- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Stuff I've Learned Recently
by cyclista＠inventati.org 20 Sep '24

20 Sep '24

This one I actually figured out awhile ago: - For accessing those 18mm ebike axlenuts on axles with power cables running out of them, and which often having a bash guard also on the axle: FLARE NUT WRENCH. Sockets won't work because electrical cable, box ends won't work because same, and the open end of a combo wrench is most often TOO FAT around its jaws to fit inside the bars of the bash guard or in the recess of the dropout. A flare nut wrench has the clearance of a box end, with the ability to allow passage for the cable that an open end would have. A trick that I'd like to try would be to *make* a flare nut wrench from the box end of a combination wrench by grinding an opening into it. I think it'd have to be one of the older box ends that's just a hex inside though, the newer kinds that are more fully castellated inside for multi-positioning on the nut would probably end up being too structurally weak if you cut a slot in them. And then this one, imparted to me by another mechanic just last week: - In an emergency, you can re-size a larger diameter innertube into a smaller one by tucking the tube inside itself until the desired diameter is reached. This has been dubbed "the foreskin technique" (gross, but appropriate). It's important to leave the tube airless until it has been fit into the tire and the beads are in place. Even though the resulting tube has imbalanced weight from being double-thick where it overlaps itself, once inflated it works well enough that you might not even know the difference riding it. ~cyclista Nicholas

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Youth Bike Summit--Early Bird registration through April 26!
by Kim Schaffer 19 Aug '24

19 Aug '24

Hi all! The 2024 Youth Bike Summit is shaping up to be a fantastic event, and we'd love to have you join us in Allentown this summer. Here are details! Please let me know if you have questions- Kim Calling all youth cyclists! Grab your helmets and head to the Lehigh Valley, PA, for the 2024 Youth Bike Summit, June 14-16 YBS2024 will bring together up to 400 youth riders and their adult advocates from across the country for three days of workshops and rides, all designed to help youth lead through the power of the bicycle. The theme of YBS2024 is Youth Lead the Way, with a focus on youth who have historically been excluded from cycling. YBS2024 will kick off on Friday evening with a welcome reception at races at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome. Saturday will offer a full day of classroom- and ride-based workshops, and will include opportunities for attendees to Try the Track at the Velodrome or participate in a Bikes & Boating adventure. YBS2024 will culminate on Sunday with a Big Ride that will take attendees through Allentown, along the historic D&L trail, and to Bethlehem's iconic SteelStacks. The Youth Bike Summit is led by the National Youth Bike Council and the YBS steering committee, which includes youth bike advocates from across the country. Community Bike Works, a Lehigh Valley-based Earn a Bike organization, will host YBS2024. "YBS fosters connections among youth and adults who are passionate about youth cycling, while it also helps to build leadership skills of students who are the future of our cycling community," said Joshua Funches, President of NYBC. "The Youth Bike Summit is a magical, life-changing gathering for young people who love bikes," CBW Youth Projects Coordinator Avery Daniels said. "This is the 10th Youth Bike Summit and the most authentically youth-led YBS to date. We are so excited to welcome everyone to YBS2024. Come ride with us this June!" The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape, and THE LINK trail network have combined for lead sponsorship of the event. National sponsors include Outride, SRAM, The League of American Bicyclists, Sun Bicycles, and Lees-McRae College - Cycling Studies Minor. Local and Regional sponsors include PPL, The Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, County of Northampton, the City of Allentown, the Nurture Nature Center, Capital Blue Cross, Discover Lehigh Valley(r), County of Lehigh, Fox & Roach/Trident Charities, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Piscitello Bicycle Law, PNC Bank, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission/Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, and Invest in Women Entrepreneurs. Details on YBS 2024 are available at https://communitybikeworks.org/youth-bike-summit-2024. Early bird registration for the three-day event-including four meals-runs through April 26 is just $80 for youth 24 and under, and $130 for adults over 24. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-youth-bike-summit-tickets-748892747367 ******************************* Kim Schaffer, Executive Director Community Bike Works www.communitybikeworks.org cell: 484.554.8971

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"Stuff I've Learned Recently"
by Jim Sheehan 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

- Aluminum foil (crushed lightly and dipped in water) is the best method for cleaning chrome: cheaper, faster, less abrasive than steel wool, and recyclable. Just wear gloves, wipe the brown drips off promptly with a thick, clean, cotton rag, and polish lightly with oil. - Stuck seatposts usually are due to a missing -- or old, ineffective grease barrier between the steel tube and aluminum post. If you *do not try to loosen it by flooding it with oil products first,* there is a much better chance that the ammonia soaking trick will work, since it will be able to seep into the spaces where oil would have already sealed the less viscous ammonia away from contact. Be sure to fill the post to overflowing, and give it at least a few days to sit. Looking forward to other contributions here! Peace, Jim Jim Sheehan Executive Director Ohio City Bicycle Co-op 1779 Merwin St Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216 830 2667 OhioCityCycles.org jim(a)ohiocitycycles.org

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new topic series: "Stuff I've Learned Recently"
by cyclista＠inventati.org 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

I've decided to start a new series here that I'll call "Stuff I've Learned Recently". The intention is to share exactly that. I often find solutions to problems, or simply learn something new about bicycles, bicycle mechanics, or running a community bike shop. In the case where this knowledge may be arcane or even unique, I often think it's a shame that these techniques and perspectives may be lost. I've considered doing a YouTube channel, but that's more effort than I have to spare. I'm fond of this list and what it represents, so perhaps it can be useful here. No promises on the frequency of posts in this series. They will happen as often as I experience revelations. Many of these bits of knowledge may be already understood by some, but unless most of you already know these things, please try to refrain from "I already knew that" replies. I'll be sure to only post things which I think most readers will benefit from. I'm sure these posts will impress some readers, while impressing upon others exactly how much I hadn't already known. This is okay. Mostly this is a way of speaking what probably otherwise would be unspoken. Other are encouraged to contribute their own entries to this series - but please title them all the same (Stuff I've Learned Recently) for easy searching. To kick off the series, here are the first entries: - High pressure tires (with tubes) require high pressure rim strips. If a common rubber rim strip is used with a deep-v rim, the tube may herniate into the spoke holes even if the rim strip is in good condition and properly centered. There may not even be a tear or rupture in the rim strip itself at the point where the blowout occurred; the tube can simply push the rim strip aside as it bulges into the hole and ruptures. So make sure those road tires get cloth or thick plastic rim strips! - Replacing a broken spoke doesn't always have to mean removing the tube and tire. If the spoke breaks at the flange, you can simply unthread it from the spoke nipple and thread the new one back in without ever removing the tube or tire. - Some e-bike hubmotors feature freewheels whose inner castellations (for interfacing with the socket) are very deep, requiring a very long socket. In some cases the depth may make the castellations difficult to see, making it seem that the freewheel wasn't intended to be removed, similar to some department store kids' BMX sprockets that ship with no castellations at all. However, the castellations are usually present, and a Park FR 1.3 socket will reach them most of the time. The socket may need to be reamed progressively with a large stepper bit at the hexagonal end in order for the connector of the motor control/power cable to pass through. There are also direct-from-china sockets that are especially long that can work, but they also may need to be reamed. - This one's an old revelation, but nobody but me seems to have discovered it, so I'll document it now: When applying torque with a pipe wrench to a seized seatpost to turn it, in cases of extreme seizure the force applied to the jaws will crush and tear the post itself away from the frame, rendering the post inaccessible. This crushing can be prevented by cutting off the seatpost two or three inches above the frame, and stuffing the hollow center with a solid iron rod of the appropriate diameter. As the seatpost is tempted to buckle under the torque of the wrench jaws, instead it braces against the iron core such that greater force can be applied. I have alternately used chisels, rebar, punches, and various bits of scrap metal to stuff seatposts with the appropriate diameter of rod in the past. - This one's also old: some innertube punctures only leak at high pressure, and my not leak at all when inflated and listened for, or placed under water. Outside of a tire, innertubes can only reach relatively low pressures when inflated before completely exploding. Thats about all I can think of for now. Cheers! I hope this was interesting or useful, or both! ~cyclista Nicholas

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Fabricate a walker from bike parts?
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 29 Jul '24

29 Jul '24

Our collective, Positive Spin, has received the request below. I know there are some members with good fabrication experience on this list. Has anyone worked on a similar project, have design plans that would fit these specifications, or advice on how to proceed? Greetings: I'm writing to you in hopes that you might be able to literally help me save my life. Between some bad genetics and acquired injuries I'm currently not able to walk in any meaningful way. Some little bit during physical therapy. I've lost significant muscle mass and things are getting worse. I'm a tall person 201cm (6'7") before the accident wherein my spine suffered a compression injury I'm now 196cm (6'5"). This injury also caused lymphedema in both legs so my weight can vary by hundreds of pounds from 165kg -320kg (360# -700#). Walking and bicycling helps control the lymphedema immensely. I've given much thought to what I need and what I want. A doctor friend asked me what I was wanting and I'm going to incorporate my response to him in this letter as I believe it provides a very good idea of what I'm wanting and a bicycle repair shop would be just the place to make this happen. Upfront I'm not currently working I'm on a fixed disability income so I need to keep costs as low as possible; on the other hand we are talking about regaining my life versus dying slowly so I'll find a way to meet the financial requirements to make this happen. What I want to build: I want to build a walker. Because of my injuries and loss of muscle mass a traditional walker can't be used and a wheelchair or powerscooter won't help me walk again or build muscle mass. Kind of a side by side bicycle with step through (girls) frame, 4 wheels (two in front and two rear) but relatively close together (like a wheelchair it needs to fit through doors). A bench seat is preferred but if I must use a bicycle seat I'm going to get a Hobson Pro. Either way the seat will need to be low enough as to be out of the way when walking but there should a my hip or back fail and I drop. Needs to be high enough that I can continue to "walk" even while seated. I also want front and rear brakes as this is WV and we have steep hills. I want some method of locking the wheels so the walker won't roll about while I'm mounting or dismounting. Some place to carry my crutches would be great as would a cargo area (basket, underseat???) and water bottle cage (couple 2 liter bottles). I'm thinking BMX sized fat tires (idk 16" - 20") so I can go in the grass as well as sidewalks and buildings. I believe at its widest it should be no more than 32" and likely no longer than 54", maybe less, as it will also need to fit into elevators and exam rooms. That step through frame will need to be narrow to accommodate a normal leg spread with normal gait and stride (may require a bit of tube [frame] bending or cutting and welding). It will also need to be quite strong to accommodate my weight and my falling weight should my hip or back fail and I take an uncontrolled seat. An alternative to the narrow central frame might be a frame that I stand between. My illustration shows both ideas. Speaking from an engineering stand point I've no idea which would be stronger. To be honest one luxury option I'd like to be able to put on it would be the ability to turn the seat sideways so I could cook at a stove or work in my garden or in my workshop. This walker would immediately release me from the forced captivity in which I'm trapped. Help me regain muscle mass. Help me recover my physical health. Do activities I love and miss and it could even get me back to work. I most sincerely hope that you are willing and able to help. Thank you,

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Phoenix Bikes Hiring an Executive Director
by Emily Gage 08 Jul '24

08 Jul '24

Hi Everyone, Phoenix Bikes is hiring for our next Executive Director. If you know of anyone who might be a good fit, please encourage them to apply! *Job Title: *Executive Director *Organization:* Phoenix Bikes *Location: *Arlington, VA *Salary: *$75,000 - $90,000 *Details*: See Indeed posting <https://www.indeed.com/job/executive-director-317821f41b17d690?_gl=1*1ali10….>. Applications will be accepted through July 19. It's been a fun (and challenging!) position the last 5+ years for me, and I'd love to hand the reins (handlebars?) off to an incredible leader to take the organization forward! Cheers, Emily _________________ [image: Phoenix Bikes] <https://www.phoenixbikes.org/> *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes www.phoenixbikes.org | emily(a)phoenixbikes.org [image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 <https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%202…> [image: icon] (703) 346-0035

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recommendations for filing federal taxes (990/ez) online
by Matthew Pendergraft 02 Jul '24

02 Jul '24

Dear Think Tank - It seems we can no longer file our federal taxes by mail and must e-file / file online. Do you file your federal taxes online, like a 990 or 990-EZ? What website do you use/recommend to file online? For California orgs - the state filing seems easier, still allowing you/us to simply fill, print, and mail-in the forms. But if you have any suggestions there, I'd be happy to hear. Thank you in advance. -Matt Bikes del Pueblo, San Diego - Kumeyaay land

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Donation History?
by Andy Ballentine 27 Jun '24

27 Jun '24

Hello, everyone -- Our operation, the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg (Virginia) is nearly three years old. We receive donated bicycles, refurbish them, and sell them or (mostly!) give them away. We've been amazed at the number of bikes we receive! We've tracked the months when donations have been heavier (like early spring) and when they've been less so (like the winter months), but the donation stream has been surprisingly strong ever since we opened. I have a question for others who receive bicycles by donation, and who have been in operation longer than we have. Does the time come when donations slow down? We're wanting to plan for that, if there's any way we can expect what might happen in the future. Thanks! Andy Ballentine

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krakow
by Chana 18 Jun '24

18 Jun '24

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Kids book about cyclofeminism - in French
by Gabrielle Anctil 14 Jun '24

14 Jun '24

Hey y'all, Just letting you know that this Montreal bike activist has just published a kids book about cyclo-feminism. It tells the story of Claire (inspired by Claire Morissette, an influencial montreal bike activist from the 70s) who, with the help of her new friend Katherine (Kitty Knox), learns to bike to school. It's about solidarity and the slippery slope of cycling which can turn you into an activist without you even noticing HEHEHE. My publisher also produced a printable poster which is available for free - it explains some basic rules of the road for kids who learn to bike. You can find both info about the book + the poster here: https://editionskata.com/produit/claire-a-velo-la-tete-dans-le-guidon/ (for the poster you need to scroll to the bottom of the page, section "Outils disponibles pour aller plus loin"). If any of you knows of a kids book publisher who might be interested in buying the rights and translating it into English or Spanish or any other language, feel free to forward them this email. Have a good day! -- Gabrielle Anctil gabrielleanctil.com <https://www.gabrielleanctil.com/>

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Riding More with Less
by Sam Tracy 12 Jun '24

12 Jun '24

Hello ThinkTank, Greetings! Hope you're well. I wanted to let people know about my new book *Riding More with Less*, published 1/23/24 by PM Press. It focuses on resourceful approaches towards fixing the bikes people actually ride, giving space to topics including how to break rust, knowing when it's safe to reuse parts, and more broadly to the many older technologies still in common use. Best of all, the book also features technical insights and commentary from volunteers and mechanics at 34 community bike shops across 4 countries. Great to encounter so many insightful people, through this project -- I learnt a lot, and as I hope you'll agree their voices add quite a bit. Background: I began working as a mechanic in bike shops in 1994, and this is my fourth bike repair manual. It's the second one that I've done with PM Press. More info can be found at the publisher's website here: https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1543 Question: I'll be visiting family in the Boston/Cambridge area the second and third weeks of July, and I'm hoping to set up some book events. Would anyone know people at community shops out there whom I might ask about this? Thanks, Sam Tracy

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Employing 14-15 year olds in VA bike shops
by Emily Gage 10 Jun '24

10 Jun '24

Hi All, Here at Phoenix Bikes in Arlington, VA, we run paid internship programs in our bike shop for high school students. One internship program focuses on “business” skills including the sale of used bikes and mechanics work on bikes; the other internship is focused on having interns teach mechanics skills to other students. We’ve only been employing 16+ students for both. But for the teaching internship, we have more 9th and 10th graders interested than older high schoolers, so we want to revisit whether we can employ younger students. Virginia's teen employment site is super specific about which jobs and employment locations are allowed for 14-15 year olds, whereas rules around job duties for 16+ year olds are much more relaxed. If you are a Virginia-based shop that has employed students younger than 16, what duties did you allow the younger students to do and what labor laws/guidance were you following? Just would love to know if others have gone down this path and made it work. Thanks, Emily Sent from my iPhone

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Encuesta sobre llamado a Asamblea virtual Bici!Bici! / Call for Bike!Bike! online Assembly
by Angie Libertad 08 Jun '24

08 Jun '24

Querida Comunidad de Bici!Bici!, En los últimos meses, nos han estado preguntando cuándo será la próxima Bici!Bici! Nos vimos por última vez en el 2018 en Tijuana y desde entonces no hemos podido reunirnos en persona y decidir colectivamente sobre la próxima Bici!Bici! Por esta razón, el comité organizador de Bici! Bici! En Todas Partes! quiere tu opinión sobre tener una asamblea virtual sobre el próximo encuentro de Bici! Bici! y también queremos conocer sus ideas de lo que les gustaría ver en la próxima reunión de Bici! Bici! En Todas Partes! Les pedimos que llenen esta encuesta antes del 13 de junio para que podamos conocer las necesidades de las comunidad ciclistas para nuestra planificación de B!B!E! BbLiga de la encuesta: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd9eM1esnn5gz.../viewform Si quieres unirte al comité directivo, siempre necesitamos más ayuda allí, por favor envíanos un correo electrónico a bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com para unirte como voluntaria/o en el comité organizador. ---- Dear Bike!Bike! community, Over the past months, everyone has been asking when the next bike bike is happening. We last saw each other at Bike!Bike! 2018 in Tijuana before the pandemic and we have not had an in-person opportunity to come together and decide collectively on the next Bike! Bike!. For this reason, the Bike! Bike! Everywhere! steering committee wants your feedback on holding an online assembly about the next in person Bike! Bike! and to learn about your ideas of what you´d like to see at the next Bike! Bike! Everywhere! gathering. We ask that you kindly fill out this poll by the 13th of June so we can learn about your bike community's needs to plan the next BBE. Link to poll: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSe7XFmZepQvyY.../viewform If you'd like to join the steering committee we always need more help there, please send us an email at bikebikeeverywhere(a)gmail.com to join as a volunteer on the organizing committee.

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What do y'all do with old cycling computers?
by Triss Cimò 08 May '24

08 May '24

Hi, all, Our shop's been slowly amassing too many donated old cyclometers (like the old wired ones with spoke-mounted magnets, lots of Cateyes and some Shimanos and other brands). I'm seeing that when they're complete in a box and have all the parts they sometimes sell on eBay, but generally our clientele is not interested in this now obsolete tech. We don't currently have an electronics recycling partner, but I'm worried that looking for a way to recycle these is our only option. Does anyone in this group have wisdom to share on this topic before we go down that route? What have your other shops done with yours? Thanks in advance! -- Triss Cimò* (they/them)* *Crew at The <http://www.thebicycletree.org/>* * Bicycle Tree <http://www.thebicycletree.org/>, Santa Ana, California*

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Biking videos and info for kids
by Marc Ford 08 May '24

08 May '24

Hi folks, Some neighbors are getting together a bike-bus to bike to the local elementary school (up to age 10). The school is cool with it and has asked that there be some kind of unspecified "safety thing". This is all coming together without much notice so all the local organizations that could help are busy. So these neighbors are looking for something to share with the school or parents. I found a couple videos. They are OK but a little preachy. Anyone have anything you've made or like for this? The expectation is that parents are riding with kids, on one lane neighborhood streets. Thanks! Marc

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Phoenix Bikes Hiring for Executive Director
by Emily Gage 04 May '24

04 May '24

Hi Everyone, I've announced I'll be stepping down from my position as Phoenix Bikes' Executive Director at the end of August. I've absolutely loved this role over the past five and a half years and would love to see us find an exceptional person to lead Phoenix Bikes into the future! Phoenix Bikes is an Arlington, Virginia nonprofit that uniquely combines youth educational programs with a full-service bike shop. We pursue a dynamic mission: harnessing the power of bikes to help youth build passion, purpose, and a place in the community. Our incredible supporters—including individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors, and bike shop customers—make it possible for us to offer our youth programs entirely free of cost and to offer repairs and sales at affordable prices, so that we can serve the underserved in our community. You can learn more about Phoenix Bikes and our work at www.phoenixbikes.org. The Executive Director has overall responsibility for ensuring that programs—both our youth training programs and our community bike shop—are running successfully, executing successful fundraising, managing the financial health and the sustainability of the organization, developing staff, and managing operations. This full-time position manages an annual operating budget of about $700,000 and an outstanding team of five full-time staff and 7-12 part-time staff, supported by over 100 volunteers. Please see our Indeed posting for further details: Phoenix Bikes Executive Director <https://www.indeed.com/job/executive-director-317821f41b17d690?_gl=1*1vkacq…>. *Applications close May 14.* Best, Emily _________________ [image: Phoenix Bikes] <https://www.phoenixbikes.org/> *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes www.phoenixbikes.org | emily(a)phoenixbikes.org [image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 <https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%202…> [image: icon] (703) 346-0035

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Now Hiring: Lincoln (Nebraska) Bike Kitchen Executive Director
by Director Lincoln Bike Kitchen 02 May '24

02 May '24

Please spread the word about this job posting. We are looking for a full-time executive director with nonprofit skills who loves bikes! The full posting is available at:https://www.lincolnbikekitchen.org/careers I am also happy to answer any questions about the position as I have been at Lincoln Bike Kitchen for the last 4 months. It truly is a great group of volunteers to work with. Ingrid -- Ingrid Kirst Interim Executive Director Lincoln Bike Kitchen<http://lincolnbikekitchen.org/>

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We're Hiring a Mechanics Instructor!
by Emily Gage 22 Apr '24

22 Apr '24

Hi Friends, Our team at Phoenix Bikes <https://www.phoenixbikes.org/> in Arlington, Virginia is growing, and we're adding a part-time Mechanics Instructor/Youth Instructor position. We're seeking candidates who excel at relationship building with youth, are experienced bike mechanics, and thrive in fast-paced environments. This team member would mostly work weekday afternoons and Saturdays, teaching 6th-12th grade youth how to fix bikes! For more information or to apply, please visit the job posting on Indeed here: Phoenix Bikes Mechanics Instructor <https://www.indeed.com/job/mechanics-instructor-8f5fb4d9dccbcdb6>. *Who We Are* Phoenix Bikes is an Arlington, Virginia nonprofit that uniquely combines youth educational programs with a full-service bike shop. We pursue a dynamic mission: harnessing the power of bikes to help youth build passion, purpose, and a place in the community . Warmly, Emily _________________ [image: Phoenix Bikes] <https://www.phoenixbikes.org/> *Emily Gage* Executive Director, Phoenix Bikes www.phoenixbikes.org | emily(a)phoenixbikes.org [image: icon] 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22204 <https://maps.google.com/?q=909%20S.%20Dinwiddie%20St.%20Arlington,%20VA%202…> [image: icon] (703) 346-0035

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ebikes
by Todd Spinner 22 Apr '24

22 Apr '24

Our coop, The BIke Project of Urbana-Champaign in Illinois, currently bans electronic or ebikes. There is some pressure to change this policy. What kinds of policies do other coops have in regards to ebikes? Regards, -- Todd Spinner The Bike Project

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Help Old Spokes Home find a new Executive Director
by Jon Copans 18 Apr '24

18 Apr '24

Hi there, Old Spokes Home is a community-supported non-profit bike shop in Burlington Vermont. I am writing to ask for help in spreading the word about the search for a new Executive Director. You can learn more about the organization here <http://www.oldspokeshome.com> And the link to the job posting is here - http://bit.ly/exec-dir-old-spokes-home. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and the deadline to apply is April 30. Thanks, Jon Copans -- (Outgoiing) Executive Director Old Spokes Home <https://www.oldspokeshome.com/> jon(a)oldspokeshome.com <http://www.oldspokeshome.com>

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Bike mechanics lesson plans?
by Nikki Meyer 08 Apr '24

08 Apr '24

Hello all, At Yellow Bike Project we are offering beginner and intermediate adult classes in bike mechanics. We'd like to have lesson plans for all our courses so prospective teachers can use them to organize their thoughts. Right now we have them for all our beginner classes, but need more for the intermediate courses and the guy who teaches them right now is a genius but doesn't want to write down his lesson plans because he says they'll end up being 50 pages long (and we believe it!). Do any of you have pdfs of lesson plans you could send us to work off for ours? Right now we need plans for: - headsets - hubs - cranks and bottom brackets - brakes systems - shifting systems - wheel building If you wouldn't mind sending any materials you have my way, I'd be eternally grateful! Thank you, Nikki Meyer

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Exciting Citizen science opportunity for bike mobility policy in your city /Oportunidad extraordinaria de hacer ciencia ciudadana para la bici mobilidad en tu ciudad
by Angela Cardenas 06 Apr '24

06 Apr '24

Hi everyone, There´s an exciting citizen science opportunity this month which will provide evidence to guide your city´s local bike and sustainable mobility policies. It’s a great opportunity to engage participation in promotion of your city´s sustainability mobility. The aim of this activity is to measure and compare travel times of bicycles, public transportation, and cars on the 30th of April. This has been a bike promoter led activity that has been supported by academics and local authorities in different cities of Chile, Argentina, Peru and Ecuador. And this year, they (@MedicionEficienciaTransportes) are inviting more cities to participate in countries that haven´t participated before like Mexico, the United States, Canada, Brazil, ect! All materials are provided by the initiative for your city to participate which includes the measurement form, sample letter invitations to academics and local authorities, and graphic materials for the event announcement. The Chilean originators of the initiative will also be available in the coming weeks to provide guidance to new cities joining in. It’s easier than it sounds just organizing your collective to decide on your one travel origin and destiny, a second or more if you´re ambitious. Selecting a measurement time during rush hour, inviting participants on different modes of transport to the starting time and point, and meeting them at the destination point. Traffic rules must be obeyed, no cheating allowed! MEMT Team Whatsapp Contact: +56 9 9216 8624 ------------------------------ Hola todes! Hay una oportunidad extraordinario de hacer cambio através de la ciencia ciudadana este mes que aportará evidencia para orientar las políticas locales de movilidad sostenible y en bici de tu ciudad. Además, es una gran oportunidad para fomentar la participación en la promoción de la movilidad sostenible de tu ciudad. El objetivo de esta actividad es medir y comparar los tiempos de viaje de las bicicletas, el transporte público y los automóviles el 30 de abril. Esta ha sido una actividad liderada por promotores de la bicicleta que ha sido apoyada por académicos y autoridades locales en diferentes ciudades de Chile, Argentina, Perú y Ecuador. ¡Y este año, están invitando ( @MedicionEficienciaTransportes) a participar a más ciudades en países que no han participado antes como México, Estados Unidos, Canadá, Brasil, ect! La iniciativa proporciona todos los materiales para que tu ciudad participe, que incluyen el formulario de medición, modelos de cartas de invitación a académicos y autoridades locales, y materiales gráficos para el anuncio del evento. Los creadores chilenos de la iniciativa también estarán disponibles en las próximas semanas para orientar a las nuevas ciudades que se sumen. Es más fácil de lo que parece: organiza a tu colectivo para decidir un punto de origen y destino de viaje, un segundo o más si eres ambiciosx. Elegir una hora de medición a la hora pico, invita a participar en distintos medios de transporte a la hora elegida en el punto de partida, y reunirte con elles en el punto de destino. ¡Hay que respetar las normas de tráfico, no trampas! Contacto de Whatsapp de Grupo MEMT: +56 9 9216 8624

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collecting bikes from municipal eco-stations/waste dropoff sites
by alex.hindle＠bikeedmonton.ca 04 Apr '24

04 Apr '24

Hello! We're talking with managers at our city eco stations (household waste dropoff sites) about their collecting bikes that we (Bike Edmonton) can then pickup to reuse. They already get a lot of bikes dropped off in their scrap metal bins, but these are all scrapped at the moment. I wondered if any other groups have arrangements with waste drop-off sites/reuse centres to do this? If so, can you share the arrangement you have and process you use. Do you select useful bikes from a big pile, do workers there filter out what they think are good bikes, or do you have to take them all? This seems to be one of the bigger challenges we need to figure out. Thanks very much!

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Community Cycles is hiring a production manager
by Ann Haebig 04 Apr '24

04 Apr '24

I'm just the messenger; please read the description send a resume & cover letter to manager@communitycycles if you're interested. Thanks! -Ann Position Title: Production Manager Purpose: The Production Manager will lead a team of mechanics that produce safe, reliable refurbished bikes and parts in an efficient time frame for resale out of the retail shop of Community Cycles. While fostering an effective and engaging team environment and working with the Shop Director and Sales Manager to set pricing that is fair for customers and the organization. Experience: The Production Manager must be an experienced bike mechanic and have extensive experience with bicycles and their resale value to determine their destination. A wide range of the intricacies of component compatibility is essential. Must be able to quickly recognize unsafe, cracked, and bent frames that should not be built up. Responsibilities: Refurbishing donated bikes that are for sale in our shop. Managing the most cost-effective route for refurbishment by using new or used parts. Overseeing the flow/systems of refurbished bikes and used parts, including: - Evaluating final destination for all Bikes/parts (recycled/refurbished/parted out/sold as is) - Safety check/quality control of bikes built by other mechanics & volunteers to ensure they meet the high standards for safety and performance. - Delegating specific projects to shop mechanics on a daily/weekly basis - Overseeing and maintaining the production area cleanliness & keeping tools in order, as well as, maintaining an inventory of backstock parts (including special orders). - Working on bicycle refurbishment as needed - This position will involve working on your feet for up to 7 hours per shift as well as working some weekends and/or evenings. - Fostering an engaging team environment through collaboration, sharing wins and successes, using an open-door approach, and inspiring everyone to perform at their best. - Frequently providing actionable positive and corrective feedback to direct reports, both informally and formally. - Timely and effectively dealing with low performers and being willing to make tough personnel decisions when needed. - Communicating with Staff (email, spreadsheets, documentation) - Investing significant time to help all direct reports grow and learn through challenging tasks and assignments. - Coordinating with the sales manager and shop director for needs regarding parts, tools, supplies, etc. - Involving in the Staffing of the production mechanic team, identifying and hiring strong talent for the team. Production Manager should set a strong example for the other mechanics in terms of quality of builds and professional demeanor. Other mechanics should be able to look to the Production Manager's work to learn the standards of work for bikes that we will sell at Community Cycles. The Production Manager may be occasionally asked to oversee special events such as the Kids’ Holiday Bike Giveaway or offered the chance to pick up extra shifts working teaching or wrenching for outside organizations. The Production Manager will be expected to attend mechanic-specific staff meetings where policies and implementation changes may be discussed. Reports to: Shop Manager regularly works with the Sales Manager. Compensation: Salary $40k to $48K to start Hours: 32 - 40 Benefits: Paid time off. Health stipend if PM works 20 hours + a week. Simple IRA contribution. Send resume and cover letter to: manager(a)communtiycycles.org Job Closes 5/31/24

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B!B!E! Fiscal Sponsorship Update
by Bike!Bike! Everywhere! 19 Mar '24

19 Mar '24

EnglishWhat’s up? The Open Collective Foundation (Bike!Bike! Everywhere!’s fiscal sponsor) is shutting down. <https://docs.opencollective.foundation/> What is the Open Collective Foundation?Short version They have been doing legal paperwork and banking so we can transparently handle money for B!B!E! and basic tech expenses (such as website hosting). Long version The Bike!Bike!Everywhere! conference and community have been organized by a small group spread across the Americas. We have worked with a fiscal sponsor, the Open Collective Foundation to handle B!B!E!’s finances. They allowed us to collect and distribute funds and receive nonprofit status without having to file as much paperwork as a nonprofit normally would. This grew <https://opencollective.com/bikebike-everywhere/updates/end-of-year-update-n…> to include some of the technology behind the Bike Collectives Wiki <http://bikecollectives.org/wiki>, The Think Tank mailing list <https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikeco…>, and the Bike!Bike! conference registration system <http://bikebike.org>. Ok, OCF is shutting down (in an orderly fashion). What does this mean for our community? There is no longer a way for B!B!E! to receive donations. Our savings will still be accessible until September, and we have enough money to keep the websites and everything else running while donations are closed. Interesting. What’s next? The planning team is currently applying to other fiscal sponsors and we are working to resolve this in the next few months. They are also working on general event planning, so watch for other email announcements on that topic as well! Español¿Qué pasa? La Open Collective Foundation (patrocinadora fiscal de Bike!Bike! Everywhere!) echa el cierre. <https://docs.opencollective.foundation/> ¿Qué es la Fundación Colectivo Abierto?Versión corta Han estado haciendo el papeleo legal y bancario para que podamos manejar de forma transparente el dinero para B!B!E! y los gastos básicos de tecnología (como el alojamiento del sitio web). Versión larga La conferencia y la comunidad ¡Bike!Bike!Everywhere! han sido organizadas por un pequeño grupo repartido por todo el continente americano. Hemos trabajado con un patrocinador fiscal, la Open Collective Foundation, para gestionar las finanzas de ¡B!B!E! Nos permitieron recaudar y distribuir fondos y recibir el estatus de organización sin ánimo de lucro sin tener que presentar tanto papeleo como lo haría normalmente una organización sin ánimo de lucro. Esto se amplió para incluir parte de la tecnología que hay detrás de la Wiki de Bike Collectives <http://bikecollectives.org/wiki>, la lista de correo The Think Tank <https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikeco…> y el sistema de inscripción a la conferencia Bike!Bike! <http://bikebike.org> Vale, OCF cierra (de forma ordenada). ¿Qué significa esto para nuestra comunidad? B!B!E! ya no podrá recibir donaciones. Nuestros ahorros seguirán siendo accesibles hasta septiembre, y tenemos suficiente dinero para mantener las páginas web y todo lo demás funcionando mientras se cierran las donaciones. Interesante. ¿Y ahora qué? El equipo de planificación está solicitando otros patrocinadores fiscales y estamos trabajando para resolverlo en los próximos meses. También están trabajando en la planificación general del evento, ¡así que esté atento a otros anuncios por correo electrónico sobre ese tema también! Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor DeepL.com

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