- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

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

21 Nov '09

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

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

21 Nov '09

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

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

19 Nov '09

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

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

19 Nov '09

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

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

17 Nov '09

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

17 Nov '09

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

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

13 Nov '09

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

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

13 Nov '09

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

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Bike Collective Network mission
by Bob Giordano 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

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

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

12 Nov '09

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

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Cargo Framebuilding Apprenticeship Program
by Oregon Cycling 10 Nov '09

10 Nov '09

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

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large group activity
by Bob Giordano 10 Nov '09

10 Nov '09

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

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

10 Nov '09

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

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

05 Nov '09

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

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church bike drives
by Jason Tanzman 04 Nov '09

04 Nov '09

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

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Liability & Safety
by John Barrett 02 Nov '09

02 Nov '09

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

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Bike Collectives database
by Fhar Miess 01 Nov '09

01 Nov '09

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

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

30 Oct '09

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

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

30 Oct '09

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

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

29 Oct '09

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

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5 year audit
by Liza Mattana 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

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

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

27 Oct '09

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

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

27 Oct '09

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

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

26 Oct '09

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

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League of American Bicyclists
by Jason Tanzman 26 Oct '09

26 Oct '09

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

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