- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Valet bike parking and public events
by Carl Voss 03 Dec '13

03 Dec '13

Hello, Thinkers Carl Voss here from the Des Moines Bicycle Collective. I know that some community bike projects have programs offering valet bike parking for public events, festivals, farmers markets, and the like. I'm a member of the city committee (city manager's office) updating/reviewing the Des Moines process for street-closure permits for public events. I've suggested we include some language that valet bike corrals be part of public events. I recall that in some cities, the event planners are required (or an the minimum, encouraged) to provide bike parking. I've read—perhaps here or elsewhere—that there are 30 San Francisco events that have valet bike services. If any of you have suggestions to pass along regarding street use/street closures/public events and permits: *Language suggesting or requiring valet bike services *If expected attendance is over a threshold (1,000 attendees?) must include valet bike corrals *Any other encouraging language. Zip me an e-mail directly or through The Think Tank. Carl Voss carlvoss(a)mac.com Mobile: 515-210-0237 Des Moines Bicycle Collective, Central Iowa's only nonprofit bike shop. Become a member today for $40. Use our secure donation form.

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Bicycle part vending machine
by Christopher Chan 03 Dec '13

03 Dec '13

Hola, Does anyone have any experience with bicycle part vending machines? e.g. http://www.bikefixtation.com/products/high-security-vending-machine.html Are they reliable? Useful? Thanks, Christopher Chan *Executive Director* Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society edmontonbikes.ca *BikeWorks North *• 9305 111 Ave • T5G 0A2 • 780-757-9100 *BikeWorks South *• 10047 80 Ave (rear lane) • T6E 1T4 • 780-433-2453 *Cell •* privatecellchan Edmonton, Alberta, Canada @edmontonbicycle <https://twitter.com/edmontonbicycle> facebook.com/EdmontonBicycleCommuters<https://www.facebook.com/EdmontonBicycleCommuters>

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Another Indiegogo Campaign
by The Bicycle Tree 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

For those interested, here is our Indiegogo campaign. We're using it in conjunction with other funding pursuits to get us the moolah to get ourselves established in a set location. Any comments are welcome. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-bicycle-tree-putting-down-roots/x/550… Thank you, Paul Nagel The Bicycle Tree P.O. Box 11293 Santa Ana, CA 92711 http://www.thebicycletree.org info(a)thebicycletree.org

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Utica Bike Rescue is online...for real now
by Matt VanSlyke 22 Nov '13

22 Nov '13

ThinkTank: Just want to spread the word because we're super excited about our fresh, new website. No more FB-only for us and what a relief! Check us out at www.UticaBikeRescue.org. And PS - if you need web design work, the developer who did our site is very, very good and is a very community-minded guy. He gives a lot of personal attention to the sites he builds and hosts and offers really nice deals for non-profits. Check out their portfolio at www.nosheepdesigns.com -- *Matt VanSlyke* *Utica Bike Rescue* *714 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13502* *315.525.9554* *matt(a)uticabikerescue.org <matt(a)uticabikerescue.org>* *www.uticabikerescue.org <http://www.uticabikerescue.org/>* *www.facebook.com/uticabikerescue <http://www.facebook.com/uticabikerescue>* *Learn. Earn. Ride.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Shop market analysis
by summitcyclingcenter＠yahoo.com 22 Nov '13

22 Nov '13

Hi According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, the average LBS grosses $700,000.00/yr. However, you have to dial it down to your local market. IMO, most community bike shops don't come close to competing on dollar volume. Look at your LBS(S), who are their customers? In our situation, we are in the inner city. There are no shops in this city. All are out in suburban communities. They are marketing to those with more disposable income. They sell recreation. We sell transportation and sustainable living. SCC is not in competition with our LBSs Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile ----- Reply message ----- From: scott(a)gknightride.org To: <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Shop market analysis Date: Fri, Nov 22, 2013 12:19 pm Hi all - I was wondering if anyone who has a bike co-op or non-profit/community shop looked at bike-related sales tax revenues before and through the existence of the shop, or done any market research to show that shops like these are market expanding, and do not necessarily compete with the local traditional for-profit shops. We have several opportunities to go after some economic advancement grants, and would love to show this. as well, we would love to use this data over the years to track local growth of cycling sales as one proxy for participation. Thanks! Scott ConlinBoardmemberBicycle LongmontLongmont, CO

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Bike Rodeo Kit
by Matt VanSlyke 20 Nov '13

20 Nov '13

ThinkTank: I am writing a grant to fund the purchase of a kit to set up and conduct bike rodeos community-wide. Can anyone point me in a good direction so that I can develop an itemized list of needed supplies and costs? I have a good idea of what we need but I want to include a very detailed budget with specific items included. I think I remember seeing some info on the Wiki but that's obviously an issue right now due to the malware situation. Anyone have a good source? Thanks, Matt -- *Matt VanSlyke* *Utica Bike Rescue* *714 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13502* *315.525.9554* *matt(a)uticabikerescue.org* *www.uticabikerescue.org* *www.facebook.com/uticabikerescue* *Learn. Earn. Ride.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Winterizing Resources
by chris turner 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

Hi Sam, We've done lots of winter cycling clinics in the past, but haven't developed any resources that we can share. You're already planning on hitting a lot of what we've found to be the important stuff (studded tires, cleaning/lubing, how to dress). Do you plan on teaching folks to stud their own tires? That's always been popular, and it makes it easier for some folks to start riding through the winter. Wanda mentioned this already, but I want to second the importance of talking about winter routes. It's been my experience at that this has been the biggest barrier for folks that show up for winter clinics. Typically, these folks ride the rest of the year, but their normal routes are uncomfortable to ride (or are not ride-able) in the winter. It's really helpful to suggest some alternate routes for folks whose commute paths get much worse with the weather. Chris Turner Off the Chain Anchorage, AK

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POS for a Non-profit Bike Shop
by Σαμαν Χαριμπ 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

Hi Folks, I'm volunteering at a community bike shop in East Vancouver, BC, called Kickstand <https://www.facebook.com/Eastvan.Kickstand> . We are looking for a POS to use here. What POS are using and what do you suggest we should use? Did any of you attend the Bike!Bike! <https://www.bikebike.org/> conference workshop about different POS systems? Also is anyone using Erply<http://erply.com/windows-point-of-sale-pos-download/>? What do you think of that? Bike love from Vancouver, Saw-mon

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Articles of incorporation and bylaws
by Justin Pogge 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

after over 10 years of running without any sort of tax status or business license, Krank It Up Community Bicycle Project has decided to apply for 501(c)3 status. we run as a collective and we want to create bylaws that reflect that model. i know that some shops had there articles and bylaws posted on the bikecollective wiki site, but these documents seem currently unaccessible. would you be willing to email these documents to us to help us create our bylaws? thanks Justin oldfieldcycles(a)gmail.com -- www.oldfieldcycles.blogspot.com

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Legal Liability for Bikes Donated and then given out for free?
by mike r 15 Nov '13

15 Nov '13

Hello, I'm in NY the "litigation state" and am trying to get my former employer, a BIG Ten employer to organize a bike collection event at their local manufacturing facility. The company has DEEP pockets so they get concerned about the potential for liability in the event that a donated bike ends up injuring someone due to defects that existed when it was donated, or that occurred when it was repaired before it was given away. Let me know your experience with this, from legal prospective, please don't reply with complaints about the "system" as we all know the system s**ks! Thanks, Mike

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