- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

onemillionbicycles.org is real, not a scam, based in portland, oregon and ready to answer ?s
by Joe Kurmaskie 11 Jun '08

11 Jun '08

Hi Everyone - Joe Metal Cowboy Kurmaskie, founder and brain trust behind onemillionbicycles.org. I'm a lifelong pedal pusher, journalist, activist, "bestselling" author of the bicycling travel memoirs Metal Cowboy, Riding Outside The Lines and Momentum Is Your Friend (Mud, Sweat and Gears will be released in October) The best description of my writing came from USA Today - "David Sedaris trapped in the body of Lance Armstrong" Ha. I responded with "Either David got himself a trainer or Lance has let himself go to hell." But I drew the line when called "A modern day Mark Twain on two wheels" Cleveland Plain Deal. Come on now, if that's the case them somewhere a riverboat captain weeps. Enough about me, to the issue at hand, onemillionbicycles.org Yes, we are throwing the woodstock of bicycles, a one day 300 coast to coast of rallies at which 1,000,000 riders create 1,000,000 new ones. We are trying to create a national movement, help get more bicycles out of those garages, especially from folks that wouldn't normally know about or connect with bike collectives etc otherwise. Glad to find and connect with this list serv. We are going to kick some two wheeled butt with this project. I'm happy to answer specific questions and logistics especially how it covers tune ups of these bikes, safety checks and education, but in a nutshell, on August 9th 2009 one million of us who currently ride bicycles will ask for a massive increase in state and federal funding for bicycle education infrastructure, and enforcement. that's the rally goal. The bike giveaway goal is very one to one - each person pledges either to get a bike from their garage, collection, etc and pledge it to a specific person in their community That, or get a friend, family member, coworker, who doesn't currently ride or has not pedaled in many moons to come join the rally and bring a bike for themselves. The idea is to keep all the bikes local - philly riders give bikes to philly pledgers etc. the $5 registration fee and 75 percent of all funds we raise from other sources go to safety check and rehab bikes in their communities at collectives, bike shops etc. We are hiring national rally and bike giveaway coordinators to help coordinate. And an army of intern, volunteers awesome folks like yourselves That's where many of you guys come in - please email us, join the revolution by registering, let us answer any questions and then get involved as a participating collective and let us send you pledgers and pledges to check bikes in your zip-code. We also need groups to join up and sponsor local rallies. The rallies are a new model compared to things like the million man march and washington rallies to stop vietnam and Iraq war etc. That model puts all these resources into play to bring one million people to DC - we wanted a low carbon footprint but big media exposure and we wanted to put riders in the backyards of every congressmen in america - this way they can't pretend that those people at a DC rally aren't their constituents. It also allows for total media market saturation on one weekend, local, regional and national. These rallies will have music, speakers, booths, the big pledge moment, performances, rides, photo contests, etc. more info at these links: http://bikeportland.org/2008/04/17/a-national-movement-for-a-million- new-riders-begins-in-portland/#more-7044 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCz68vaNJw Thanks Joe Kurmaskie onemillionbicycles.org metalcowboy.com

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One Million Bicycles
by mike eng 10 Jun '08

10 Jun '08

Interesting - this is the first I've heard of it. Agreed, Josh - it seems questionable to dump out a million bicycles on new riders without setting up any infrastructure or teaching any maintenance skills, but maybe that's where bike collective folks could help out the most. -- Mike Eng Providence, RI cell: 805-234-1032 www.recycleabike.org

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Bike Collectives, an International Effort Deserves Press
by Rich Points 10 Jun '08

10 Jun '08

Collectives, As you know there are over 110 collectives in North America. As I learned at Bike Bike last year no two bike collectives are the same. Despite our differences we have a common goal, we're all working in our own way to get more people riding bikes more often. That being the case I think our work merits national and international media attention. I've been thinking for a while about how we might get our work into the media. Bike Bike offers us a great opportunity to do this. Before Community Cycles heads out for this years conference we'll distribute a press release discussing the conference, why we're going with an emphasis on the international movement. I think if all the collectives attending this years conference should do something similar. Maybe we can create some buzz and get picked up by the AP or something. I personally would like to see the bike collectives to be as well known other re-use places like Salvation Army, Value Village and others. When it comes time to get rid of a bike or pick one up on the cheap the local bike collective should be first on the list. I think using the national media is a great way to show the world that bike collectives are more than your local co-op. What do you guys think? -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

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oin Us for the 9th Annual Grassroots Use of Technology Conference - It's Not Too Late
by ronald ferrucci 10 Jun '08

10 Jun '08

I cannot make this, but I figure some bike collective folk may be interested. -------------- I just wanted to remind you about the 9th Annual Grassroots Use of Technology Conference. The venue is set. The workshops are scheduled. Registrations are pouring in. It is not to late to join us, you can register at: http://organizerscollaborative.org/conference When: Saturday, June 28th - All Day (8:30am to 6pm) Where: University of Massachusetts Lowell - Wannalancit Building 600 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA http://organizerscollaborative.org/conference08/directions What: Highlights of the day: Keynote Speaker, Nick Jehlen of Action Mil draw lessons from his recent work on the Winter Soldier campaign organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War. Non-profit Internet Starter Kit: Take Your Website to the Next Level with These Free Online Tools Online Mentoring: Innovative Uses of Technology in Creating and Managing Mentor-Mentee Relationships You Can't Get What You Want Until You Know What You Need: Choosing the Right Software Making the Most Out of the Organizers' Database The Untapped Power of Social Networks for Grassroots Action Getting the Clicks: e-Campaigning in Communities with Few Computers Managing Your Website with Today's Tools Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Roadmap HAVA Great Idea? (HAVA stands for Help America Vote Act) Facebook to Phone Trees: Multi-Generational Outreach Strategies Organizing the Organic Internet Helping Your Computer System Grow Up Keeping it Simple: technology tools that won't make you want to rip your hair out. Collaborative eLearning The Point: A Web-Tool for Collective Action Managing & Recruiting Tech volunteers Strategies for shaping the media/tech future: Policy, funding & organizing Open Media Boston: Building a News Portal with Drupal Lowell is a beautiful, historic city that still remembers its working-class roots The intersection of rivers and canals make it a wonderful place to be on an early summer day. So join us for some engaging connections and some rock-solid knowledge sharing. Become an OC member at our special conference rate and you'll even receive a FREE book from O'Reilly & Assocaites. Looking forward to seeing you there, Felicia | Technology and training to advance and sustain social change | Felicia M. Sullivan Organizers' Collaborative felicia(a)oc-tech.org http://organizerscollaborative.org 617.848.9513 [ voice / fax ] ________________________________ Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger. Invite friends now!

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Bike Thief lessons?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 04 Jun '08

04 Jun '08

Have any of you heard of this? Do any of you do anything similar? Makes sense that it works... http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL0489099820080604?feedTy… I wonder if any shops out there have some kind of policy about what kind of locks will get reused, and which ones just discarded/recycled. I know we see a ton of crappy, cheap, breakable-with-a-wet-noodle wire/cable locks. What do you do with them? Is there a "minimum level of security" on locks that go out from your shops? Do you do any kind of theft awareness/ lock education?

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Ladies Night at CBSO - June 3, 6pm
by Community Bicycle Shop Omaha 04 Jun '08

04 Jun '08

We're glad to offer our first Ladies Night at Community Bicycle Shop Omaha! The date is Tuesday, June 3 at 6pm. Bring your bicycle project or come to refurbish donated bicycles and learn about bike mechanics. RSVP to this email address.

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Non-Profit Insurance
by Wilbur Ince 04 Jun '08

04 Jun '08

Not sure if this is the place for this question, but let's try it: I am part of a non-profit bicycle club in the Twin Cities. We own a bus and use it for rides during the Summer. We insure the bus, but pay very high premiums ($300 per month). Does anyone know of sources for insurance like this? Reply on or off list! Thanks! Wilbur

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Bike Short Films
by Rich Points 03 Jun '08

03 Jun '08

Collectives, Community Cycles will be hosting the second annual Bike Shorts Film Festival here in Boulder on bike to work day June 25th. We're looking for a few last entries to fill out schedule. We try to highlight the potential of the bicycle as transportation, fun and recreation. I'm personally interested in seeing films that highlight utilitarian uses of the bike like hauling large objects, trips to the grocery and that kind of thing. And of course we'd love to highlight other bike collectives from around the world. The films can range 30 seconds to 10 minutes. If you have a film you'd like to submit please send it in DVD format by June 15th to: Gary Gingras - Film Fest Community Cycles 2805 Wilderness Pl Ste 1000 Boulder,CO 80301 Peace -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

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Soliciting donations
by adam schwartz 31 May '08

31 May '08

I am getting ready to send out mass mailings to solicit donations from bike shops, bike companies, tool and parts companies, and local cycling advocacy groups. Has anyone had much luck with this approach? and if so I am curious which companies are likely to send donations or have a history of supporting community or youth bike programs. peace, -- Adam Schwartz Program Coordinator, Renaissance Community Youth Bike Shop 6200 Sheridan Street, Riverdale, MD rideyourbicycle(a)gmail.com (301)275-2362

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low end bikes, Invisible riders
by Michael Wolfe 30 May '08

30 May '08

I like where the discussion is going on Low End Walmart bikes. To provide an interesting prospective, check out this article in Bicycling Magazine. It highlights a part of the cycling population that we not only fail to recognize, but often are oblivious to. It's kind of long but a worthy read. http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-12-13639-1-P,00.html

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