 AM, Boson Au < instructions(a)gmail.com > wrote: so the recent job opening at the bike kitchen in LA reminded me of something I'd very much like to discuss at bikebike, namely how, if you, compensate managers. Currently our collective members are de facto managers, and the recent influx of new volunteers/people in our shop is making some of us think about the possibility of creating a manager role. Right now we have no way to pay this person, but that might change in the future. so I guess if yall have a minute, can you tell me a little about how your organization deals with it? specifically, if you do offer compensation, does it affect their decisiion making powers? I noticed that the bike kitchen's job opening states that the person would not have executive decisionl, and I can see why since that person's power is already pretty great considering they'd be the manager of the shop. anyways, this is something I'm really interested in and want to pursue @ bikebike. -B _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… -- 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 _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

1 0

DesGua Bike tour through central america--interest poll thing
by Erik Stockmeier 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Good afternoon, comrades- So a friend of mine from Guatemala is trying to organize a bike tour from guatemala to panama from november 1 to mid-december. The tour would be visiting local social movements along the way and have an explicitly political purpose, and he asked me to help out, to try and gage interest on it and such. He's currently talking to Just Coffee about some kind of sponsorship and the attachment elaborates on some of the questions he has for potentially interested parties, as well as more general information (but more elaborate than i can squeeze in on my lunch break over here). Some other questions I have (I have a meeting with him on sunday before he returns to guatemala): is there interest in this around? what about the timing? I'm concerned about it being so soon. would any other bike coops/collectives/etc be interested in somehow supporting it? It looks like an awesome experience at any rate. Anyhow, sorry for being so brief and sloppy, but like i said... lunch break. Erik @the recyclery

1 0

Job Opening at Cycles of Change APC in the SF Bay Area
by Cycles of Change APC 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Cycles of Change APC Bike Shop seeks a Bicycle Repair Coordinator to join our fantastic, fast-paced and friendly grassroots, not-for-profit community bike shop in Alameda. The shop provides people of all backgrounds and ages earn-a-bike and job training programs, do-it-together repair access, bicycle donation drop-off and much more! The shop offers a full-range of services which fund the shop including sales of used bicycle and parts, and comprehensive bicycle repair services. We seek a staff person who will professionally and productively repair bicycles. The Cycles of Change APC shop has been thriving and this position is critical to its ongoing success. The primary responsibilities of this position are: • Repairs: o Repair a very wide range of used bicycles professionally and efficiently. o Excellent familiarity with compatibility and quality of used bicycle components. • Sales o Sell refurbished bicycles to people of all incomes and backgrounds from all over the Bay Area. • Saturday shop o Staff our community shop on Saturdays in order to assist with bike sales and helping visitors. • Active team member o This job requires that you have the passion for expertly repairing bikes, and that you deeply believe in the mission of the project. Following qualities are some which are important for success at this position: • Able to communicate effectively and patiently with people of all ages, backgrounds, preferences and income levels individually and in groups whether selling a bike, meeting with other staff/volunteers or teaching a young person how to fix a flat. • Ability to stay organized and grounded while multi-tasking. • Able to travel to Alameda 3-4 times per week, including Saturdays from 10am-5pm. • Commitment to recycling, reusing and reducing consumption in carrying out the work. • Strong desire to promote bicycle use as a strategy to strengthen the health and sustainability of communities. HOW TO APPLY: In order to apply for this position, please send or email, your resume and a brief letter of introduction about your interest and experience to: Email: bikeshop(a)apcollaborative.org See our craigslist posting at: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/npo/1274851559.html www.myspace.com/cyclesapc Mailing address: Cycles of Change APC 677 W. Ranger Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 COMPENSATION: This position pays $15/hour for between 12-20 hours per week. There are no additional benefits to this position currently, and we’re working on offering health benefits soon! There may be opportunities for increased hours in the Fall. We are an equal opportunity employer. Women, People of Color, and people with experience working w/ African-American and/or formerly homeless people and Alameda residents are strongly encouraged to apply! -- Cycles of Change APC Bike Shop 650 W.Ranger Ave Alameda, Ca 94501 (510) 898-7830 www.apcollaborative.org/cycles.htm www.myspace.com/cyclesapc

1 0

DesGua Bike tour through central america--interest poll
by Erik Stockmeier 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Good afternoon, comrades- So a friend of mine from Guatemala is trying to organize a bike tour from guatemala to panama from november 1 to mid-december. The tour would be visiting local social movements along the way and have an explicitly political purpose, and he asked me to help out, to try and gage interest on it and such. He's currently talking to Just Coffee about some kind of sponsorship and the attachment elaborates on some of the questions he has for potentially interested parties, as well as more general information (but more elaborate than i can squeeze in on my lunch break over here). Some other questions I have (I have a meeting with him on sunday before he returns to guatemala): is there interest in this around? what about the timing? I'm concerned about it being so soon. would any other bike coops/collectives/etc be interested in somehow supporting it? It looks like an awesome experience at any rate. Anyhow, sorry for being so brief and sloppy, but like i said... lunch break. Erik @the recyclery

2 1

"job" openings at your co-op
by Boson Au 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

so the recent job opening at the bike kitchen in LA reminded me of something I'd very much like to discuss at bikebike, namely how, if you, compensate managers. Currently our collective members are de facto managers, and the recent influx of new volunteers/people in our shop is making some of us think about the possibility of creating a manager role. Right now we have no way to pay this person, but that might change in the future. so I guess if yall have a minute, can you tell me a little about how your organization deals with it? specifically, if you do offer compensation, does it affect their decisiion making powers? I noticed that the bike kitchen's job opening states that the person would not have executive decisionl, and I can see why since that person's power is already pretty great considering they'd be the manager of the shop. anyways, this is something I'm really interested in and want to pursue @ bikebike. -B

3 2

Job Opening at Bicycle Kitchen (los angeles)
by james blesdoe 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Only complete applications will be considered and all applications should be sent to BicycleKitchenJob(a)gmail.com. Below is the text of the announcement, included in the attached file with a questionnaire (available attached or via internet download). Thank you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BICYCLE KITCHEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR OPERATIONS FACILITATOR The Bicycle Kitchen is hiring for the first time in its history. The Operations Facilitator (OpsFac) position is full-time for one year. It is not an executive director position. What is the Bicycle Kitchen? The Bicycle Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to promote the bicycle as a fun, safe and accessible form of transportation, to foster healthy urban communities, and to provide a welcoming space to learn about building, maintaining and riding bicycles in Los Angeles. Our space offers tools, stands and parts while our volunteers provide guidance in bicycle building and repair. More than 45 of these volunteers—known as “Cooks”—work regular weekly shifts, logging more than 5,000 hours and serving as many as 10,000 clients annually. What is the job? The Bicycle Kitchen has been awarded a capacity building grant to hire one full-time staff person for one year. The OpsFac will support the organization's daily operations through a variety of administrative, financial and logistical duties, including inventory and processing donations. This position will interface directly with clients, volunteers and the community. The OpsFac will report to the board of directors and work closely with many members of the volunteer staff. The largest project over the course of the year will be creating an operations manual to streamline and standardize regular operations. The OpsFac should be personable and adaptable to different duties as they arise. This position has a fixed term of one year, with the possibility of continuation dependent on future funding. Compensation range is $34-38,000/year plus health benefits. What are the qualifications? Applicants must: • Be at least 18 years of age • have a working knowledge of Microsoft/Open Office, Mac OS X, and Windows • have an interest in bicycle mechanics • be personable and work well with others People with experience in customer service, legal services, grant-seeking, community outreach, bicycle repair, accounting, QuickBooks and nonprofit management are encouraged to apply. Computer programming and multilingual abilities are a bonus. We’d like it if you ride a bicycle. How do I apply? Apply to BicycleKitchenJob(a)gmail.com. Your application should contain the following attachments: - A cover letter explaining what makes you a good candidate for the job (limit 500 words) - A resume with relevant qualifications - List of References including name, relationship to applicant, job title, phone and email - A completed application questionnaire downloaded from this link (or find it attached): http://www.mediafire.com/?nhwfnqmymmm (then click “Click Here to Start Download” to download the file) Incomplete applications or stand-alone resumes will not be considered. You will receive a confirmation of receipt via email. Once you’ve received your confirmation of receipt, please wait for us to contact you regarding further steps. PLEASE ATTACH ALL DOCUMENTS as .pdf files, including your cover letter. Please type in the blanks on the questionnaire and save it with your name (Smith_John_Questionaire) in the filename. The top 5-10 candidates will be notified that they are being brought in for interviews by August 28. First round interviews will take place Fri-Sat September 4-5, and 2nd round (final) interviews will take place September 6. Final decision will be announced by September 12, with the position to begin ASAP but no later than October 1, 2009. Thank You! This will be a fun and rewarding job working with cool people in a great community. Good luck. -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Bicipandilla mailing list Bicipandilla(a)bicyclekitchen.com http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/bicipandilla

2 1

Volunteer Disciplinary Procedure/Conflict Resolution
by Maggie Burrus-Granger 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

Hi, Does anyone have a Volunteer Disciplinary Procedure or detailed Conflict Resolution plan that outlines how to deal with volunteers breaking bylaws/handbook rules/procedures etc. We're trying to write our bylaws and operating procedures and would like to include a process for such situations. Thanks, Maggie -- Maggie Burrus-Granger Recycle-a-Bike Program Coordinator 27 Sims Ave. Providence, RI 02909 401.273.7101 www.recycleabike.org

2 1

getting to know each other ideas for bike!bike!
by rachael spiewak 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Hi, everyone. After attending a handful of Bike!Bike! conferences and putting on a regional one, it seems to me that folks are looking for opportunities to: 1. tell their own bike shop stories, 2. have those stories be heard, and 3. get to know other shops with stories that resonate with them. I think facilitating some of that up front will make workshops move along faster and go deeper, and it would help us find that magical person we needed to talk to about whatever nagging issue's been bothering us. At BBSE we did a conference-wide go-around of introductions and then we broke out into pairs to share bike shop stories, which seemed to go really well. I think we could take it a few steps farther if folks are into it: 1. It might be nice to have info booths or tables for all of the shops if there's a big common area available at the conference. Then you could move about, see photos or slide shows, put faces to names, and show off what you're proud of at your shop. We did this at an community arts gathering in Atlanta a few weeks ago, and it was pretty great. It might lend to developing a few ad hoc workshops or post-conference partnerships. 2. And it might be nice to have a big map and push pins to get a visual geographic depiction of who's present. Anyway, just putting some ideas out there so we can get the most out of sharing a short period of with each other. Looking forward to it! 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

3 2

Bike Maintenance Classes
by Jason Tanzman 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Hi everybody, I'm putting together a workshop for Bikebike on how to organize and teach bike maintenance classes, and I would love some feedback from different sho Stps on their community education programs. Info I'm interested in includes: -Do you charge for your classes? If so, how much? -How many hours/weeks does your class last? -How many participants do you allow in each class? How many staff/core volunteers help teach the class? -How regularly do you offer classes? -How do you publicize your classes? -What classes do you offer? (Basic Bike Maintenance? Wheel Building? Safe Cycling/Commuting classes? Advanced Mechanics classes? I work with Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul, MN; we teach all our classes for free which has been awesome. We've thought about charging for classes but decided that the benefits of bringing new people into the shop and educating current volunteers outweighs the revenues that we might get from charging for classes. We also receive about $1800 per year from a free community education program in the Twin Cities for teaching classes for free, which helps offset our costs of paying staff to teach classes. I would love to get information/feedback! Jason Tanzman Sibley Bike Depot www.sibleybikedepot.org

6 5

Bicycle Repair Coordinator Job Posting at Cycles of Change APC in the SF Bay Area
by Cycles of Change APC 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Cycles of Change APC Bike Shop seeks a Bicycle Repair Coordinator to join our fantastic, fast-paced and friendly grassroots, not-for-profit community bike shop in Alameda. The shop provides people of all backgrounds and ages earn-a-bike and job training programs, do-it-together repair access, bicycle donation drop-off and much more! The shop offers a full-range of services which fund the shop including sales of used bicycle and parts, and comprehensive bicycle repair services. We seek a staff person who will professionally and productively repair bicycles. The Cycles of Change APC shop has been thriving and this position is critical to its ongoing success. The primary responsibilities of this position are: • Repairs: o Repair a very wide range of used bicycles professionally and efficiently. o Excellent familiarity with compatibility and quality of used bicycle components. • Sales o Sell refurbished bicycles to people of all incomes and backgrounds from all over the Bay Area. • Saturday shop o Staff our community shop on Saturdays in order to assist with bike sales and helping visitors. • Active team member o This job requires that you have the passion for expertly repairing bikes, and that you deeply believe in the mission of the project. Following qualities are some which are important for success at this position: • Able to communicate effectively and patiently with people of all ages, backgrounds, preferences and income levels individually and in groups whether selling a bike, meeting with other staff/volunteers or teaching a young person how to fix a flat. • Ability to stay organized and grounded while multi-tasking. • Able to travel to Alameda 3-4 times per week, including Saturdays from 10am-5pm. • Commitment to recycling, reusing and reducing consumption in carrying out the work. • Strong desire to promote bicycle use as a strategy to strengthen the health and sustainability of communities. HOW TO APPLY: In order to apply for this position, please send or email, your resume and a brief letter of introduction about your interest and experience to: Email: bikeshop(a)apcollaborative.org See our craigslist posting at: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/npo/1274851559.html www.myspace.com/cyclesapc Mailing address: Cycles of Change APC 677 W. Ranger Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 COMPENSATION: This position pays $15/hour for between 12-20 hours per week. There are no additional benefits to this position currently, and we’re working on offering health benefits soon! There may be opportunities for increased hours in the Fall. We are an equal opportunity employer. Women, People of Color, and people with experience working w/ African-American and/or formerly homeless people and Alameda residents are strongly encouraged to apply!

1 0

City Support
by 1304bikes 21 Jul '09

21 Jul '09

We at 1304bikes here in Raleigh recently had our shop shut down by the city due to zoning/building code issues. We are currently regrouping and fundraising, while trying to find a new space. We like to hear from other shops as to what kind of support you get from the cities you are located in (the actual city government, not the people in it). Whether it be donated space, money, or just good will. We are hoping to get some info about relationships that other shops have with their respective cities to use in our attempt to find a new location. Thanks all! -Doug -- 1304bikes www.1304bikes.org

5 4

Re: [TheThinkTank] How do you keep track of your in kind donations?
by Clifford McCarten 17 Jul '09

17 Jul '09

For clarification (particularly on balance sheets) "in-kind" is not a blanket term to use whenever there is something exchanged in w/o cash. There is a critical distinction between donations coming in to your org, and donations going out that your org makes. "In-kind expenses" represent donations coming in to your shop (i.e., they are assets you've received that you would have otherwise had to pay for). "In-kind donations/contributions" represent donations your shop is making out into the world. Also, importantly, you can't consider trades to be donations because you have the same on-paper asset value at the end of the transaction. Cheers, Clifford McCarten Co-Director, B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop communitybikeshop.org 400 Wolfe St, Peterborough ON K9J 2P3 (705) 748-6681

2 1

How do you keep track of your in kind donations?
by rachael spiewak 17 Jul '09

17 Jul '09

Hi, everyone. Gotta bookkeeping question for you. How do you keep track of your in kind donations, especially used items? Do you log every item? How do you assign value? Help me finish this sentence: The annual cost of stocking Awesome Bike Co-op's community bike repair shop is $X. Funding sources and amounts include: $X - self-generated funds $X - foundation funds $X - in kind donations I can assign numbers to everything but the in kind donations because we haven't tracked them, and a grant application is asking for this information. It looks like it would be good practice anyway. On the other hand, donations kind of come and go. People drop off handlebars and pick up a saddle with a total lack of formality. Should we exclude trades and stick only to the more formal donations (a box of parts, for example)? It would be easiest to restrict it to bike donations. Thoughts? 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

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] How do you keep track of your in kind donations?
by james blesdoe 16 Jul '09

16 Jul '09

we have a computer program that will generate a receipt when a Donner asks for one. we make a simple note saving for instance; one trek 4000 bicycle and two bicycle wheels. we do not assign a value or go into any detail concerning condition or quality. we also do not connect the donation to subsequent sales or disposal of the donations. jim bicycle kitchen los angeles --- On Thu, 7/16/09, reno bikes <renobikeproject(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: reno bikes <renobikeproject(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] How do you keep track of your in kind donations? To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 9:50 AM poorly, to say the least On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 9:01 AM, rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> wrote: Hi, everyone. Gotta bookkeeping question for you. How do you keep track of your in kind donations, especially used items? Do you log every item? How do you assign value? Help me finish this sentence: The annual cost of stocking Awesome Bike Co-op's community bike repair shop is $X. Funding sources and amounts include: $X - self-generated funds $X - foundation funds $X - in kind donations I can assign numbers to everything but the in kind donations because we haven't tracked them, and a grant application is asking for this information. It looks like it would be good practice anyway. On the other hand, donations kind of come and go. People drop off handlebars and pick up a saddle with a total lack of formality. Should we exclude trades and stick only to the more formal donations (a box of parts, for example)? It would be easiest to restrict it to bike donations. Thoughts? 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 _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… -- www.renobikeproject.com Wed-Sat 11-6pm 541 E. 4th Street. Reno, NV 89512 775.323.4488 Please let us know if you would like to unsubscribe to our email list. -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

2 1

volunteer appreciation party
by MoBo Bicycle Co-op 16 Jul '09

16 Jul '09

Hello all, I'm from MoBo Bicycle Co-op in Cincinnati. We're an all volunteer run organization. Every year we like to throw a volunteer appreciation party to celebrate all the volunteers who bust their bust to make MoBo happen. The problem is, it ends up being the core volunteers who throw the event. We're brainstorming ways to have a fun event, that is moderately priced, that we don't have to put too much planning into. Any ideas? Lucia -- MoBo Bicycle Co-op a project of The Village Green Foundation 1415 Knowlton Ave Northside Cincinnati, OH

2 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] [MBAC] Fwd: [People] The Alliance Needs Your Help to Earn
by noah 13 Jul '09

13 Jul '09

In response to all the negativity about Twitter, this is a worthwhile read. http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-other-half-writes-in-defense-of.ht…

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] [MBAC] Fwd: [People] The Alliance Needs Your Help to Earn $42K
by R2carbaugh＠aol.com 13 Jul '09

13 Jul '09

Just shoot me right now if I have to use Twitter for anything. Robin Carbaugh ************** Looking for love this summer? Find it now on AOL Personals. (http://personals.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntuslove00000003)

3 2

Fwd: [People] The Alliance Needs Your Help to Earn $42K
by Jonathan Morrison 10 Jul '09

10 Jul '09

Help raise money for national bicycle advocacy using Twitter! 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. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jeremy Grandstaff <jeremy(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org> Date: Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 12:41 PM Subject: [People] The Alliance Needs Your Help to Earn $42K To: people(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org *The Alliance Needs Your Help to Earn $42K * <http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/images/uploads/42Below.jpg>[image: image]<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/images/uploads/42Below.jpg><http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/images/uploads/42Below.jpg>The Alliance is thrilled to announce an exciting challenge from 42BELOW Vodka. If 100,000 people sign up to follow their 42Ride across the U.S. this summer on Twitter, <http://twitter.com/WeLikeBike42> 42BELOW will make a $42K donation to the Alliance for Biking & Walking. I wanted to write to each of you with a reminder of the details, or you can also find them at www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/42below<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/42below> . The 42Ride began in Mid-June, by sending 42 cyclists from New York, south to Philadelphia, and then they split in to two groups of 21 riders heading westwards, one touring the north and one touring the south. Participants will pedal an impressive total of 4,017 miles across the country from New York City to Los Angeles, witnessing some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer. · Download a copy of the route map.<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/images/uploads/Route42_Map.pdf>(PDF) · Follow the northern route riders<http://mikeywally.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/42-ride-blogroll/> · Follow the southern route riders.<http://mikeywally.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/southern-route-42-ride-blogroll/> The Alliance is asking all our members, supporters, and biking enthusiasts to support biking and walking by signing up to follow the 42Ride on twitter at http://twitter.com/WeLikeBike42. In addition, local Alliance groups are encourage to work with the 42 Ride administrators to take part in events that are coming to your neighborhood. · Download the list of upcoming welcome parties<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/images/uploads/42BELOW_Biking_and…> · The attachment above lists all contact information for your organization to get involved with local events. If the challenge is met, the Alliance will use the $42K donation to further its work strengthening and uniting grassroots biking and walking advocacy organizations across North America. *Sign up on Twitter to follow the ride and support grassroots biking and walking advocacy! <http://twitter.com/WeLikeBike42>* For more information on this exciting partnership, feel free to contact me via email or phone. And, have a great weekend. Jeremy Grandstaff Member Services Director *Alliance for Biking and Walking* Formerly known as the Thunderhead Alliance PO Box 65150, Washington, DC 20035 | Visit us in person at 1612 K. St., Suite 802 Office: 202-449-9692 | Cell: 614-519-3026 | Fax: 202-223-3181 jeremy(a)PeoplePoweredMovement.org * * *Visit www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org <http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/>for information about the Advocacy Advance Grants * _______________________________________________ People mailing list Unsubscribe: People-unsubscribe(a)lists.peoplepoweredmovement.org List Info: http://lists.peoplepoweredmovement.org/listmanager/listinfo/people

1 0

Help plan a charity event: How far can you coast?
by Carl Voss 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

Greetings from Des Moines! The Des Moines Bicycle Collective will sponsor a charity event on Saturday, Aug. 29 on the eve of a criterium race in our capitol city. The East Coast: How far can you coast down a steep hill from the Iowa State Capitol? (The capitol is located in our city's East Village. We are, of course, far removed from either coast. Flip the chain off the chainwheel at let 'er go! Top coasters will win a coasters. Weight won't be the only factor. There's a fairly good flat section that will even things out from the big riders. Tuck, steering, cone adjustment should be factors-we're just not sure how much. We haven't figured out what categories/divisions that will make this a fun event. That's where you come in--your chance to weigh in (so to speak). Categories by: age? bike type? gender? weight? (could be tricky with a scale) We think we can do better than a one-time "Lard Arse" event (coast down the local Soap Box Derby hill) held here years ago. With your helpful suggestions, of course. Carl Des Moines Bicycle Collective carlvoss(a)mac.com Mobile: 515-210-0237

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum?
by troy neiman 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

I am getting ready to put a wheel building class together. I was thinking about charging $30-$40 dollars to those who are building wheels for themselves and $15-20 for those who build a wheel for the shop to use. This would be similar to the set up that Rich at Community Cycles mentioned ( three 2 hour classes ) that way the first class can be about wheels, rims, hubs and measuring spokes so that folks can buy or find the materials they need before the next class. I also liked the way Ellie at the Bike Church taught the wheel-building workshop at BikeBike last year. The rims and hubs and spokes were already picked out and the groups had to find the correct spoke length before they could get the spokes. Then they were able to learn lacing and tension, etc. This makes for a faster class and having all your materials ready cuts down on time and unexpected mistakes. You could charge less or nothing for this and still end up with a few wheels for the shop at the end. Troy NeimanBICAS ----- Original Message ----- From: bovineoaks(a)aol.com To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum? Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:51:22 -0400 Each student has different needs for the wheels they put on their bicycles. It is hard to buy a bunch of rims and hubs that will make each rider happy. I let them choose rims and hubs they want and get them from other shops if I can not provide the materials. I am providing the Education Materials or the Wheel Building Class, That is enough. If I can supply the materials also, that is just dandy too. Lots of shops out there can supply materials but not education. -----Original Message----- From: allison karow <bike.saviours(a)gmail.com> To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Sent: Mon, Jul 6, 2009 2:08 am Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum? What about buying new parts and then giving the students the option of buying the wheel at your shop's price minus the cost of the class? On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 4:20 PM, Sam Santos <lalato(a)gmail.com> wrote: Hi Rich, Why not do both, depending on what the student can afford? We did a couple of a free wheel building classes for our volunteers using parts that were lying around. One way to avoid problems that might crop up with used parts is to have the students deconstruct a wheel prior to the class. That way they will be working with all the parts from the same wheel thereby reducing any potential problems. Good luck with the class! --sam On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 4:27 PM, Rich Points <rich(a)communitycycles.org> wrote: Hey All, We're developing a wheel building class here at Community Cycles. We have a rough idea of what we'd like to do but we could use some help smoothing it out. We're thinking the class would be three 2 hour sessions at a cost of $X to 6 - 8 students. We've thought of two ways to go about supplies for the class. One would be to use recycled rims, hubs, nipples and maybe spokes. Another way would be to buy the parts from our wholesalers. The latter option means we could have control of what the class is working with. The former option could mean a lot more on the fly problem solving for the instructor and class but it'd be a lot cheaper for us and our students. I'm leaning towards the new parts option because I think it'll provide the highest quality of instruction. What do you guys think? Another question we're trying to figure out is what happens to the wheels that get built in the class. At our shop we're always in dire need of 700cc wheels. So we're thinking the class could build 700 wheels and they'd be used by the shop. However people taking the class may want to build wheels that they'd keep as their own. If we structure the class to just build 700 fronts we have more consistency and control. If we let folks build wheels for their own projects the class might have more general appeal but presents logistical and supplies hurdles. Please let us know how your shop is teaching wheel building. Ride On! -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 303-589-0597 (C) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html Make your ride count! Register for Bike to Work Day June 24, 2009 http://www.drcog.org/btwd2009/index.cfm?page=Register _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… -------------------------------------------------------------------- Save energy, paper and money -- get the Green Toolbar. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: 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

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] 'rental' bikes
by troy neiman 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

At BICAS we have a fleet of rental bikes that are mostly coaster brake bikes of varied sizes. They are spray painted all different colors so that they are ugly and easy to spot. We have a name plate welded inside the main triangle that says BICAS RENTAL and has our contact info. These rental bikes have been returned to us after being lost before but sometimes do go missing. We charge $5 per day or $20 for the week or about 30 min of work-trade per day. I joke around about how these rental bikes are gold mines but some of them that have been around for years but seriously I would not be surprised if some of these bikes have raised $500 dollars or more for our organization. And we are talking about heavy, single speed, ugly bikes with ripped up seats and solid tires. The lock situation was really hard because we used to buy locks and then end up with a bunch of locks and keys that did not match but then we started welding chains to the frame and pad locks to the chains. All the keys for the rental bikes are the same key so we don't have to match a key to the lock and if a key disappears then we only need to make a copy and not get a hole new lock. This has worked really well. We do sign people out for them and get a phone #, email, or ID # but its mostly just a formality than anything. No deposits are taken. Troy Neiman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Giordano" To: "The Think Tank" Subject: [TheThinkTank] 'rental' bikes Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:22:25 -0600 (MDT) we do rentals with whatever is on hand. good income. $1/day, $5/week, $15/month, negotiate for longer. most come back. some marked with 'free cycles checkout', some painted green. some with fenders, baskets etc. sometimes they do the work to get it rolling. no deposit- too messy. flexible. we also have a community fleet with 60 (mostly one speed, rear derailer limit screw cranked) bikes.... goes to large groups, like Korean and Japanese teachers coming to missoula next week thru university program. we had 500 helmets donated by hospital. not many takers. local gov't group gives us free blinky red lights. not great, but usable. sometimes we do locks, sometimes not. (we want to make our own!) we give brief training/ rules of roads to all... many times a really good bike will be a checkout for awhile, and then go into the build a bike program. -bob g. free cycles missoula. info(a)re-cycles.ca wrote: > > We take a similar approach and sell people a discounted AS-IS bike (tuned-up used department store bike) for around $40 Cdn if they promise to dontate it back when they are finished with it. This avoids a lot of hassles with tracking the rentals and with our lack of insurance coverage > for rentals. > > Chris Wells > (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) > _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: 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

1 0

OpenSprints: Logo Artist needed
by Jonathan Morrison 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

You may or may not know that there is an open source goldsprints / roller racing project out there called opensprints (www.opensprints.org). One thing that we are truly lacking is a quality (vector drawn) logo, if you are interested in helping with this please contact me. Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison

2 2

'rental' bikes
by Bob Giordano 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

we do rentals with whatever is on hand. good income. $1/day, $5/week, $15/month, negotiate for longer. most come back. some marked with 'free cycles checkout', some painted green. some with fenders, baskets etc. sometimes they do the work to get it rolling. no deposit- too messy. flexible. we also have a community fleet with 60 (mostly one speed, rear derailer limit screw cranked) bikes.... goes to large groups, like Korean and Japanese teachers coming to missoula next week thru university program. we had 500 helmets donated by hospital. not many takers. local gov't group gives us free blinky red lights. not great, but usable. sometimes we do locks, sometimes not. (we want to make our own!) we give brief training/ rules of roads to all... many times a really good bike will be a checkout for awhile, and then go into the build a bike program. -bob g. free cycles missoula. info(a)re-cycles.ca wrote: > > We take a similar approach and sell people a discounted AS-IS bike (tuned-up used department store bike) for around $40 Cdn if they promise to dontate it back when they are finished with it. This avoids a lot of hassles with tracking the rentals and with our lack of insurance coverage > for rentals. > > Chris Wells > (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) >

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Coming to PDX, need a bike to ride while there.
by info＠re-cycles.ca 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

We take a similar approach and sell people a discounted AS-IS bike (tuned-up used department store bike) for around $40 Cdn if they promise to dontate it back when they are finished with it. This avoids a lot of hassles with tracking the rentals and with our lack of insurance coverage for rentals. Chris Wells (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op 477 Bronson Ave. Ottawa info(a)re-cycles.ca http://www.re-cycles.ca/ --- On Fri, 7/3/09, veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Coming to PDX, need a bike to ride while there. > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Received: Friday, July 3, 2009, 8:37 PM > Community Cycles in Boulder doesn't > rent bikes, but we get asked about it all the time. Our work > around is that we'll sell you a bike and then you can > donate it back when you're done. No deposit, return it > in whatever shape. > > I don't know if we've had any takers to date, but > it evens out with our local bike rental places after about 5 > days or so. >

1 0

Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum?
by Rich Points 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

Hey All, We're developing a wheel building class here at Community Cycles. We have a rough idea of what we'd like to do but we could use some help smoothing it out. We're thinking the class would be three 2 hour sessions at a cost of $X to 6 - 8 students. We've thought of two ways to go about supplies for the class. One would be to use recycled rims, hubs, nipples and maybe spokes. Another way would be to buy the parts from our wholesalers. The latter option means we could have control of what the class is working with. The former option could mean a lot more on the fly problem solving for the instructor and class but it'd be a lot cheaper for us and our students. I'm leaning towards the new parts option because I think it'll provide the highest quality of instruction. What do you guys think? Another question we're trying to figure out is what happens to the wheels that get built in the class. At our shop we're always in dire need of 700cc wheels. So we're thinking the class could build 700 wheels and they'd be used by the shop. However people taking the class may want to build wheels that they'd keep as their own. If we structure the class to just build 700 fronts we have more consistency and control. If we let folks build wheels for their own projects the class might have more general appeal but presents logistical and supplies hurdles. Please let us know how your shop is teaching wheel building. Ride On! -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 303-589-0597 (C) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html Make your ride count! Register for Bike to Work Day June 24, 2009 http://www.drcog.org/btwd2009/index.cfm?page=Register

4 4

google squared useful for cataloging community bikes shops
by rachael spiewak 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

For the computery types on the list.. If you enter "community bike shop" (or bicycle collective, etc) into Google Squared, a nifty spreadsheet comes up with a handful of our shops. If anyone wants to take it on, it could be expanded to include everyone and all sorts of useful info. It might be a good way to answer some frequently asked questions, like "who has a youth earn-a-bike program?" or "what's your mission statement?". -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

6 8

Coming to PDX, need a bike to ride while there.
by Julian Beldotti 03 Jul '09

03 Jul '09

Hailing here from Fort Collins, CO. I'm about to take a quick reprieve from the small city life, to a big small city, and hang out in Portland for 10 days in July. Last time I was there and attempted to borrow a bike, citybikes or whatever wanted to charge me 15 bux a day. It wasn't very co-op friendly of them, I thought. So this time, I'm hollering at all ya'll in the Portland area who are bike co-op connected to see if I can borrow a bike while I'm there, so I don't have to take the rail everywhere. Holler. Julian.

6 6

Creative solutions for handling/storing shop pumps?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 03 Jul '09

03 Jul '09

We've got a number of donated, bought, and found floor pumps in our shop. A variety of brands, sizes, and shapes. Right now they just live in a corner, but they like to play the domino game and fall over themselves when someone goes to grab one. Does anyone have any creative things you've done to handle this problem? As always, pictures are great. Thanks! josh.

2 1

Hiring an employee / Advertising
by Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE 02 Jul '09

02 Jul '09

Hi All, Thanks for the advice a ways back on hiring mechanics as contractors. I may just be paranoid worrying about things but I have another employment question. Say a community bike shop wanted to hire a person for the summer to develop a board of directors as well as youth and free bike programming....Is this something we have to advertise publicly about or can we just make the decision as a collective and hire someone? We know someone that is perfect for the job (experience and enthusiasm), Thanks! Brian Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19802 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

3 2

Duzer Duz America - Bike Tour
by Ryan Guzy 30 Jun '09

30 Jun '09

I don't think this has been posted to the list before, I'm surprised Josh didn't let us know sooner :-) Ryan Van Duzer is riding a New Belgium three speed across the US raising money for Community Cycles in Boulder, filming for his blog and a newspaper, and doing bike advocacy. His blog and info are here: http://ryanvanduzer.com/ He's a really cool guy, we hung out and rode with him while he was in Tempe this past weekend, and he was at BICAS in Tucson today. While he was in town he did some filming at Bike Saviours and with another bike advocacy group I'm involved in, TBAG. Check out his route to see if he's coming your way, he should be heading through Las Cruces and Albuquerque next. <http://ryanvanduzer.com/>*Ryan Guzy* Bike Saviours Tempe, AZ www.bikesaviours.org

6 6

Website, hosting...
by Jason Moore 29 Jun '09

29 Jun '09

Hi, I'm with the Davis Bike Church and we are looking to setup a new website for our group (we've been using the daviswiki.org). I want a site that will allow anyone with permission to add content, allow for calendars, forms, online donations, etc, and have our own domain name and a decent amount of server space (~1GB) so we can use it to share files and documents. I want to run an open source content management system such as plone, joomla, drupal, etc to do these things and wanted to ask some questions about how other groups handle this: 1. Recommendations on which CMS if I've never used a CMS before? Which one offers functionality that bike collectives typically need? Which one is easiest for end users? 2. Where do you host your site? How much is it? Can non-profits get free or reduced price hosting? 3. Any other tips on website related stuff? Rev. Jason Moore Davis Bike Church

3 2

Business Licensing mumbo jumbo
by Erik at Recyclery 26 Jun '09

26 Jun '09

I know laws aren't all the same everywhere, but The Recyclery has been told that we will be needing a second-hand business license because we sell used bicycles and parts. We don't pay for anything used--everything is donation-only--and this would mean that we have to take IDs from every buyer and donor. There are a number of other prohibitive restrictions obviously aimed more toward pawn shops than charitable organizations, but our indepented 501(c)3 status hasn't gone through yet. As of now we are just planning on not holding sales in our new shop. Has anyone else had to grapple with this while trying to open as a "legitimate" business? erik -- The Recyclery Collective 7628 N Paulina Chicago, IL 60626 P: 773.262.5900 F: 773.751.5241 www.therecyclery.org

2 1

helmets, lights, locks, and other essential accessories
by rachael spiewak 25 Jun '09

25 Jun '09

Hi, everyone. For those who have distributor accounts, do you order and distribute helmets, lights, and locks? How does that work? -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

4 3

Cutting Bike Locks
by Scott Beardsley 25 Jun '09

25 Jun '09

I'm involved with the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen in California. We recently sealed a deal with the local Police to take 30-40 bikes/month off of their hands in return for working with troubled (meaning law-breaking) teens (something we're doing already anyways). I'm really excited about this and it'll bring even more exposure to our quickly growing shop/org along with giving us a ton of extra used parts. I have a question about breaking/cutting locks. Most of the bikes we will get still have locks (U-locks, chains, cables locks, etc) on them. What is the best way to remove these? Right now we are passing it on to the customer, but it'd be nice to at least have the proper tools if they wanted to DIY it. So far we have zero power tools in the shop. This might end up being the exception. What do we need to consider? Eye protection for everyone? Tell me how you handle these issues in your shop. Thanks! Scott

11 11

Wheel Building classes
by Jason Tanzman 24 Jun '09

24 Jun '09

Hi Rich and others, At Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul, MN we've taught a number of successful wheel building classes. We usually have 8-14 participants. We usually have two instructors (pretty much for all of our classes) which includes one mechanic with reasonable wheel building experience and one mechanic who works at Quality Bike Products in the Wheel Building division (so he is truly an expert). We've tried both used parts and new parts for our wheels; since we're usually low in 27" rear wheels, in our last class, we deconstructed 27" front rims (which are always in abundance) and rebuilt the rims with rear high flange Normandy hubs (in abundance off of old schwinns and others). This ended up not working super well - the single wall used rims did not rebuild well, and we had a couple wheels literally taco in my hands when I was attempting to de-tension spokes. We built a few wheels using the rear normandy hubs and new Sun CR18 rims - those worked way better. We used new spokes for all wheel builds. In general, wheel building is pretty hard to teach, especially if you're using used rims. For future wheel building classes, I think we will build with all new parts - we've built a number of track wheels using dimension/formula hubs - it comes to around $65/wheel wholesale in parts but you can sell those wheels for $100-120, or put them on old road bikes and add value (especially if your shop is having trouble getting decent bikes donated for your sales floor). You can also charge $20 for parts/materials for the class to offset the investment in expensive new parts - that's what we do (registration is free for all classes, except for the parts/materials offset for wheel classes). We have always let people purchase parts at retail prices and build wheels for themselves - it gives us a bit of revenue, and people get to build something that they can keep. Jason Tanzman jtanzman(a)riseup.net 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. Cutting Bike Locks (Scott Beardsley) > 2. Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum? (Rich Points) > 3. Re: Cutting Bike Locks (Stuart O Anderson) > 4. Re: Cutting Bike Locks (reno bikes) > 5. Re: Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum? (Sam Santos) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:25:22 -0700 > From: Scott Beardsley <scott(a)sacbikekitchen.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Cutting Bike Locks > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <67b59b4e0906231525r103fccd9w6f9b84b37540e9b8(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > I'm involved with the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen in California. We > recently sealed a deal with the local Police to take 30-40 bikes/month > off of their hands in return for working with troubled (meaning > law-breaking) teens (something we're doing already anyways). I'm > really excited about this and it'll bring even more exposure to our > quickly growing shop/org along with giving us a ton of extra used > parts. I have a question about breaking/cutting locks. Most of the > bikes we will get still have locks (U-locks, chains, cables locks, > etc) on them. What is the best way to remove these? Right now we are > passing it on to the customer, but it'd be nice to at least have the > proper tools if they wanted to DIY it. So far we have zero power tools > in the shop. This might end up being the exception. What do we need to > consider? Eye protection for everyone? Tell me how you handle these > issues in your shop. > > Thanks! > Scott > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:27:16 -0600 > From: Rich Points <rich(a)communitycycles.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Anyone have a wheel building class curriculum? > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: <4A4156C4.6030207(a)communitycycles.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed" > > Hey All, > We're developing a wheel building class here at Community Cycles. We > have a rough idea of what we'd like to do but we could use some help > smoothing it out. > > We're thinking the class would be three 2 hour sessions at a cost of $X > to 6 - 8 students. > > We've thought of two ways to go about supplies for the class. One would > be to use recycled rims, hubs, nipples and maybe spokes. Another way > would be to buy the parts from our wholesalers. The latter option means > we could have control of what the class is working with. The former > option could mean a lot more on the fly problem solving for the > instructor and class but it'd be a lot cheaper for us and our students. > I'm leaning towards the new parts option because I think it'll provide > the highest quality of instruction. What do you guys think? > > Another question we're trying to figure out is what happens to the > wheels that get built in the class. At our shop we're always in dire > need of 700cc wheels. So we're thinking the class could build 700 > wheels and they'd be used by the shop. However people taking the class > may want to build wheels that they'd keep as their own. If we structure > the class to just build 700 fronts we have more consistency and > control. If we let folks build wheels for their own projects the class > might have more general appeal but presents logistical and supplies > hurdles. > > Please let us know how your shop is teaching wheel building. > > Ride On! > >

1 0

bylaws
by KRANK IT UP community bicycle shop 24 Jun '09

24 Jun '09

there is a new info shop opening here in tallahassee and they are working on bylaws so they can start working on their 501(c)3 and state nonprofit paperwork. the organization is a collective and i suggested setting up the board of directors as an advisory board that has no decision making ability, much like the yellow bike project in austin. my question is: do the bylaws have to contain the decision making methods of the collective, or can they just have information on the board and just state that decisions are made by the collective counsel? i guess the benefit would be that the collective can have be more fluid in its structure if its not contained in the bylaws, but if the board has no decision making ability, will the government accept bylaws without the collectives structure? justin krank it up! community bicycle project 663 industrial drive tallahassee, fl 32310 www.krankitup.info > From: thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org > Subject: Thethinktank Digest, Vol 34, Issue 27 > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:00:58 -0700 > > 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: Wheels and Truing Workspaces in your shop > (Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:37:23 -0400 > From: "Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE" <urbanbikeproject(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Wheels and Truing Workspaces in your shop > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <eddde2f70906211537s25a53615g25a59291d969dd52(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Here's a picture of our modest truing station...The cone wrenches reside > next to the station on the master toolkit, along with chain breakers and > other stuff. The whole setup is movable, though it usually stays right > where it is. As you can see, it tends to collect random junk/parts, like > all flat surfaces in the shop. > > Brian > > Urban Bike Project of Wilmington > -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- > 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) > Wilmington, DE 19802 > > Hours: > Thursday 6:30-9:00 > Saturday 1:00-4:00 > > Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org > > > On Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 1:45 PM, <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Here's a picture of the bicycle kitchen (LA)'s wheel truing "room",<http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ms7n82ikuU5mhdJSEq_aTA?authkey=Gv1sRgC…>taken when I was visiting late last year. > > > > The thing I liked most about it was the directional lighting above each > > stand. It's also set up at a sitting height, with chairs. Presumably, when > > you're using a truing stand, you'll be at it much longer than if you were at > > a vise or something. It's also outside of the normal flow of traffic/shop > > floor, so you can focus more readily on the wheel you're working on without > > being distracted. Very nice. > > > > > > On Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 11:07 AM, rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org>wrote: > > > >> We keep the cone wrenches by the stationary truing stand, and that's in > >> the back of the shop, so you have to travel a long way to get to those > >> wrenches. The box wrenches live near the front of the shop, far far away > >> from the cone wrenches. Seems to help. I do think people get hungry > >> sometimes and gnaw on the cone wrenches. > >> > >> The freewheel tools are in the center of the shop, next to the vice. > >> > >> -rachael > >> > >> > >> On Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 12:56 PM, Rich Points <rich(a)communitycycles.org>wrote: > >> > >>> Collectives, > >>> We're about to start digging into setting up our new space, specifically > >>> the wheel and truing station. Right now we have a dedicated work space for > >>> a truing stand, spokes and hubs but our cone wrenches, free wheel and > >>> cassette tools are mixed in with our general tool bench. Because of this > >>> our cone wrenches are often used for the most inappropriate jobs imaginable. > >>> We also have a couple extra truing stands that float around the shop. > >>> > >>> Now that we have a little more space we want to set up a wheels and > >>> truing area of the shop. I'd love to see photos of how you do this in your > >>> shops. > >>> > >>> Looking forward to your responses. > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Rich Points > >>> Community Cycles Director > >>> http://CommunityCycles.org > >>> Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org > >>> 720-565-6019 (W) > >>> 303-589-0597 (C) > >>> Donate your old car to Community Cycles > >>> http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html > >>> Make your ride count! Register for Bike to Work Day June 24, 2009 > >>> http://www.drcog.org/btwd2009/index.cfm?page=Register > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> Thethinktank mailing list > >>> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > >>> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > >>> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > >>> To manage your subscription, plase visit: > >>> > >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >>> > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> 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 > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Thethinktank mailing list > >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: > >> > >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > >> > >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to > > TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > > > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > >

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Cutting Bike Locks
by Will Wolfe 23 Jun '09

23 Jun '09

Sticking with the human powered method, we use a 4 1/2 ft. industrial grade, monster of a bolt cutter to get through U-locks and anything else that stands in the way. Don't know where it came from, but its quick and quiet. -Will 21st St. Coop Bike Project --- On Tue, 6/23/09, reno bikes <renobikeproject(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: reno bikes <renobikeproject(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Cutting Bike Locks To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 11:16 PM angle grinder with cutting wheel. On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 3:56 PM, Stuart O Anderson <soa(a)ri.cmu.edu> wrote: Bolt-cutters are low cost and pretty safe, and will get you through cables and chains. A hacksaw is slow and labor intensive but will eventually get you through a u-lock. An angle-grinder with a good cutting disc is my preferred tool for this work, although I wouldn't feel comfortable handing it to a random volunteer. If you do get an angle grinder, consider getting a 6" one so you can use it to cut up frames too, I've also heard (but never used myself) that a portable hand-held bandsaw (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20030896…) works well for this... Stuart On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 6:25 PM, Scott Beardsley<scott(a)sacbikekitchen.org> wrote: > I'm involved with the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen in California. We > recently sealed a deal with the local Police to take 30-40 bikes/month > off of their hands in return for working with troubled (meaning > law-breaking) teens (something we're doing already anyways). I'm > really excited about this and it'll bring even more exposure to our > quickly growing shop/org along with giving us a ton of extra used > parts. I have a question about breaking/cutting locks. Most of the > bikes we will get still have locks (U-locks, chains, cables locks, > etc) on them. What is the best way to remove these? Right now we are > passing it on to the customer, but it'd be nice to at least have the > proper tools if they wanted to DIY it. So far we have zero power tools > in the shop. This might end up being the exception. What do we need to > consider? Eye protection for everyone? Tell me how you handle these > issues in your shop. > > Thanks! > Scott > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives..org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… -- www.renobikeproject.com Wed-Sat 11-6pm 541 E. 4th Street. Reno, NV 89512 775.323.4488 Please let us know if you would like to unsubscribe to our email list. -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

1 0

collective call
by bike talk 22 Jun '09

22 Jun '09

Hi, I stopped writing our weekly emails to the thinktank list because some collectives were getting kind of cranky (pun!) about all the email and the local issues we put out, but I think this is a valid query: does anyone want to be part of a collective phone call, otherwise known as a conference call, about collective issues like spreadsheets, shop space, volunteers, structure, and management? I think we'd be doing it thurs. night. Nick -- please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0

Wheels and Truing Workspaces in your shop
by Rich Points 21 Jun '09

21 Jun '09

Collectives, We're about to start digging into setting up our new space, specifically the wheel and truing station. Right now we have a dedicated work space for a truing stand, spokes and hubs but our cone wrenches, free wheel and cassette tools are mixed in with our general tool bench. Because of this our cone wrenches are often used for the most inappropriate jobs imaginable. We also have a couple extra truing stands that float around the shop. Now that we have a little more space we want to set up a wheels and truing area of the shop. I'd love to see photos of how you do this in your shops. Looking forward to your responses. -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 303-589-0597 (C) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html Make your ride count! Register for Bike to Work Day June 24, 2009 http://www.drcog.org/btwd2009/index.cfm?page=Register

4 3

volunteer application
by Liza Mattana 20 Jun '09

20 Jun '09

Hey, Does anyone have a volunteer application they'd be willing to share? Pedals2People is finally seeing a lot of interest from possible volunteers, and we feel like we should have a more formal process for new folks. Before, it was all friends-of-friends showing up, but now we're actually growing (yay!) and meeting many new people. If there's a helpful application out there, please send it my way! Thanks, Liza -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

6 6

BICAS is hiring!
by troy neiman 18 Jun '09

18 Jun '09

Hiring Community Mechanic/Educator. 20hrs/week BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Action & Salvage) is a collectively-run non-profit community education and recycling center for bicycles. We are currently seeking a qualified mechanic to fill shifts in our community shop and co-coordinate womens and trans classes/workshops. Duties include: teaching bicycle repair skills, refurbishing bikes, coordinating volunteers, assisting customers, etc. Strong mechanical and personal skills, bilingual, and commitment for long term employment a plus. $8.50/hr. Accepting resumes until Aug 1st @ 44 W. 6th St (drop in or mail) or e-mail bicas(a)bicas.org. Call 628-7950 for more information. www.bicas.org. Love Peace and Bicycle Grease! -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com

1 0

"discrimination concern"
by Plan B 18 Jun '09

18 Jun '09

Hey y'all, This is Victor at Plan B down in Hot as Hell New Orleans (the new official name for the city). I just got this email, and it's almost laughable, but I wanna deal with it in by using an accountable and knowledgeable (and perhaps vicious) response. I'd love some ideas. Here's the email, in it's entirety. /While viewing your website, I have noted that tuesday nights are exclusive to women and transexuals- I hope that you are aware that as a non-profit this constitutes sexual discrimination. If you do not cancel this event, I may refer the situation to the ACLU. Thank You, Thomas Taylor /My gut instinct is to be a jerk. My original response started with the line, " Dear Big Dummy...." I'm not the best at responding to jerks, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks y'all! Overheated hugs and sweaty kisses, Victor

10 14

Shop Signage
by Erik Stockmeier 18 Jun '09

18 Jun '09

Hi- The Recyclery is almost finished moving into our new storefront and making some nice signs to help people understand who we are and what we do (among other things). I know we have all figured out much of this on our separate owns, but what kind of community shop-specific signs do we all have? is there a collection of them somewhere? I know the wiki is down... But specifically I'm thinking about the many "we will not fix your bike for you..." type signs. does anyone have any lists?

6 6

Hiring at Bikes Not Bombs
by arik grier 12 Jun '09

12 Jun '09

Bikes Not Bombs seeks to hire a Director of International Programs to oversee BNB’s overseas development work. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. Salary range is $32,000 – 35,000 based on experience. The Director of International Programs reports to the Executive Director. BNB is a vibrant, open, effective, and collaborative non-profit organization. Staff members and volunteers are determined and hardworking, the environment is fast-paced and friendly, and the work is demanding and rewarding. Professional development is considered a high priority, and we strive to achieve a strong sense of community and solidarity. Responsibilities: ➢ Develop and manage relationships with BNB’s new and existing international partners, including: o Identify and evaluate potential new overseas partners in terms of their capacity and potential to initiate, manage, and sustain a bicycle-based enterprise and/or educational project. o Develop Memoranda of Agreement that includes project timelines, budgets, fiscal agreements, guidelines, and expectations. o Recruit, train, supervise, and support BNB international trainers to provide intensive, on-the-ground assistance for new projects. o Evaluate projects’ progress and needs, and provide guidance and technical assistance on a regular and as-needed basis. ➢ Schedule and oversee logistics of material support of international projects, including: o Manage the procurement of tools, parts, and other items needed by international projects, securing shipping containers, coordinating and overseeing container loadings, recruiting volunteers, ensuring paperwork is properly completed, managing communication with custom officials, invoicing, and managing relationships with trucking companies and freight forwarders. o Manage bicycle procurement, preparation, and storage by working with other BNB staff and key volunteers. o Supervise and support volunteer Bike Drive Coordinator and Assistants in the planning and implementation of bike drives. o Manage issues related to BNB’s offsite storage, which is primarily used for bikes to be shipped overseas, including the use of this storage for Wednesday Volunteer Nights. o Help to coordinate and staff Wednesday Volunteer Nights, where volunteers process and store bikes to be shipped overseas. ➢ With the Executive Director and other development staff identify, report on, and solicit sources of support for the program, including grants and individuals: o Identify event opportunities to promote BNB’s international work; help to organize and staff events. o Cultivate and maintain relationships with major donors who have a specific interest in international work. o Help to develop strategies for new revenue streams (e.g., fee for service activities). ➢ Draft the International Programs’ annual budget; monitor expenses and provide quarterly reports to the Executive Director and International Committee; assist ED as needed with financial reporting and forecasting. ➢ Recruit members for BNB International Committee, coordinate and oversee involvement of each member, and schedule and facilitate monthly meetings. ➢ Facilitate and promote interaction between the International Program and other BNB departments, including: o Work with the BNB youth development programs to develop opportunities for cultural exchange and engaging local youth in international work and events. ➢ Develop and oversee efforts that help to spread Appropriate Technology designs among international partners, and share knowledge between them. o Stay up-to-date on latest research and innovations in the fields of bicycle-related and appropriate technology (AT). o Cultivate relationships with MIT’s Design Lab and key innovators – both individuals and institutions – in AT. The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics and experience: ➢ 3-5 years experience in the management of international projects with community-based partners ➢ Ability to be both a creative and strategic visionary as well as a practical thinker ➢ Self-motivated, highly organized, systems oriented ➢ Strong written and verbal communication skills in English ➢ Experience in international shipping procedures ➢ Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural competency, strong listening and negotiation skills ➢ Experience in program management and staff/volunteer supervision, with the ability to mentor, motivate, prioritize, and set clear expectations ➢ Facility with Macintosh computers, and experience using MS Word and Excel ➢ Must be willing and able to work some evenings and weekends ➢ Multi-lingual candidates (Spanish, Swahili, French, and Haitian Creole) highly preferred ➢ Knowledge of bike shop procedures, shop tooling, sales, bicycle assembly and repair operations ➢ Demonstrated commitment to alternative transportation, grass-roots organizations, and international development Please submit a cover letter and résumé to hiring(a)bikesnotbombs.org by June 22, 2009. Target start date is August 1. Bikes Not Bombs encourages applicants of diverse age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, physical ability, religion, and sexuality.

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour
by an undercover cop 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 > Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:01:53 -0400 > From: Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour > To: The Think Tank <Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <885e42c50906100901l60104ab1vd3484d32b6ad58d3(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hello! > > I'm going on a road trip at the end of June, partly for fun and partly for > research/networking, to Montreal, Vermont, Boston, and possibly NYC. I'd > love to tour any of the local shops, grab a drink, and share ideas. My > organization is currently undergoing a reworking process so this trip will > be crucial to help me see what works and doesn't work in other shops. I'm > beginning to do research on the social capital building possibilities of > local sustainability initiatives and I'd love to talk about that as well. If > you're interested, let me know! I look forward to meeting y'all. > > Alex Rosenblatt > Assistant Program Coordinator > Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles burlington, vt, (almost) my home town: http://bikerecycle.localmotion.org/ - -ben -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkowGScACgkQSfGaTCxqHXEpTQCcCQy4jXKQ71oy0a7nbOeoYeMH 8hQAn01Pwq+xY2ZUbjmWCwFqZ1dz1cCi =V3yI -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

1 0

bike related tencils
by Cascadian Fox 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Hello, Here are a few stencils we use during our vélorution (crital mass). enjoy, Fox

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour
by Mark Rehder 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Hey, Ottawa is only west of Montreal, not north. ;) Mark Rehder - Director re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op http://re-cycles.ca On 10-Jun-09, at 12:25 PM, info(a)re-cycles.ca wrote: > > Hello Alex, > > If you want to swing a little further north you are welcome to drop > by any time we are open. > > Chris Wells > (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) > > re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op > 477 Bronson Ave. Ottawa > > re-Cycles is open: > noon-5pm Mondays, 6pm-10pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays > (for volunteering, DIY, bike & parts sales & donation drop off) > We are now open 1pm-5pm Saturdays but (DIY's must be self sufficient). > > Bike sales and donation drop off also available during Cycle > Salvation hours: 9am-5:30pm Tuesday to Friday (BUT NO Volunteering > or DIY) > > info(a)re-cycles.ca > http://www.re-cycles.ca/ > > > --- On Wed, 6/10/09, Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> From: Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour >> To: "The Think Tank" <Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> >> Received: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 12:01 PM >> Hello! >> >> I'm going on a road trip at the end of June, partly for >> fun and partly for research/networking, to Montreal, >> Vermont, Boston, and possibly NYC. I'd love to tour any >> of the local shops, grab a drink, and share ideas. My >> organization is currently undergoing a reworking process so >> this trip will be crucial to help me see what works and >> doesn't work in other shops. I'm beginning to do >> research on the social capital building possibilities of >> local sustainability initiatives and I'd love to talk >> about that as well. If you're interested, let me know! I >> look forward to meeting y'all. >> >> >> Alex Rosenblatt >> Assistant Program Coordinator >> Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles >

2 1

Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour
by Alex Rosenblatt 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Hello! I'm going on a road trip at the end of June, partly for fun and partly for research/networking, to Montreal, Vermont, Boston, and possibly NYC. I'd love to tour any of the local shops, grab a drink, and share ideas. My organization is currently undergoing a reworking process so this trip will be crucial to help me see what works and doesn't work in other shops. I'm beginning to do research on the social capital building possibilities of local sustainability initiatives and I'd love to talk about that as well. If you're interested, let me know! I look forward to meeting y'all. Alex Rosenblatt Assistant Program Coordinator Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles

1 0

Switching Umbrella Organizations
by Alex Rosenblatt 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Hello All, Has anyone had experience with switching from one umbrella organization to another? We are currently considering undergoing this process and any examples of documents from other organizations who have underwent the same process would be a great help. Thanks alot, Alex Rosenblatt Assistant Program Coordinator Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles Ithaca, NY

1 0

Veer Documentary
by 1304bikes 08 Jun '09

08 Jun '09

So we recieved an email from the folks who created a bicycle documentary entitled Veer. http://www.veerthemovie.com They are offereing the film to bicycling organizations to use for fundraiser screenings. Since we have a local theatre that is down with our cause, and willing to let us use the theatre, we're considering showing this film. Does anyone have any experiance with the film? We're wondering if anyone has seen it, what they think, and if its something they would be comfortable hosting a screening of as a fundraiser for their shop. Has anyone done or been to a screening of this film, and if so how was the turnout and reception? Thanks! for 1304bikes, -Doug -- 1304bikes 2419 Mayview Rd. Raleigh, NC 1304bikes.org

3 2

On-site Bike Tuneups, do you charge?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 06 Jun '09

06 Jun '09

I know Community Cycles isn't the only bike organization out there who gets these (often uber last minute) requests to "just send over a bike mechanic to do some repairs at our event...". We've done this before, but as the weather gets warmer, we're seeing more requests. How do you handle these requests? Do you charge the event hosts? The cyclists? Thanks, hope the traffic on thinktank has been slow cause we're all super busy!!! josh.

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 34, Issue 6
by Jodie Banks 06 Jun '09

06 Jun '09

Hey Josh. At Off the Chain we do these sort of events for free and have a suggested donation amount and a donation box available during the event. Its good publicity for us and donations often turn up more money than a set amount. Everybody wins! Jodie Off the Chain Bicycle Co-op. On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 12:07 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. On-site Bike Tuneups, do you charge? (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 18:26:54 -0600 > From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com > Subject: [TheThinkTank] On-site Bike Tuneups, do you charge? > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <53e5a1720906051726q96f397al2ba214b7f00c4244(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > I know Community Cycles isn't the only bike organization out there who gets > these (often uber last minute) requests to "just send over a bike mechanic > to do some repairs at our event...". We've done this before, but as the > weather gets warmer, we're seeing more requests. > > How do you handle these requests? Do you charge the event hosts? The > cyclists? > > Thanks, hope the traffic on thinktank has been slow cause we're all super > busy!!! > > josh. >

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] bike talk
by Krista Bowers 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Works for me! > > > On Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Chris Wells <re-cycles(a)rogers.com> wrote: > >> >> I have no objections to that approach. >> >> Chris Wells >> (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) >> >> re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op >> 477 Bronson Ave. Ottawa >> >> info(a)re-cycles.ca >> http://www.re-cycles.ca/ >> >> >> --- On Mon, 6/1/09, bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> > From: bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> >> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] bike talk >> > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> >> > Received: Monday, June 1, 2009, 6:30 PM >> > to the people in thinktank, >> > sorry about the irrelevant posts. I understand your >> > interest in not >> > being kept updated about issues in other localities...would >> > you be >> > interested in a checklist of the show's topics once a >> > week? we are trying to represent all bike collectives. One >> > email a week would let us let you know if we are doing a >> > good job, and allow you to chime in if you have something to >> > add. >> > >> > p.s. thanks Krista and Josh, for your support! >> > Nick, biketalk! >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >> > > > > -- > Sincerely, > > Krista Bowers > Volunteer Coordinator > Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective > 2312 S. West Temple > Salt Lake City, UT 84115 > w: 801-328-2453 > c: 801-688-9379 > f: 801-466-3856 > krista(a)slcbikecollective.org > www.slcbikecollective.org > > Get Addicted to Crank! > http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ > -- Sincerely, Krista Bowers Volunteer Coordinator Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-9379 f: 801-466-3856 krista(a)slcbikecollective.org www.slcbikecollective.org Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] bike talk
by Chris Wells 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

I have no objections to that approach. Chris Wells (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op 477 Bronson Ave. Ottawa info(a)re-cycles.ca http://www.re-cycles.ca/ --- On Mon, 6/1/09, bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] bike talk > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Received: Monday, June 1, 2009, 6:30 PM > to the people in thinktank, > sorry about the irrelevant posts. I understand your > interest in not > being kept updated about issues in other localities...would > you be > interested in a checklist of the show's topics once a > week? we are trying to represent all bike collectives. One > email a week would let us let you know if we are doing a > good job, and allow you to chime in if you have something to > add. > > p.s. thanks Krista and Josh, for your support! > Nick, biketalk!

1 0

Bike Talk Radio - What to do with the nice stuff?
by Brad Gavigan 01 Jun '09

01 Jun '09

Hello, The crew here at Bike Talk radio have been following your discussion about what to do with the nice stuff that is donated to the collectives. We would like to recap and share this discussion on our show this weekend. Would anyone be interested in calling in this Saturday morning and sharing your thoughts? We would like to present a wide range of viewpoints - so basically the more people we hear from the better. We can arrange to call you if that works. Please send me an email if you are interested and please include your name (and how to pronounce it if needed) and a phone number where we can reach you Saturday morning between 10 and noon Pacific Time. Be prepared to tell us about your collective as well. We want to help spread the word. Best regards, Brad Gavigan gavigan(a)mac.com 310-795-4300 Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays (Los Angeles PDT). Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] 2009 bicycle plan update
by info＠re-cycles.ca 01 Jun '09

01 Jun '09

We would appreciate it if biketalk could maintain their own mailing list and stop posting to TheThinkTank list as none of their posts have had ANY relevance to our organization. (The vast majority of the other posts are relevant to us.) Chris Wells (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op 477 Bronson Ave. Ottawa info(a)re-cycles.ca http://www.re-cycles.ca/ --- On Sat, 5/30/09, bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: bike talk <livebiketalk(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] 2009 bicycle plan update > To: > Received: Saturday, May 30, 2009, 1:58 PM > See attachment. > > -- > please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. > Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, > 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the > podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html > See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org > To manage your subscription, plase visit: > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… >

8 7

2009 bicycle plan update
by bike talk 30 May '09

30 May '09

See attachment. -- please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0

Any suggestions for keeping track of volunteers?
by Alex Rosenblatt 28 May '09

28 May '09

Hello all, We are currently restructuring our organization and looking to up our efficiency. We have trouble keeping our paper based volunteer system up to date. We acquired a computer, and would like to set up an in-shop database system. Ideally, this would have a sign-in/sign-out function that records time spend in shop, which could be cross referenced with the volunteers contact information. This would eliminate paper use and cut out the extra step of manually entering information. I have checked out the Bicycle Kitchen's Freehub software, but I would prefer to have something that is locally based and easily customizable. How do your shops manage volunteer tracking? Any suggestions? Thanks a ton, Alex Rosenblatt Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles

2 1

bikes (and suits) on planes
by Bob Giordano 27 May '09

27 May '09

could try using your bike frame as a hanger for a jacket, put into a hanging bag, hung at the front of the plane in the closet. creative use of 'bike parts' if one is asked. wheels in carry on. could it work? Boson Au wrote: > Hi everyone, sorry for this potential spam but I don't really have any > other > resources to ask... > > I'm going to be in columbia, Missouri from next saturday on for the week > and > was wondering what options do I have of renting a bike there? will it > make > more sense for me to just suck up the large baggage fee and bring my own?

5 4

Bike options in Columbia, Missouri...
by Boson Au 26 May '09

26 May '09

Hi everyone, sorry for this potential spam but I don't really have any other resources to ask... I'm going to be in columbia, Missouri from next saturday on for the week and was wondering what options do I have of renting a bike there? will it make more sense for me to just suck up the large baggage fee and bring my own?

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] What to do with the nice stuff?
by Joshua Goran 24 May '09

24 May '09

I know that the co-op I am most familiar with, Ohio City Bike Co-op in Cleveland, OH has a showcase(s) or bin that the good parts go in, and it is used along with work-trading so that you can ONLY buy the good parts with labor, so that people can't just come in, flash money, and take all the goods that could be used as incentive for volunteers. That system makes the most sense to me. Josh On May 12, 2009, at 4:08 PM, thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org wrote: > What to do with the nice stuff?

8 10

FW: VICTORY! Council supports Bikeways funding
by bike talk 22 May '09

22 May '09

sorry to those of you who aren't local to Los Angeles, but here's what's going on in L.A. We're going to have a few interviews with Boulder bike people from superfan Brad Gavigan and rolling reporter Alesa Byers, including Alex from B-cycle, a bicycle share program, http://bcycle.com/ and a reportback on the bikeways funding, tomorrow 10-noon on killradio.org. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 17:37:27 -0400 From: aurisha(a)la-bike.org <nickrichert(a)hotmail.com> Subject: VICTORY! Council supports Bikeways funding [image: Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102586892667&s=9406&e=001RWKJjFF1j2vGA4zfEmJ-6gKy…> VICTORY! Your voices were heard! Council proposes motions to preserve Bikeways Thank you to all who wrote letters, made phone calls, attended and spoke out to save Bikeways at the Special Council Meeting on Monday, May 18th. It was due to your quick action and attention to this matter that City Council members Ed Reyes and Wendy Greuel both issued motions that are intended to assure the fate of Bikeway's funding. More discussion will be held during upcoming Transportation Committee meetings and Budget and Finance Committee, so there are no guarantees yet, but it should mean all of the Bikeways positions and projects are safe for the next budget year. We will continue to keep you updated. For more information on the meeting and outcome please go to: la.streetsblog.org <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102586892667&s=9406&e=001RWKJjFF1j2sbaulEU7NlLQav…> laist.com<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102586892667&s=9406&e=001RWKJjFF1j2s-5atId9ve0nBC…> Thank you for taking action to preserve Bike Programs in LA! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BECOME AN LACBC MEMBER AND SUPPORT LOCAL ADVOCACY!!! We rely on your memberships to continue to work on issues that are important to you, such as this one. Consider it a contribution to your future. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102586892667&s=9406&e=001RWKJjFF1j2vsZj1xdY0Vz1MI…> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1101346331824&ea=nickrichert@ho…> [image: Safe Unsubscribe]<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001_D6q8SmIH1rsbFWGoTNs9MJiDTciL…> This email was sent to nickrichert(a)hotmail.com by aurisha(a)la-bike.org. Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001_D6q8SmIH1rsbFWGoTNs9MJiDTciL…>| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001_D6q8SmIH1rsbFWGoTNs9MJiDTciL…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Email Marketing <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition | 634 S. Spring Street | Suite 821 | Los Angeles | CA | 90014 ------------------------------ check out the rest of the Windows Live™. More than mail–Windows Live™ goes way beyond your inbox. More than messages<http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/> -- please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0

501(c)(3) application?
by Boson Au 19 May '09

19 May '09

Hi everyone, we here at Baltimore's Velocipede Bike Project are in the middle of applying for 501(c)(3). We're actually a little apprehensive about Part IV of the Application and was wondering if other collectives out there who do have this status can help out. Specifically, we're not 100% sure how to go about writing a "Narrative Description of Activities"... here's what the application says: ---- Part IV. Narrative Description of Your Activities Describe completely and in detail your past, present, and planned activities. Do not refer to or repeat the purposes in your organizing document. You may refer to other parts of the application rather than repeat information provided elsewhere. For each past, present, or planned activity, include information that answersthe following questions. * What is the activity? * Who conducts the activity? * When is the activity conducted? * Where is the activity conducted (for example: Los Angeles and San Francisco, California)? * How does the activity further your exempt purposes? * What percentage of your total time is allocated to the activity? * How is the activity funded? (This should agree with the financial data in Part IX.) * List any alternate names under which you operate, including any “aka” (also known as) or “dba” (doing business as) names. If you have a website, you may attach a paper copy to support your narrative description of activities. ---- We at Velocipede was wondering if there are other collectives that have already done this part and could show us your answers just as an example. We're not 100% sure how detailed we should go, etc... any help is appreciated. thanks in advance. if you don't want to spam the list please feel free to email me directly at boson.au(a)gmail.com -Boson Au Velocipede Bike Project Baltimore, MD

3 3

Still Looking for a PHP/MySQL programmer to help with the Bike Collective Database Project
by Rich Points 18 May '09

18 May '09

Hey All, As some of you know I've started building a web based database project that I call the Bike Collective Database Project (BCDP). When complete this system will help facilitate * Stronger program support * Stronger volunteer coordination * Stronger member/donor communications * Stronger fundraising * Stronger administration * Stronger inventory management * Stronger development * Stronger service * Stronger reporting/board communications * Transportable to other collective sites At this point I've built the system out as far as my skills allow. To finish the project I need a PHP/MySQL programmer. I've done several craigs posts here locally and no one has stepped up. If you or someone you know is good with PHP/MySQL and has some free time please get in touch with me. Thanks -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 720-565-0155 (H) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] bike bike 09?
by Brentmore1234＠aol.com 18 May '09

18 May '09

boo whoo - Minneapolis already has a ton of cyclists and bike shops galore. If Bike!Bike! were really ambitious it would hold it's conference in a city that really needed some work as far as training and resources were concerned. Given that I'm from Louisville, Ky we could really use something big like that here. Just my two cents. I'm on this list and I never comment, so now I'm going to. **************Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in the U.S. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlc…)

2 1

FW: URGENT ACTION: LADOT TO CUT BIKEWAYS!
by bike talk 17 May '09

17 May '09

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: nick richert <nickrichert(a)hotmail.com> Date: 2009/5/16 Subject: FW: URGENT ACTION: LADOT TO CUT BIKEWAYS! To: livebiketalk(a)gmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 21:12:22 -0400 From: aurisha(a)la-bike.org <nickrichert(a)hotmail.com> Subject: URGENT ACTION: LADOT TO CUT BIKEWAYS! [image: Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102583179406&s=9406&e=001K8e-SQWyG_WGmQg0GF1c2U4o…> URGENT ALERT!!! LADOT THREATENS TO CUT THE ENTIRE BIKEWAYS DEPARTMENT!! BIKE PROJECTS WOULD BE CUT!! Los Angeles is facing a perilous budget crisis. All city departments are being asked to submit plans on how they will cut spending, and LADOT have proposed to eliminate the entire Bikeways staff. Not just lay off some people, but cut it altogether. TAKE ACTION!! 2 things you can do to save LA bike projects: 1) ATTEND MONDAYS COUNCIL MEETING NEED CYCLISTS TO ATTEND AND GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY May 18, 10 am! Get there by 9:30am to sign up for public comment. WHEN: Monday, May 18, 10:00AM WHERE: City Hall Council Chambers. 200 N. Spring Street 90012, Room 340 2) WRITE EMAILS AND CALL- 1st THING MONDAY MORNING BEFORE THE MEETING to LADOT, the Budget and Finance Committee Members and to the Mayor. see below for contact information Background: A May 4th Inter-departmental Correspondence titled Shared Responsibility and Sacrifice signed by LADOT General Manager Rita Robinson and addressed to the Budget and Finance Committee, contains the following text under the heading, Transit Capital Programming: "Discontinue bikeways function, including bicycle path maintenance, bicycle programs, and school bicycle and transit education. Discontinue work on Safe Routes to School." Numerous bicycle projects are underway which will be curtailed or compromised by this short-sighted move, including: · The update of the city's Bicycle Plan, already behind schedule. · Numerous bike lane projects. · The Expo Bikeway, in which the city must complete its environmental review by the end of the year (to keep pace with the light rail project) or the bikeway may be delayed for years. · The Sharrows study, which should lead to an implementation plan for this much-needed bikeway enhancement. Some talking points: · With more people riding bikes than ever before, with a vibrant cycling culture developing and with congestion and climate change consequences screaming at us, this is exactly the wrong time to cut the entire bikeways staff. · This city faces rising health problems, obesity and high pollution problems. Encouraging cycling is an easy and cost-effective way to start reducing these problems. · Cycling is not being prioritized in Los Angeles, if there is no staff at all to work on more infrastructure to create safer streets for ALL users, more injury and deaths will occur. TAKE ACTION! ATTEND THE MEETING and/or WRITE EMAILS AND CALL IN ON MONDAY!!! NEED YOUR VOICES IN NUMBERS!! Contact info: Mayor Villaraigosa (213) 978-0600 mayor(a)lacity.org Rita Robinson Fax: 213 972-8410 rita.robinson(a)lacity.org Budget and Finance Committee Members: Councilmember Bernard C. Parks, Chair (213)-473-7008 councilmember.parks(a)lacity.org Councilmember Wendy Greuel (213)-473-7002 councilmember.greuel(a)lacity.org Councilmember Bill Rosendahl (213)-473-7011 councilman.rosendahl(a)lacity.org Councilmember Jose Huizar (213)-473-7014 councilmember.huizar(a)lacity.org Councilmember Greig Smith (213)-473-7012 councilmember.smith(a)lacity.org Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1101346331824&ea=nickrichert@ho…> [image: Safe Unsubscribe]<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001_D6q8SmIH1rsbFWGoTNs9MJiDTciL…> This email was sent to nickrichert(a)hotmail.com by aurisha(a)la-bike.org. Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001_D6q8SmIH1rsbFWGoTNs9MJiDTciL…>| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001_D6q8SmIH1rsbFWGoTNs9MJiDTciL…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Email Marketing <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition | 634 S. Spring Street | Suite 821 | Los Angeles | CA | 90014 ------------------------------ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. Check it out!<http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009> -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0

pedal tech- trailers and such
by Bob Giordano 16 May '09

16 May '09

We've updated our 'pedal tech' page, with pictures of: no weld bike trailers, instructions for making a trailer our of crutches, 4-wheel bike pulling haywagon, bike ferry (2 canoes with platform carrying 8 bikes across river), parking rack made from bike frames, etc. http://freecycles.org/pedaltechnology.html and it's almost out of date already- in the last week, there have been some 4-wheel dual seater bikes made from frames and no welding. recumbents too (but with welding). lots of fun with bike frames and parts and ideas! -- Bob Giordano Free Cycles Missoula 541.7284 Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation www.strans.org, mist(a)strans.org, 406.880.6834

2 1

bike bike 09?
by Boson Au 15 May '09

15 May '09

pardon me but is there a website up for bike bike 09 in Minneapolis?

5 6

Why tribes, not money or factories, will change the world - Ted Talks, Seth Godin (2009)
by Doug Franz 15 May '09

15 May '09

This presentation makes me think a lot about what we are all doing, changing the world. It’s a very interesting and insightful presentation. Please watch it. Doug Franz President Coatesville Community Bike Works Feed: TEDTalks (video) Posted on: Sunday, May 10, 2009 10:34 PM Author: Seth Godin Subject: TEDTalks : Why tribes, not money or factories, will change the world - Seth Godin (2009) Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so. <http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~4/KSp4GlqIQHc> View <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~3/KSp4GlqIQHc/538> article... Enclosures: <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~5/-MeVD1nobbg/SethGodin_2009…> SethGodin_2009.mp4 (57 MB) <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~5/-MeVD1nobbg/SethGodin_2009…> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~5/-MeVD1nobbg/SethGodin_2009…

2 1

Learning Spanish in the shop
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 15 May '09

15 May '09

Does anyone have any good resources for learning Spanish? Specifically ones that might be good for learning mechanical terms and language, for use in our shop? I'm ashamed to admit I've made it this far with barely passing abilities in Spanish speaking. I'd personally love to make my interactions in the shop more open and welcoming to folks who aren't as proficient in English, and we're working as a shop to move in that direction. Do any of you know of any good bike mechanic books written in Spanish? I'm thinking that may help as well. Any resources or things you've found helpful in teaching the staff bikespeak in another language? Thanks!

4 4

mobile shop- bed frame on wheels
by Bob Giordano 15 May '09

15 May '09

an easy trailer to make (weld or no weld) is to put the front end of a bike onto a bed frame, and attach 2 rear wheels (with forks or rear triangles). we use that and also a long john bike to go to mobile workshops. by the way, it's been a great money generator- we charge a sliding fee: $45 an hour for non-profits, up to $75 an hour to businesses. free for groups with no budget at all. we carry basic stuff, and stay away from major overhauls- instead giving out our brochure or suggesting local retail shops if they do not want to learn themselves. -bob giordano, free cycles missoula >> Are there other shops out there with mobile shop rigs that might have some good tips for me, or maybe a list of the tools and parts that you carry and how you store them? >> That would be great! >> Thanks, >> Scott >> Free Ride!

1 0

mobile shop
by Scott Gibson 15 May '09

15 May '09

Here in Pittsburgh we are working on a new internship program partnering with a youth employment non-profit called Urban Youth Action. It is called the Mobile Bike Repair Project. It will be a 6 week paid summer job for 4 youth. We will train them and then have them haul out a mobile shop to public events like farmers markets, fairs and festivals to fix up bikes and give out helmets. I started a new thread for this because we are in process of getting together our mobile shop and I need some help. We just ordered a Bikes At Work trailer and I am thinking about what will be on it and how we will store it. Are there other shops out there with mobile shop rigs that might have some good tips for me, or maybe a list of the tools and parts that you carry and how you store them? That would be great! Thanks, Scott Free Ride!

3 2

Re: [TheThinkTank] Collaborations between your organization and others?
by Will Wolfe 14 May '09

14 May '09

I'm here in Austin Texas where the future is looking strong for Austin's Bike Collective Community. With the help of The Austin Yellow Bike Project and a non-profit student housing cooperative, College Houses Inc. we are building a community shop from the ground up, raised from the earth for the sole purpose of providing a space for the people to learn the mysteries of the bicycle. We are still raising money to get a few more tools on the shelf. Check out the recent press and please spread the message to all interested parties. front page! http://www.dailytexanonline.com/21st-street-co-op-expands-bike-shop-1.17444… more about us and a PayPal account courtesy of the wonderful folks at Yellow Bike. http://www.austinyellowbike.org/shop_21st_street.htm Come and see us sometime here in Austin, -Will Wolfe --- On Tue, 5/12/09, rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> wrote: From: rachael spiewak <rachael(a)sopobikes.org> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Collaborations between your organization and others? To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 2:55 PM Here are a few: International Rescue Committee -- they send us teenage interns from their job readiness program. This is one of our favorite partnerships. One of our first IRC interns made our documentary, which helped us score grant $$ and helps make new shop participants feel like they already know us (oh, you're the girl from the video I watched!), and he's working on creating a community bike shop in Clarkston (where IRC and a bunch of other refugee and immigrant resettlement services agencies are located, so you can imagine how powerful a community bike shop would be in that town). Metro Atlanta Taskforce for the Homeless -- we got a bike shop going in their facility through their onsite Americorps program and with the help of another one of our teen interns. There's kind of a long story about a Whole Foods 5% Day/store boycott that has to do with this project buried in our blog. Atlanta Bike Coalition -- here's one for partnering with your local bike advocacy organization. We work together all the time on whatever it is that we're up to. A good example would be a blinky light giveaway put on by ABC that took place at Sopo. We also use each other's communication channels to get the word out about events and issues that should cut across memberships. Morehouse College's Office of Community Service -- we started recruiting our summer Youth Mentors through this office. Wonderroot Community Arts Center -- we have our meetings at this facility, they put on benefits for us in their show space, we're borrowing their veggie oil bus to get to Bike!Bike! this year, we help each other with nonprofit management issues, and more. Other area co-ops -- most of them are good about including us at networking luncheons at the food co-op, radio shows about co-ops on our community radiostation, collecting donations for us (REI mostly), etc. Hope that helps!! Rachael//Sopo On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 9:07 PM, <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: Howdy all, Hope the spring to summer transition is greeting all of you with good weather and lots of competent willing volunteers to handle the influx of traffic.... I'd love to hear about collaborations you've found with outside organizations, either bike related or not. What potential sources for programming and resources have you come across? I'm interested in hearing both successes and failures. Thanks! josh Community Cycles Boulder, CO _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… -- 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 -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] mobile shop
by recyclebicycle＠verizon.net 14 May '09

14 May '09

1 0

Yes! magazine article on community bike shops
by Dave Bourgeois 13 May '09

13 May '09

Here's some good press for all of us: http://yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=3441 Bike Kitchens: Building Community, Bikes by Rob Forbes

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] NYTimes.com: In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars
by tom emm 13 May '09

13 May '09

On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 1:31 PM, Tom Emm <tom48236(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > --- On Wed, 5/13/09, tom48236(a)yahoo.com <tom48236(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > From: tom48236(a)yahoo.com <tom48236(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: NYTimes.com: In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars > To: tom48236(a)yahoo.com > Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 1:25 PM > > This page was sent to you by: tom48236(a)yahoo.com > Message from sender: > hey there , take a look at this. > > SCIENCE / ENVIRONMENT | May 12, 2009 > In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars > By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL > A young development in Vauban illustrates a trend of planning communities to > thrive without automobiles. > > > 1. Vitamins Found to Curb Exercise Benefits > 2. Op-Ed Columnist: Rogue Diva of Doom > 3. Op-Ed Columnist: They Had It Made > 4. In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars > 5. Spirits of The Times: Absinthes to Go Mad Over > > » Go to Complete List > > Advertisement > 500 Days of Summer, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. This > is not a love story. This is a story about love. > Watch the new trailer! > Click here to view trailer > > Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company | Privacy Policy >

2 1

Job Opening for Shop Manager at Community Cycles Boulder Colorado
by Rich Points 13 May '09

13 May '09

Community Bike Shop Manager Community Cycles http://CommunityCycles.org in Boulder, Colorado is looking to hire a full time shop manager. The ideal candidate has several years of bicycle shop, mechanical, retail, managerial and non profit experience. Experience working with youth a plus, and a familiarity with older bicycles and parts is required. General responsibilities include but are not limited to: * Run and oversee our community bike shop and its programs * Manage youth and adult volunteers * Inventory and Ordering * Oversee sales and their promotion, including daily/petty cash management * Report to the board * Checking in repairs/estimates * Quality Control * Bilingual Spanish/English a plus $24,000 Annual Salary We will be accepting resumes until May 27th. Send resumes, references and inquiries to resume(a)communitycycles.org <mailto:resume@communitycycles.org> Please paste your resume into the email body as well as an attachment. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 720-565-0155 (H) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html

1 0

how to deal with enthusiastic but 'wrong' volunteer mechanics?
by Bob Giordano 13 May '09

13 May '09

We also have created a team like atmosphere, and everyone helps everyone out. Yes, it can be tough to correct someone in front of another, so language and tone are important. Nothing wrong with saying something like, 'oh, here's a tip i've learned, it could be done this way...' training, info sharing, books, classes all help. Sometimes when I see that somone is vesting a lot of time in helping others, i'll ask them later if there is anything about bike mechanics that they are curious about or want to learn. That opens doors to more learning by all. >> ________________________________ >> Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 22:10:53 -0600 >> From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com >> To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> Subject: [TheThinkTank] how to deal with enthusiastic but wrong >> volunteer >> mechanics? >> >> Sorry for dominating the emails, folks. Community Cycles is in all kinds >> of >> transition, and we're looking for help. >> >> I don't know all the details right now, so I'll keep this general. >> >> We've been lucky enough to have a volunteer show up who's very motivated >> and >> enthusiastic about our mission and our programs. This person has gotten >> really involved in existing programs and even helped work on and start a >> new >> one. >> Recently, this person was asked by another shop visitor a mechanical >> question, since it was clear that the volunteer was more staff like, and >> less client. The answer given was very incorrect (one of the details I'm >> missing is what the quesiton/answer were), but this was witnessed by >> another >> very competent experienced mechanic, who was uncomfortable correcting >> the >> misstatement in front of the group. >> In another situation, the same volunteer was seen making very basic >> mistakes when working alone on a bike. From what I understand, the big >> one >> was being asked to install cables on a bike, and neglecting to include >> housing. >> >> We would like to continue having this person as a part of our team, but >> we >> also need to make sure the advice and work they do is correct, safe, and >> appropriate. >> >> One other wrinkle, is that the two incidents were witnessed by two >> different >> staff members, both very skilled mechanics. >> >> How to approach the volunteer? Any help or experience you folks have >> would >> be greatly appreciated. >> >> Thanks! >> >> josh.

1 0

how to deal with enthusiastic but wrong volunteer mechanics?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 13 May '09

13 May '09

Sorry for dominating the emails, folks. Community Cycles is in all kinds of transition, and we're looking for help. I don't know all the details right now, so I'll keep this general. We've been lucky enough to have a volunteer show up who's very motivated and enthusiastic about our mission and our programs. This person has gotten really involved in existing programs and even helped work on and start a new one. Recently, this person was asked by another shop visitor a mechanical question, since it was clear that the volunteer was more staff like, and less client. The answer given was very incorrect (one of the details I'm missing is what the quesiton/answer were), but this was witnessed by another very competent experienced mechanic, who was uncomfortable correcting the misstatement in front of the group. In another situation, the same volunteer was seen making very basic mistakes when working alone on a bike. From what I understand, the big one was being asked to install cables on a bike, and neglecting to include housing. We would like to continue having this person as a part of our team, but we also need to make sure the advice and work they do is correct, safe, and appropriate. One other wrinkle, is that the two incidents were witnessed by two different staff members, both very skilled mechanics. How to approach the volunteer? Any help or experience you folks have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! josh.

6 7

What to do with the nice stuff?
by Jonathan Morrison 12 May '09

12 May '09

Everyone wants the nice bikes / parts, only those that don't know any better aren't savy yet (and that never lasts long if they hang around a shop). So what does your shop do with the nice stuff in regards to work-trade? We are trying to develop a policy in SLC. I have heard some shops don't allow trade over a certain dollar value... I have heard some shops set work-trade at an unskilled labor rate of $5... 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.

2 1

Collaborations between your organization and others?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 12 May '09

12 May '09

Howdy all, Hope the spring to summer transition is greeting all of you with good weather and lots of competent willing volunteers to handle the influx of traffic... I'd love to hear about collaborations you've found with outside organizations, either bike related or not. What potential sources for programming and resources have you come across? I'm interested in hearing both successes and failures. Thanks! josh Community Cycles Boulder, CO

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Collaborations between your organization and others?
by james blesdoe 12 May '09

12 May '09

??summer influx ?? in sunny so cal we never get a rest we are booked, and have been for a year, one week out it's a mad house --- On Mon, 5/11/09, veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Collaborations between your organization and others? To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Monday, May 11, 2009, 6:07 PM Howdy all, Hope the spring to summer transition is greeting all of you with good weather and lots of competent willing volunteers to handle the influx of traffic... I'd love to hear about collaborations you've found with outside organizations, either bike related or not. What potential sources for programming and resources have you come across? I'm interested in hearing both successes and failures. Thanks! josh Community Cycles Boulder, CO -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

1 0

Why tribes, not money or factories, will change the world - TED talks, Seth Godin (2009)
by Doug Franz 11 May '09

11 May '09

This presentation makes me think a lot about what we are all doing, changing the world. It’s a very interesting and insightful presentation. Please watch it. Doug Franz President Coatesville Community Bike Works Feed: TEDTalks (video) Posted on: Sunday, May 10, 2009 10:34 PM Author: Seth Godin Subject: TEDTalks : Why tribes, not money or factories, will change the world - Seth Godin (2009) Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so. <http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~4/KSp4GlqIQHc> View <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~3/KSp4GlqIQHc/538> article... Enclosures: <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~5/-MeVD1nobbg/SethGodin_2009…> SethGodin_2009.mp4 (57 MB) <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~5/-MeVD1nobbg/SethGodin_2009…> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~5/-MeVD1nobbg/SethGodin_2009…

1 0

Seth Godin on the tribes we lead | Video on TED.com
by hitrim＠yahoo.com 11 May '09

11 May '09

*Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified. This presentation makes me think a lot about what we are all doing, changing the world. Itâs a very interesting and insightful presentation. Please watch it. Doug Franz President Coatesville Community Bike Works ******************** If you are having trouble with any of the links in this message, or if the URL's are not appearing as links, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. Title: Seth Godin on the tribes we lead | Video on TED.com Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to access the sent link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMail… $summary Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to SAVE THIS link: http://www.savethis.clickability.com/st/saveThisPopupApp?clickMap=saveFromE… Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to forward this link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=forward&etMailT… ******************** Email pages from any Web site you visit - add the EMAIL THIS button to your browser, copy and paste the following into your Web browser: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=browserButtons&…" ********************* Instructions: ----------------------------------------- If your e-mail program doesn't recognize Web addresses: 1. With your mouse, highlight the Web Address above. Be sure to highlight the entire Web address, even if it spans more than one line in your email. 2. Select Copy from the Edit menu at the top of your screen. 3. Launch your Web browser. 4. Paste the address into your Web browser by selecting Paste from the Edit menu. 5. Click Go or press Enter or Return on your keyboard. ********************

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] diluting the market
by james blesdoe 11 May '09

11 May '09

your friend is wrong if a person gets one of the junkers from you and starts riding they will need new stuff or a new bike later and go to a bike shop, spending money, If you replace a car driver with a bike rider the new rider will spend money in bike shops. no instead of diluting the market, even if you give the bikes away you are adding to the cycling world and creating more chances for the bike shops to do business. --- On Sun, 5/10/09, Liza Mattana <pedals2people(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Liza Mattana <pedals2people(a)gmail.com> Subject: [TheThinkTank] diluting the market To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009, 8:13 AM Hey, I have a question about reselling bikes and what to charge people. We're located in Spokane, WA and the bike "boom" is just starting to hit us. Those great deals on craiglsist and at Goodwill don't exist any more. We accept some quality bike donations from people, mostly older mtn bikes, and we sell some as-is and some refurbished. We sell these bike for around $75-100. A friend of ours who works at a bike shop in town said that with our low prices, we were diluting the market. Do you all think this is right? In our defense, we feel these bikes are donated and we want to pass on a good deal. We don't want to squeeze people for every penny. thanks, Liza -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

2 1

diluting the market
by Liza Mattana 10 May '09

10 May '09

Hey, I have a question about reselling bikes and what to charge people. We're located in Spokane, WA and the bike "boom" is just starting to hit us. Those great deals on craiglsist and at Goodwill don't exist any more. We accept some quality bike donations from people, mostly older mtn bikes, and we sell some as-is and some refurbished. We sell these bike for around $75-100. A friend of ours who works at a bike shop in town said that with our low prices, we were diluting the market. Do you all think this is right? In our defense, we feel these bikes are donated and we want to pass on a good deal. We don't want to squeeze people for every penny. thanks, Liza -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

5 5

Work Bench Types
by Rich Points 06 May '09

06 May '09

Community Cycles is expanding into a larger space, not to be confused with "enough" space, our main shop area will now be about 1,000sqft. As we reconfigure the shop we're trying to determine what kind of work benches to go with. Right now we have one main 8 ft bench with a pegboard where the common every day tools are kept, screw drivers, allen keys, box wrenches... This bench also has a vice and stores crates of parts below. We keep other specialty tools like crown race pullers and the like out of the mix and require them to be checked out. We've seen quite a few shops who have smaller benches with a set of dedicated tools at each, Salt Lake, Fort Collins, Bike Kitchen San Fran... We've also seen places like Free Ride in Pittsburgh that have one super long bench with dedicated sections. I can see the benefits of both set ups. At the same time I realize the configuration of a building often dictates how you set up the shop. We've got a 24ft wall where we can put the bench(s) in the new shop. I envision each work station requiring 6 X 10ft which would allow four stations in the space. The individual benches would be 2.5ft wide and 3-4ft long. A long bench would have pegboard the whole way and each work station could be marked by colors or something. Small individual benches can be moved for special events or large bike donations whereas the long bench is somewhat permanent. I see the long bench as a way to maximize the storage space. What do you guys think? Is there a perfect work bench for a bike coop with a little bit of space? Ride On! -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 720-565-0155 (H) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html

2 1

Tax implications of paying people
by Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE 06 May '09

06 May '09

Hello! Thanks to everyone who replied to the fork storage question, it was really helpful to see photographs. Now for another issue. We may get funding/reimbursement for rehabbing bikes, then distributing them in a free bike program. There is currently not enough time or space in the shop to do this during regular shop hours. What we thought to do was pay mechanics an hourly or per bike stipend to come in when we're closed and work on the free bikes. What sort of things do we have to keep track of/worry about in regards to the money. There could be any number of people working on the bikes and I would hate to, tax-wise, consider each of them an employee, especially when the per year total would probably be a few hundred dollars at most. Is it enough to keep track of who we paid and where the money went and put the onus on our mechanics to report it on their personal tax return? Thanks! Brian Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19802 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

3 2

Today's Bike Talk!
by bike talk 02 May '09

02 May '09

With Todd "wildman" Lyons, Bobby Carter, "flatland" rider, and Michelle Mowery, Senior Project Coordinator in the Project Grants, Bikeways and Enhancement Division of the *Los Angeles* Department of Transportation. PLUS news on the LA City Council Meeting yesterday on bikes, specifically the hummer incident and bike funding in LA. Chickenleather intends to provide audio from the meeting. Stephen Box' blog is here: http://soapboxla.blogspot.com/ Also: upcoming rides and events, like the AIDS/Lifecycle benefit at Bike oven next Saturday. -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0

the time: 10am
by bike talk 01 May '09

01 May '09

forgot the time of the meeting: 10am. also, http://tinyurl.com/dm2jtz for description -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0

Cycling tent
by Amber Barnes 01 May '09

01 May '09

Saw this while perusing for a solo tent and thought some of ya'll might find it interesting too. It's a bike touring tent that actually uses your frame and wheels in lieu of tent poles. http://www.rei.com/product/732405

1 0

Support Cyclists at Van Nuys Meeting today
by bike talk 01 May '09

01 May '09

Today, Cyclists needed at the City Council meeting to protest the way the LAPD treats cyclists on the streets and the LAPDs failure to support cyclists safety on our streets. 6262 VAN NUYS BOULEVARD (3 blocks north of the Orange Line) LA, CA 91401 Contact info for this ride: Stephen Box - 323.962.6540 Bike Talk Tomorrow: "wildman" Todd Lyons, Flatlander Bobby Carter, Michelle Mowery, Senior Project Coordinator in the Project Grants, Bikeways and Enhancement Division of the *Los Angeles* Department of Transportation, and you. -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

1 0