- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] Deal with the devil!
by Doug Franz 27 Jan '13

27 Jan '13

Ron, thanks for the apology, but you’re right. I shouldn’t be telling kids their bike is worth 10 cents a pound. After all, it’s their bike! In general, I’m more sensitive than that, but I can always be better. The goal is to help them see the difference between Wally’s bikes and “bike shop” bikes, but they won’t hear the message if I bully them into it. Thank you for keeping me straight. Doug Franz, President BikeWorks_3_wText <http://coatesvillebikeworks.org/> coatesvillebikeworks.org like us on facebook! <http://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleBikeWorks> http://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleBikeWorks <mailto:doug@coatesvillebikeworks.org> doug(a)coatesvillebikeworks.org 610-383-4349 From: Recycle [mailto:recyclebikesforkids@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 10:02 PM To: doug(a)coatesvillebikeworks.org; The Think Tank Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Deal with the devil! Doug. Thank you for the response. I shouldn't have taken you to task publicly. For that I apologize I do think there is a place for WM bikes, mainly as a stage bike for kids who will outgrow them in a season, I too struggle with those who feel entitled but that is parents not kids. Ron Sent from my iPhone

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Deal with the devil!
by Doug Franz 26 Jan '13

26 Jan '13

The strangest thing happened last night. I was at an open house for another charity here in Coatesville, talking up our charity because it's my job, and I was introduced to the District Manager of Wal*Mart. I'm not a Wal*Mart fan. I understand they fill a need in society, and obviously lots of people don't subscribe to my point of view or else they wouldn't be as successful as they are. But for me, I would rather give up other luxuries to afford the more expensive products at my neighborhood store than buy them from the Wal*Mart in town. I actually feel some joy when one of our kids asks me what his Wal*Mart bike is worth, and I answer "10 cents a pound!" Anyhow, this woman explained to me that Wal*Mart doesn't have a system for handling the bicycles that get returned to them or that arrive with defects from the manufacturer. She asked me if they could be sent to us as a donation. I explained to her that we accept bicycle donations, but typically the Wal*Mart bikes get stripped for parts and recycled. She asked if they could send them to us anyhow. I pointed out that we incur some costs in the processing of this material, and if we decide to fix some of them up there is the costs of the parts. She asked if they could send a check along with the bikes. So, we made a deal. Wal*Mart stores in her district will send us bikes they can't use, along with $20 per bicycle. We have 35 bikes arriving next week. This will be interesting. . . . Doug Franz, President BikeWorks_3_wText coatesvillebikeworks.org <http://coatesvillebikeworks.org/> like us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleBikeWorks doug(a)coatesvillebikeworks.org 610-383-4349 I respect your right to manage the amount of email you receive. If you want to be removed from this email list, please reply to ONLY ME, with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes
by summitcyclingcenter＠yahoo.com 26 Jan '13

26 Jan '13

I've built a couple of simple bike trailers. Thanks for the photos. I really like your design. I would like to see your hitch and tow bar design. Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile ----- Reply message ----- From: christopher(a)holisticcycles.com To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes Date: Fri, Jan 25, 2013 12:16 I build trailers without welding at all, some handle up to 1200 pound. I weld other trailers because I can. My thoughts are this, if I am teaching kids to think about designing, engineering, constructing things; I want them to be able to do it in the future with the tools they or their parents may all ready have at home or tool they can buy inexpensively. Some kids may have a welder at home, More kids will have a drill. I built my trailers with a drill and a conduit bender. I normally haul 350 to 400 pounds of gear with it. It can be made small to haul groceries or large to carry a sofa. We are currently making one to carry 12 bikes and the gear to teach a mobile bicycle safety course at schools. Christopher WallaceHolistic Cycles140 Harrison StOak Park, IL. 60304 -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes From: Nozomi Ikuta <nozomi(a)affordablebikesrecyclery.com> Date: Wed, January 23, 2013 8:28 pm To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> That was my thought exactly -- this is where our thoughts headed when we thought about welding. Cargo trailers, that is! On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 5:20 PM, <christopher(a)holisticcycles.com> wrote: what about building trailers Christopher Wallace Holistic Cycles140 Harrison StOak Park, IL. 60304 -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes From: "Bronwyn Potthoff" <bpotthoff(a)gwi.net> Date: Fri, January 18, 2013 8:55 am To: <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Hello, We’ve been unsuccessfully trying to secure insurance to initiate a welding/fabrication program through the Community Bicycle Center. Ideally, we’re helping youth develop technical job skills through creating low-rider and chopper bicycles --- but the point of the program is not about bikes, it’s about learning the welding and fabrication skills necessary to create a tricked-out ride. The major obstacle we hear from insurance companies is that we’re creating a high-risk “Frankenstein” product (or “functional art”) that is extremely hard to insure. As soon as we chop a bike, the manufacturer’s warranty is null and void (for good reason!) The actual welding with kids is not a huge issue – it’s what happens if a weld breaks or a kid injures him/herself going off jump with a bike that is not build to handle such stressors. Waivers and disclaimers will only go so far and are not bullet-proof. Because we’re a commercial entity, it’s obviously not covered under any homeowner’s insurance policy (which would be what covers you if you’re helping your nine year-old neighbor weld a sick mutant bike). Also, vocational school insurance functions differently – I checked that too. I may end up having to change the program so that our “product” is not a bike, but something less risky such as a static sculpture. Regardless, does anybody have any experience with securing insurance for commercial (aka nonprofit) welding work with kids during which a “product” gets fabricated? [Keep in mind, all programs are free AND the product created is also free --- no bill of sale is involved] I’ve touched base with other programs around the country that do similar work, but have not heard back. Thanks!! If it makes more sense to talk through this via phone, my number is 207 282 9700. Bronwyn Potthoff, Resource Development/Community Relations Director Community Bicycle Center(mailing) P.O. Box 783(shop) 284 Hill Street Biddeford, Maine 04005t: 207.282.9700 www.communitybike.net Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.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)lists.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)lists.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.…

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Bicycle Registry
by Cycle Re Cycle Cycle-Re-Cycle swm 26 Jan '13

26 Jan '13

Hello All, Our community, non-profit bike shop, Cycle-Re-Cycle, is looking into the logistics of starting a community bicycle registry. The local police department doesn't have anything like it and bicycle theft is pretty rampant in our community. We keep serial numbers and descriptions on all bikes we sell, so it seems that the next step is just to print stickers with a sequential number on it to adhere to all the bikes leaving the shop. Has anyone ever started a bicycle registry like this? Thoughts or tips? Thanks Cycle-Re-Cycle Benton Harbor, MI

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 26 Jan '13

26 Jan '13

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 23 Jan '13

23 Jan '13

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Bikes Not Bombs has some temporary jobs available
by Sarah Braker 23 Jan '13

23 Jan '13

Hi Everyone, Bikes Not Bombs in Boston is gearing up for our annual Bike-A-Thon, our biggest fundraising event of the year, and we're hiring two temporary/part-time jobs. One is a Phone Outreach Coordinator, the other is Route Coordinator. Specific job descriptions are here: https://bikesnotbombs.org/hiring-route-coordinator and https://bikesnotbombs.org/hiring-phone-outreach-coordinator Please apply if interested or pass along to folks you may know. Thanks! -- Sarah Braker Communications Manager Bikes Not Bombs 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617-522-0222 ext. 104 www.bikesnotbombs.org <http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/youth> Donate online <http://bikesnotbombs.org/support> to support our work! Follow us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/bikesnotbombs> and Twitter<http://twitter.com/bikesnotbombs> !

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Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes
by Bronwyn Potthoff 21 Jan '13

21 Jan '13

Hello, We've been unsuccessfully trying to secure insurance to initiate a welding/fabrication program through the Community Bicycle Center. Ideally, we're helping youth develop technical job skills through creating low-rider and chopper bicycles --- but the point of the program is not about bikes, it's about learning the welding and fabrication skills necessary to create a tricked-out ride. The major obstacle we hear from insurance companies is that we're creating a high-risk "Frankenstein" product (or "functional art") that is extremely hard to insure. As soon as we chop a bike, the manufacturer's warranty is null and void (for good reason!) The actual welding with kids is not a huge issue - it's what happens if a weld breaks or a kid injures him/herself going off jump with a bike that is not build to handle such stressors. Waivers and disclaimers will only go so far and are not bullet-proof. Because we're a commercial entity, it's obviously not covered under any homeowner's insurance policy (which would be what covers you if you're helping your nine year-old neighbor weld a sick mutant bike). Also, vocational school insurance functions differently - I checked that too. I may end up having to change the program so that our "product" is not a bike, but something less risky such as a static sculpture. Regardless, does anybody have any experience with securing insurance for commercial (aka nonprofit) welding work with kids during which a "product" gets fabricated? [Keep in mind, all programs are free AND the product created is also free --- no bill of sale is involved] I've touched base with other programs around the country that do similar work, but have not heard back. Thanks!! If it makes more sense to talk through this via phone, my number is 207 282 9700. Bronwyn Potthoff, Resource Development/Community Relations Director Community Bicycle Center (mailing) P.O. Box 783 (shop) 284 Hill Street Biddeford, Maine 04005 t: 207.282.9700 www.communitybike.net <http://www.facebook.com/CommunityBicycleCenter> Facebook Round Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow

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Laminate flooring in your showroom?
by Rich Points 21 Jan '13

21 Jan '13

Hey All, We're going to be receiving a nice chunk of change for shop renovations this year. This will allow us to build a loft, upgrade the HVAC, install some windows and other cool projects. I'm considering using laminate flooring in the showroom. I've lived in houses with laminate flooring for many years and have found it to be quite durable. However I'm not sure how it would hold up in high traffic situations like the showroom. Do any of you have experience with this? How about alternative floor coverings? Thx -- -- Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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Opportunity for the mechanically inclined & community interested
by kelsey snelgrove 20 Jan '13

20 Jan '13

Interesting & enriching opportunity - bikes, community, farming! We are looking for a motivated, resourceful bicycle mechanic to run our shop this summer. We are offering a unique opportunity; live with us on our 30+ acre farm comprised of 5 adults + one child, a fluctuating number of farm interns and visitors, cows, goats, pigs, ducks & chickens. With the right person, we are happy to share our space, resources and home grown food. The bike shop is located right on the farm, in the Shushwap area of BC, near a small town (pop. 2000). There are no other bike repair services for 60 km in any direction. An influx of tourists in the summer as well as a diverse local population means all kinds of repairs, refurbishing projects, and sales. Our shop is fully tooled (including welder) and we have an extensive stock of bikes and parts. We are also interested in creating bicycle powered machines to make our farm more efficient. Our dream mechanic can: - work independently and creatively - determine a bike’s worth, has a good understanding of manufactures and eras - keep good records, run a til and deal with customers. - organize and run workshops for the general public - able to fix and build up bikes resourcefully - live and work with a varied group of people We are open to discussing the arrangement, possibly offering a small stipend or different possibilities for earning money while here. We’re very flexible, if intrigued please contact us to learn more about our farm and this opportunity. goldenearsfarm(a)gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/groups/38812009317/?fref=ts www.goldenearsfarm.com (in progress!) > From: thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Subject: Thethinktank Digest, Vol 77, Issue 30 > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:12:50 -0800 > > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. jobs & more jobs (Geoff Heath) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:30:01 -0600 > From: Geoff Heath <mech(a)thewrench.ca> > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Subject: [TheThinkTank] jobs & more jobs > Message-ID: > <CANeqvpCNJKXKrXEsK4U0AWOo2X33jak4cMQ3VF+8sa2uR97W6w(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > hey folks > The WRENCH community bike shop here in Winnipeg, MB is hiring for a > volunteer coordinator. Position is 28 hr/week @ $17/hr with benefits. > There's much more to the position than just coordinating (teaching in the > shop, admin, etc) so please check out the posting on our website here; > http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WRENCH-Volunteer-C… > Closes Feb .11. > We'll gladly do interviews by skype if you're from outta town and can > likely help you find housing if you get the job. > yup. > > Also, Hub City Cycles Community Co-op in Nanaimo, BC is hiring for the > spring. > Contact them for details. > -- > Geoff Heath, Mechanical Director > The Winnipeg Repair Education N' Cycling Hub > 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 > www.TheWrench.ca >

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jobs & more jobs
by Geoff Heath 18 Jan '13

18 Jan '13

hey folks The WRENCH community bike shop here in Winnipeg, MB is hiring for a volunteer coordinator. Position is 28 hr/week @ $17/hr with benefits. There's much more to the position than just coordinating (teaching in the shop, admin, etc) so please check out the posting on our website here; http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WRENCH-Volunteer-C… Closes Feb .11. We'll gladly do interviews by skype if you're from outta town and can likely help you find housing if you get the job. yup. Also, Hub City Cycles Community Co-op in Nanaimo, BC is hiring for the spring. Contact them for details. -- Geoff Heath, Mechanical Director The Winnipeg Repair Education N' Cycling Hub 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 www.TheWrench.ca

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Hiring a FT Experienced Mechanic in Minneapolis!
by Crystal Brinkman 17 Jan '13

17 Jan '13

Hello Everyone! We are excited to be a part of the Think Tank Community! Full Cycle is hiring a FT, experienced bike mechanic to help us out. Our programs and business keep growing! Please see the below links to the job description (applicants must apply online but are encouraged to stop by!) and to our website to learn more about Full Cycle: fullcyclebikeshop.org https://careers-macc.icims.com/jobs/1691/full-cycle-bicycle-mechanic/job Thanks! Crystal Brinkman Shop Manager/Instructor

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Food in classroom
by Patrick VDT 16 Jan '13

16 Jan '13

Do you feed your students during, before or after programs? Are you linking to any type of nutritional programing? If so how long is it per session? Is it a standard course or is it something you have come up with to fit your needs? Thanks Patrick

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Metrics
by Patrick VDT 16 Jan '13

16 Jan '13

Hello everyone, Below is a list of metrics we are tracking or starting to track. I would love any input everyone might have on what im missing. Im also looking for examples of groups who have worked with schools to track attendance and grades etc etc of graduates of programs we/you offer. How long do you track students? What level of support do you get from the schools in managing all this data? Thanks so much, Patrick Financial Percent of funds spent on non-program activities Total program expense Total administrative expense Total fundraising expense Fundraising efficiency Program cost per participant Social Enterprise/Environmental % of revenue coming from shop(s) Quantity of bikes donated to other programs Quantity of computers donated to other programs Quantity of bikes sold in year Pounds of materials recycled/upcycled Customer - Clients/Family/Community/Donors Quantity of program graduates Quantity of program alumni Program attrition rate Quantity of program participants related to program alumni Quantity of parents involved in programs Quantity of youth who participated in multiple programs Quantity of youth who later volunteer with us or another organization Quantity of functional desktop and laptop computers in the home prior to completion of EAC program Quantity of students who have never had their own bike prior to EAB Youth participation by census tract Distribution of participants by gender Distribution of participants by age Impact on attendance or engagement in classwork (For school based programs) Short term impact: perception of improvement in responsibility, teamwork, respect, leadership, positive outlook/attitude, etc.; interest in improving grades; increase in activity (or career interest) related to our subject areas Longer term impact: same, but add number of high school graduates, GPA, college pursuit/completion, career pursuit related to our subject areas, participant perception of the value of programs. Program registrations People - Staff/Volunteer/Board Total quantity of hours volunteered Percent of program instruction by volunteers Percent of total hours by volunteers Quantity of core volunteers Total hours of program instruction delivered

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bike swap
by Dave Ellis 16 Jan '13

16 Jan '13

I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes: Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure. Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value? Thanks much, dave

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Successful youth bike programs + video
by Christine Bourgeois 14 Jan '13

14 Jan '13

Hi all, Just want to share an article about how our successful youth bike programs have positive impact on the community in Santa Barbara county. *http://tinyurl.com/bbxv9f6* Don't miss our NEW short video http://vimeo.com/55427786 Other exciting news: our community bike shop Bici Centro moved to a new location. http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_nonprofits-bici_centro/ All the best, -- Christine Bourgeois 805 699 6301 Education Director Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBC) * * *New location for SBBC/Bici Centro* 506 E. Haley St (next to Muddy Waters Coffee Shop) www.bicicentro.org

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AmeriCorps opportunity at the Iowa City Bike Library
by Brian Loring 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

Greetings, The Bike Library in Iowa City <http://www.bikelibrary.org/> has an opening for an AmeriCorps. The position is part shop director and part community organizer. This is an extraordinary opportunity to work with some fun people in a progressive university community. Thanks! Brian Loring [image: Inline image 3] <http://www.bikelibrary.org/>

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upcoming bike research/activism event
by Sarah McCullough 10 Jan '13

10 Jan '13

Hey all, I just wanted to share an upcoming event that I am organizing about the many cultures fostered around bicycling. Since bike collective often have some pretty rad cultural happening going on in their space, I thought I'd share this. If you have any questions, let me know. And feel free to share with more people doing great bike work, whether in the library or on the streets (or both!). * Bicicultures Roadshow: The Critical Bicycling Studies Tour de California Call for Participants April 16-17, 2013 in Davis, California What is it? The Bicicultures Roadshow will be a time for activists and researchers to talk, ride, eat, and play as we discuss and experience bicycling cultures. At this two-day conference, we will grapple with the shifting role of bicycle research and activism as it crosses lines between policy, recreation, and radical organizing. The event will take place in Davis, a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community, home of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, and site of the first bike lanes in the U.S. This event is made possible through support from the University of California Transportation Center. Why Bicicultures? “Bicicultures” refers to the multiple social worlds of bicycling that co-exist, but may not overlap, in shared spaces. Rather than taking bicycling as a unitary object of analysis, we seek to investigate the construction of diverse meanings around the practice of cycling across time and space. What will happen at the event? Rather than following a traditional conference format of breakout sessions and individual papers, this event will emphasize ongoing discussion among all participants. Events may include keynote speakers, roundtable discussions, interactive panel presentations, workshops, field trips, and bicycle rides. We anticipate vibrant discussions about how diverse communities are using and thinking about bicycling as a tool to maintain and reinvent their worlds. Specific topics and formats will be formulated based on participant interest. We anticipate conversations around topics such as race, gender, class, ability, gentrification, activism, public space, embodiment, technology, design, recreation and sport, sustainability, mobilities, and more. How can I participate? We encourage participation from researchers and activists working in urban and transportation bicycling and in sport and recreational cycling, as well as those concerned with bicycling's social and cultural life. To participate, please submit a short piece (~500 words) explaining your interest in bicycling cultures, and what research, project, experience, or knowledge you would like to share at this event. Depending on your inclination, this may take the form of a research abstract, description of activist work, questions for discussion, workshop ideas, etc. Include your name, affiliation (if appropriate), and contact information. Group submissions welcome. Participation may be limited, so please submit by February 10th for full consideration. Submissions and inquiries can be sent to Sarah Rebolloso McCullough at smcc(a)ucdavis.edu and Adonia Lugo at lugoa(a)uci.edu. What makes it a roadshow? Prior to the Davis event, we will also participate in a field investigation of Los Angeles' bicycling worlds in tandem with the Association of American Geographers conference (April 9-14th). This event will include organized rides and a roundtable discussion about the history and future of the LA bike movement. Participants in the Davis event are welcome, though not expected, to participate in LA events. Those who are able to attend all events will enjoy vibrant conversations with people dedicated to the study and practice of bicycling from a multitude of perspectives—from sanctioned bicycle events to autonomous actions, from bicycling street fair to bike repair garages, from cities to countryside. Participants are encouraged to attend as much or as little of the Roadshow as desired, all nine days or just an afternoon. Contact the organizers for more information about the LA components.* -- Sarah Rebolloso McCullough Cultural Studies Ph.D. candidate University of California - Davis Provost Dissertation Fellow 530-601-1149 smcc(a)ucdavis.edu

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Cookbook Volume 3!
by Ainsley Naylor 08 Jan '13

08 Jan '13

Hey all, This is the official callout for the 3rd volume of *Meal To Wheels: Vegan Cooking to Turn Your Cranks*. M2W is a vegan recipe zine prepared for Bike Pirates, both as exposure for our food programming and as a way to encourage new cooks to discover the kitchen and try out new recipes. We encourage our friends and allies to contribute original or modified recipes *which can easily be prepared for large groups* (at least 15-20 people, if not 50!), which are vegan and do not require strange or expensive ingredients or apparatus. We also love recipes which could be a jumping off point for further experimentation in the kitchen. This volume will also have a special Bicycle Touring section (which may end up being a pull out zine format...) so we are also soliciting specific recipes for bike touring as well as prep/packing/nutrition tips for those requiring fuel for long days. Please submit recipes to lunch(a)bikepirates.com by February 15th, and we will have the book prepared some time in March. Every contributor will receive a free copy. Copies of the first two zines are available at BIKE PIRATES or via digital copy if you email me. Thanks! Keep the rubber side down. Ainsley.

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Recycle-A-Bicycle is hiring an Educator - NYC
by Pasqualina Azzarello 08 Jan '13

08 Jan '13

Greetings, Everyone! Recycle-A-Bicycle is hiring an educator to teach bike maintenance and youth ambassadors classes as part of our Greening Western Queens initiative. A job description is attached below. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible. Please feel free to share! Best, Pasqualina -- Pasqualina Azzarello Executive Director Recycle-A-Bicycle Ph: 718-858-2972 Fax: 718-858-6201 http://www.recycleabicycle.org Follow us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Recycle-A-Bicycle/62453932286> Follow us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/#!/RAB_NYC>

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What has been the role of bikes after Sandy?
by Rich Points 07 Jan '13

07 Jan '13

Hey East coasters, Have you guys seen more people riding bikes after the hurricane? What has been the role of the bike after the storm? I hope it's getting people to ride to work for the first time and maybe create some new commuters. Curious in Boulder. -- -- Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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About working on E-bikes..
by Wendy Monroe 05 Jan '13

05 Jan '13

Hello Think Tankers.. I got so caught thinking about the 'bike is infected forever…' meme that I forgot to mention : E-bikes are problematic to work on. Every off-the-shelf complete E-bike that I have seen so far ( in Amsterdam) , has a proprietary electrical system that only the authorized dealer can get parts for. The Dutch brands Sparta and Batavus require a confidential computer code to be entered into the bike's charge controller by an authorized retailer, to even replace a battery. (Customers are typically not informed of this at point of purchase.. they find out a couple of years later that a battery replacement will cost them €500 ) It gets worse with conversion kits. Each kit has a proprietary motor controller, battery and charge control circuit, and each of these components are incompatible with those of other manufacturers. I have seen a few quality control problems on cheaper kits, that ( I've read that the Stoke Monkey kit has parts that can be bought off the shelf at an electrical supplier, but I have not seen one in person ) My partner is an electrical engineer who has built up ( and attempted to repair ) hub motors and several electrification kits on his own bikes, It appears that mixing and matching a working system from parts of E-bike kits, from different manufacturers, simply can't be done, at least in our experience. I agree that E-bike riders are cyclists too … but procuring parts for an e-bike is a very different experience than with a mechanical bike, and if you don't have parts from the original manufacturer, you might be avoiding some grief to have a policy against working on them in your shop. Does anyone out there have any experience with working on E-bikes they would like to share? Wendy Monroe

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'The bike has been infected forever'… with the electrification virus ( ? ! )
by Wendy Monroe 04 Jan '13

04 Jan '13

Hello think tankers, I'm seeing a lot of this sort of talk in the Netherlands… Is there a broad trend in the States moving this direction, as well? This Extra Energy organization is not thinking in terms of Cheap chinese made imports but rather of very pricey ( typically ) German products. Or perhaps German branded products, manufactured in China…. But I see e-bikes in general as somewhat of a threat to those of us who love non electrified bicycles. Any thoughts on this, fellow Americans? http://extraenergy.org/main.php?language=en&category=information&subcateg=9… Wendy

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Support women.
by Plan B 04 Jan '13

04 Jan '13

Hey Y'all, As you may be aware, one of the overriding characteristics of Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project is our belief and constant practice of "practical radicalism". We believe that one of the most efficient and practicable ways to espouse culture shift is by performing outreach and enacting mutual social aid. We've learned this in a concise manner during our history. We made the original call for Bike!Bike! in 2004, a tradition that has progressed into an enormous gathering that crosses borders and causes global impact. We're proud to host Bike!Bike! X, the tenth gathering and conference and hope to introduce new traditions by expanding programming and offering more than ever before. The Chainbreaker book, written by Shelley Jackson and Ethan Clark is another one of Plan B's babies and it's publishing was a definite push for DIY culture. Due to the generosity of Working Bikes in Chicago, we have a regular supply of raw materials and used bikes that we use to teach classes and further our outreach. We have shared the bikes with new community bike projects in Mississippi and Alabama and are eager to distribute more regionally. We also use the sale of bikes to fund the space and special projects like our recent trip to present at 5^th Annual National Urban Cycling Congress in Oaxaca, Mexico. We co-presented with representatives from several other community bike initiatives from across the US in an attempt to espouse more like-minded initiatives as a force of economic and social justice throughout all of the Americas. Our presentation garnered a lot of interest and we are working with several new initiatives throughout Mexico in a support and advisory role. We know that outreach is working and we expect a strong presence of Mexican allies at Bike!Bike! X. One of the more exciting things that happened at Bike!Bike! 2012 was that race was /finally/a real topic. Contributing factors were a combination of workshops and the presence of more people of color at Bike!Bike! than ever before. The Ovarian Psychos ( http://ovarianpsycos.com/about/ ) were an impressive presence at the gathering and for the first time ever, an organized group by and for women with a strong base of people of color unified many within our group. These sisters don't mess around and they are now committed to launching their own community bike space. Plan B Ladies, Trans and Sissies night ( http://bikeproject.org/programs/ladies-trans-queer ) has committed to help them accomplish this[ and ]that's why we're asking for your support. Our latest initiative is a little different and for the first time ever, we're crowd-sourcing the funding. Our Ladies, Trans, and Sissies night coordinators, Tracey and Alisha, are going from LA to L.A. to support the OP's and bring them resources and materials. The reason I'm sending this out to the ThinkTank and distributing this appeal far and wide (and hoping you all do the same) is that I think for many of us this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a cause that is greater than any of us and something that's always been prevalent in our discussions of social equity within our milieu. Specifically, the topic is gender and gender oppression, and no matter how much we discuss it at a conference or try to resolve it, the bluntest truth is that the core of the hard work in achieving gender equity is done by women, for women and while males can certainly be allies and supporters, the best situation is to allow women to be self-determined and invest in their own communities devoid of patriarchy and male voices. Won't you join us in supporting gender equity and social justice within the realm of community bike projects? Even if it's $5, anything helps for this important work to be done. The goal of $1000 is on the low side. We'd love to be able to support them fiscally and provide several tools and plant the seeds for this very important space to flourish and cause real change. Here's the link to the indiegogo page where you can read more about it. http://www.indiegogo.com/LTS2OPB I'll be happy to answer any questions in this thread. Please support if you can and help spread the word. Can't wait to see you all in October, 2013! All the best, -- Victor Pizarro Project Organizer Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project

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Drupal Aid?
by Andrew L 18 Dec '12

18 Dec '12

hi Thinktank, i went and f&%$#d up our website trying to upgrade drupal versions without fully knowing what i was doing. can anyone come to my aid? for a knowledgeable person, it would be very little time from your normal day. would love to find someone from the bike community to help... is that you?... read on. ---- urgency: somewhat high; our website is currently down and thats never good :( overall goal: upgrade from drupal 5 to drupal 7 so that we can experiment with CiviCRM what happened: i backed up our database using update/migrate module; and then performed the upgrade through out awesome hosts, mayfirst out of nyc. however, i went from 5 to 7 - which is wrong.... and I am bad with command line, so dont really fully understand the instructions that are being given me. also: we are running drupal pretty much 'out-of-the-box' so this should be really easy!! no theming, no extra modules... but of course we would like to keep the historical database!! pay: we can pay someone if that is useful/necessary and if they have some credentials to get it done quickly. if someone wants to volunteer to help us out, we will send you a few of our 'patchkits' - i would add a link, but HA! the site is down. it's a handmade (tube)pouch with a hand-printed patch, and and actual patchkit and tire levers... a great stocking stuffer for a diy-biker person. Thanks, Andrew Lynn Troy Bike Rescue Troy, NY -- ------__o ----_`\<,_ ---(_)/ (_) andrew lynn 518-573-7947

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