- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 03 Aug '13

03 Aug '13

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 03 Aug '13

03 Aug '13

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by summitcyclingcenter＠yahoo.com 02 Aug '13

02 Aug '13

Great idea, Rich! Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile ----- Reply message ----- From: "Luke Box" <lukebox(a)gmail.com> To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Reusable Repair Checklist Tag Date: Mon, Jul 29, 2013 8:57 pm Nice! Just sent this to our committee. I really like the prioritized nature and specificity of it. It's awesome to get volunteers to get in on fixing bikes to ride, but it's hard to control for quality when there are a lot of people in house. Seems this list would help diminish rolling bikes to the streets, that aren't really ready to go. Luke Box TheBrokeSpoke Lexington KY On Jul 29, 2013 1:20 PM, "director" <director(a)communitycycles.org> wrote: Hey All, We just spent some time and redid the tag we use to track repairs on a bike. I'm sure your shops are similar to ours in that many mechanics of varying skill levels will work on a single bike before it's distributed back to the world for use. This make it challenging to ensure a standard of quality on any given bike leaving the shop. As we fleshed out the tag we realized that it could function loosely as a curriculum. For most mechanics, especially students we suggest starting at the top and working down the list. I've come to realize that no two mechanics will do things in the exact same way, everyone has their own style. We've been suggesting that folks do the first two items in order and then address the rest of the repairs at their discretion. Of course we couldn't put everything on a half page so we had to make compromises. You'll notice as you get closer to the bottom of the tag the categories are a little more broad and don't get into the finer details. We're working on a final check list that will include finer details like checking bearing play, tire wear, fine tune derailleurs and brakes... The final checklist won't hang on the bike but it'll be around the shop and part of our training. Stay tuned for this. We print these double sided, cut them in half and laminate them. We hang them on the handlebars and fill them out with a Sharpie. When the bike is done and gone we clean the Sharpie off with 90% rubbing alcohol and a rag. This allows us to use one tag over and over and over. We've been using these tags for about 2 weeks now and it's been awesome. Communication between mechanics is much clearer and bikes are getting done faster. It's really helped orient Earn-A-Bike students to what needs to be done next on their bike. Anyway if you think it's a good idea feel free to adapt it to your shops needs. -- Ride On! 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 _______________________________________________ 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.…

2 1

Executive Director job in Jackson, MI
by Scott TenBrink 01 Aug '13

01 Aug '13

Hoping that the info below might reach some cool people who want to work hard in a cool town. the ED oversees the Armory Bike Union, our version of a community bike shop. Thanks for sharing with others! Scott TenBrink Executive Director Fitness Council of Jackson * * 225 North Jackson St. Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 990-9798 scott(a)fitnesscouncil.org www.fitnesscouncil.org facebook.com/FitnessCouncil We are seeking applications for a new Executive Director of the Fitness Council of Jackson. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in related field (Nonprofit Administration, Urban Planning, Public Health, etc.), excellent written and oral communications skills, leadership and fundraising experience in a nonprofit setting, and familiarity with concepts of active living community environments. Full job description at www.fitnesscouncil.org. Please direct resumes and salary requirements to Fitness Council of Jackson, Search Committee, 225 N. Jackson St., Jackson, MI 49201 or email toinfo(a)fitnesscouncil.org. Position is open until filled. Full job description and application requirements<http://www.fitnesscouncil.org/downloads/ExecDirectorJobDescription2013.pdf> fitnesscouncil.org/downloads/ExecDirectorJobDescription2013.pdf

1 0

Repair Checklist Tag
by director 30 Jul '13

30 Jul '13

Hey All, We just spent some time and redid the tag we use to track repairs on a bike. I'm sure your shops are similar to ours in that many mechanics of varying skill levels will work on a single bike before it's distributed back to the world for use. This make it challenging to ensure a standard of quality on any given bike leaving the shop. As we fleshed out the tag we realized that it could function loosely as a curriculum. For most mechanics, especially students we suggest starting at the top and working down the list. I've come to realize that no two mechanics will do things in the exact same way, everyone has their own style. We've been suggesting that folks do the first two items in order and then address the rest of the repairs at their discretion. Of course we couldn't put everything on a half page so we had to make compromises. You'll notice as you get closer to the bottom of the tag the categories are a little more broad and don't get into the finer details. We're working on a final check list that will include finer details like checking bearing play, tire wear, fine tune derailleurs and brakes... The final checklist won't hang on the bike but it'll be around the shop and part of our training. Stay tuned for this. We print these double sided, cut them in half and laminate them. We hang them on the handlebars and fill them out with a Sharpie. When the bike is done and gone we clean the Sharpie off with 90% rubbing alcohol and a rag. This allows us to use one tag over and over and over. We've been using these tags for about 2 weeks now and it's been awesome. Communication between mechanics is much clearer and bikes are getting done faster. It's really helped orient Earn-A-Bike students to what needs to be done next on their bike. Anyway if you think it's a good idea feel free to adapt it to your shops needs. -- Ride On! 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

2 1

Experience with Surly Cargo Trailers (Bill or Ted Trailer)?
by Andrew Magill 30 Jul '13

30 Jul '13

Has anyone used either of the Surly trailers? We are thinking about purchasing the Bill trailer to haul a "mobile shop" as well as several complete bicycles. We would also consider a Bikes at Work Trailer but we can't get a discount from them. Any thoughts or stories please share! Thanks, Andrew SPOKES Bike Walk Connect MInneapolis

8 8

What are your oddest part donation stories?
by David Eyer Davis 30 Jul '13

30 Jul '13

Hi All, The Bicycle Collective here in Salt Lake has been given the opportunity toexhibit a piece in the Leonardo Center's upcoming show <http://www.sites.si.edu/greenRevolution/> centered around resource conservation, it'll be a great PR/Exposure piece for collectives and is shaping up to be a lot of fun. Our concept for the show is to do is build up a badass/utilitarian 80's MTB intentionally from as many different sourced parts as possible. The finished bike is meticulous and considered from a functional and aesthetic perspective but is a total mongrel. The bike will hang in the exhibit on an old great Park Tool stand we've had donated recently. Behind the bike, we'll hang a full-size printout of the bike taken apart, all its parts exploded. Every part will be numbered, and correspond to a legend to the right of the picture. We're making up a narrative for the parts that typifies the Bike Collective experience: This fork came in on a crashed bike, this frame was from the police impound, this wheel from a local shop, derailers from a dusty box donated by an ex-racer, etc. We'd give the provence and era of the parts and anything significant info on them. What we'd love from you are the oddest part stories: Where did the strangest thing from your shop come from? Who donated it? why? did they make it themselves? If you could forward this around your organizations and have people send us their stories at info(a)bicyclecollective.org I'd appreciate it. Here're some previews of the project: http://instagram.com/p/b4B1RruA3f/ http://instagram.com/p/b7S90oOA-u/ Thanks, David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

5 5

Anyone going to Interbike?
by Noah Chubb-Silverman 29 Jul '13

29 Jul '13

Anyone?

2 1

Earn a Bike Outcomes Survey
by Andy Greif 29 Jul '13

29 Jul '13

Hi Think Tankers, Just wanted to send this link along to you as we have finally developed an outcomes measurement tool that we have been distributing to kids at the CBC <https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YBXCC7Q> https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YBXCC7Q. Much of the basis of the survey questions are grounded in several of the internal and external assets outlined in the Search Institute developmental asset model. You are welcome to use the survey as you wish. Let us know you experience with it. Take care, Andy Greif Andy Greif, Executive Director Mailing: P.O. Box 783, Biddeford, ME 04005 Shop: 284 Hill Street, Biddeford Shop Phone: 207-282-9700 Cell Phone: 207-229-8199 Website: <http://www.communitybike.net/> www.communitybike.net "Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow"

2 3

Fwd: On the road: Kids earn their keep, one pedal at a time
by Matthew VanSlyke 28 Jul '13

28 Jul '13

Great media coverage of Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park, NJ. See below. -Matt VanSlyke Utica (NY) Bike Rescue On the road: Kids earn their keep, one pedal at a time July 12, 2013 4:23 PM As part of our continuing series, "On the Road," Steve Hartman meets 11-year-old America Rice, who works as a bike mechanic at a non-profit on the Jersey shore where kids are rewarded with a free bicycle for their work. In N.J., kids earn a free ride by working for it<http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57593559/in-n.j-kids-earn-a-free-ride…> OR http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57593559/in-n.j-kids-earn-a-free-ride…

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Recycle-a-bike program: seeking other models, successes, failures and suggestions!
by Vernon Huffman 26 Jul '13

26 Jul '13

If you only have capacity for 15 bikes, don't let people know you're looking for unused bikes. Every effort I've been part of has been overwhelmed by donations. As they come in, decide which are worthy of your efforts, which have components you can use, and which go straight into recycling. Your standards will slide, depending upon what's donated. Disposing of unusable bikes & components should be part of the plan. Sorting stripped parts is always a challenge. Plan early, but stay flexible. Shelving units with reusable containers of various sizes can be very handy. Have a way to decide what you'll actually be able to use, so you don't end up storing junk that nobody wants. Selling parts has historically accounted for about half our income. You might want to get started now on a long term goal of finding a location with more storage. I suspect space will be your biggest constraint. ________________________________ From: "thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" From: Jennifer Kay Hi! I am with La Bikery in Moncton, New Brunswick. We are in the initial stages of starting up a small scale recycle - a - bike program (storage capacity = 12-15 bikes). I am sure there are plenty of success stories already out there, so I am hoping to draw on some of your expertise. If you have any functioning models to share (or examples of what NOT to do!), I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you, Jennifer Recycle-a-bike Coordinator, La Bikery

8 8

Re: [TheThinkTank] Who's planning on Interbike?
by Scott Conlin 25 Jul '13

25 Jul '13

I may be going David and should know for sure next week. Thanks for the offer. Scott Conlin Boardmember, Bicycle Longmont Rocky Mountain Bicycle Festival G'Knight Ride Mark Friis <iebafriis(a)gmail.com> wrote: >_______________________________________________ >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.…

1 0

Who's planning on Interbike?
by David Eyer Davis 24 Jul '13

24 Jul '13

Hi All, We're setting up the booth arrangements for the Bicycle Collective Network with Alliance for Biking and Walking and Interbike at the moment. I'd really like a full spectrum of the Bicycle Collective Network to be represented, does anyone have interest in attending the show with us, or is already attending it for other purposes? At this point I'm not sure where we're at with the number of badges we'll be able to secure, but let me know if you're interested in attending as a BCN rep. The show this year is at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and runs from the 18th-20th of September, with the Outdoor Demo the preceding 2 days. Thanks, David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

2 1

Hiring: Director of Operations in Salt Lake City
by David Eyer Davis 22 Jul '13

22 Jul '13

Hello Think Tank! Fancy moving to Salt Lake? We're pleased to announce we're hiring the Director of Operations for our Salt Lake Shop, and we want YOU for the job. Please review the job posting and forward it around to any potentially interested parties: http://www.bicyclecollective.org/en/component/content/article/1/386-slcbc-h… Thanks! David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective w: 801-328-2453 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] oddest part donation stories
by Vernon Huffman 19 Jul '13

19 Jul '13

The oddest parts we ever had donated just appeared in the shop in a bucket. Nobody knew where they came from. They were beautifully machined sealed bearing sets, gears, and universal joints that appeared to fit into each other. We couldn't figure out where they came from or what they could be used for, but we all agreed somebody had worked very hard at creating them. Over the years, we've had some odd donations. Homemade bikes tend to stand out. We've had: * a recumbent made from parts of full-suspension Huffys by a novice welder; * a chopper with a fork so long that it was difficult to push around, much less ride; * a functional tall bike with the rebar used to extend the steering tube exposed by the angle iron used to extend the head tube. We've also had some beautiful bikes made by our members, but they haven't donated them yet. ________________________________ From: "thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" From: David Eyer Davis <davey(a)bicyclecollective.org> Hi All, The Bicycle Collective here in Salt Lake has been given the opportunity toexhibit a piece in the Leonardo Center's upcoming show <http://www.sites.si.edu/greenRevolution/> centered around resource conservation, it'll be a great PR/Exposure piece for collectives and is shaping up to be a lot of fun. Our concept for the show is to do is build up a badass/utilitarian 80's MTB intentionally from as many different sourced parts as possible. The finished bike is meticulous and considered from a functional and aesthetic perspective but is a total mongrel. The bike will hang in the exhibit on an old great Park Tool stand we've had donated recently. Behind the bike, we'll hang a full-size printout of the bike taken apart, all its parts exploded. Every part will be numbered, and correspond to a legend to the right of the picture. We're making up a narrative for the parts that typifies the Bike Collective experience: This fork came in on a crashed bike, this frame was from the police impound, this wheel from a local shop, derailers from a dusty box donated by an ex-racer, etc. We'd give the provence and era of the parts and anything significant info on them. What we'd love from you are the oddest part stories: Where did the strangest thing from your shop come from? Who donated it? why? did they make it themselves? If you could forward this around your organizations and have people send us their stories at info(a)bicyclecollective.org I'd appreciate it. Here're some previews of the project: http://instagram.com/p/b4B1RruA3f/ http://instagram.com/p/b7S90oOA-u/ Thanks, David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households. ********************************************

1 0

Need Statement?
by Paul Nagel 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

Hello, I'm writing up a Need Statement for our group and am coming up short. Below is the current draft, I'm going to prepare an annotated version as well but that's it at the moment. I'm finding lots of research supporting the need for improved infrastructure, and for cycling safety courses. What I am not finding after poking around a bit is research indicating the need for teaching mechanical skills to riders. I know from experience that these skills are important to riding with regularity and making bikes a reliable transportation choice. I know from what I've seen and heard that flat tires, bad bikes, and other mechanical woes that can be relieved with basic mechanical knowledge are often a deterrent. But if, for example, you read the US DOT Case Study No. 1 - Reasons Why Bicycling and Walking Are Not Being Used More Extensively as Travel Modes, or the University of British Columbia's Cycling in Cities research, you don't see mechanical concerns anywhere in their studies. I suspect it was not a part of their surveys, and thus not accounted for. Has anyone prepared a need statement for their mechanical /do-it-together workshops, and found research to support what we have seen to have significant value? -Paul The Bicycle Tree P.O. Box 11293 Santa Ana, CA 92711 http://www.thebicycletree.org info(a)thebicycletree.org Need Statement: In the United States, less than half of all adults and only 35.8% of high school students get enough aerobic physical activity to improve their health. Less than 2% of Americans cycle daily, and 5.3% ride a bike in a given week, even though 40% of all trips are two miles or less. 71% of Americans say they would like to bicycle more than they do now, and a Rodale Press survey found that 40 percent of those surveyed said they would commute by bike if safe facilities were available. The impact on health of our transportation choices is further felt in clear ways. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and the leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year olds. Our transportation system consumes 70% of our crude oil, and is the second leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. The sum total of resources required for roadway, parking, and motor vehicle construction, production, and maintenance is immense. Changing our cities to move forward from older patterns requires community effort. A review of 139 studies concluded that substantial increases in bicycling require an integrated package of numerous interventions, including bike-specific infrastructure and pro-bicycle programs, as well as supportive land use planning. The Bicycle Tree exists to support bicyclists and create healthy bicycle-friendly communities through activities, advocacy and education. We take a variety of approaches, including engaging with decision-makers, involving the public in transportation planning, teaching bicycle safety and maintenance, and leading community bike rides, to bring about this much-needed change to the places where we live.

2 2

Recycle-A-Bike in Providence Rhode Island Hiring a Program Director
by Jenna Johns-Yu 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

Hiring Recycle-A-Bike Program Director News released on: July 17th, 2013 Job Opening: Recycle-A-Bike Program Director Commitment: Part-time 30 hours/week; 2 years minimum; flexible hours Compensation: Starting salary at $18,000/year; No Benefits Application Process: Rolling Start Date: August 15 - Sept 15, 2013 Overview: The Recycle-A-Bike Programs Director will work closely with the RAB staff (mechanics and teachers), and will be primarily responsible for coordinating technical assistance and support to Recycle-A-Bikes programs and local partners. This position includes extensive communication, relationship building, training and facilitation, management of project monitoring systems, bike collections and sales, fundraising, and grant writing. Recycle-A-Bike promotes the use of bicycles as a means of transportation. We're looking for someone committed to contributing to and building that project. We offer several community programs, including our Open Shop, Providence-Based Youth Programs, Build-A-Bike, and Bike Valet. Through our programs, we partner with organizations like the Met High School, Providence After School Alliance, The International Institute of Rhode Island, The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, and The City of Providence to share our vision of creating a more just, sustainable and peaceful community. Recycle-A-Bike provides our partners with bicycles, training in bicycle mechanics, safe riding training, and organizational management, as well as extensive technical support assisting our partners to achieve expanded impacts, organizational sustainability and increased self-determined development. Bicycles are a powerful tool for increasing peoples' access to critical resources such as health, jobs, and education, for reinforcing peoples' dignity, community empowerment and human rights, and for achieving social and economic development that reduces inequality. Visit www.recycleabike.org for more information on our programs. JOB DESCRIPTION Recycle-A-Bike Programs Director This position reports to and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors and Key Members. This staff position makes up the core staffing of RAB. The Program Director is an entry-level position that offers on-the-job experiential training and opportunities for ongoing professional development. Primary Responsibilities Include: 1. Manage communications with our local partners - Weekly phone calls; ongoing email contact, meetings 2. Coordinate technical support and training - Strategic Planning; Financial Management; Administrative and Operational Systems; Monitoring and Evaluation Systems; Media and Communications; Networking and Resource Development 3. Grant Writing - Wintertime grant writing for organization needs. 4. Monitor project development and progress - Track partner progress according to project plan; modify curriculum for each partner 5. Write project reports - Use monitoring data to write grant reports; Share project reports with partners for feedback 5. Organize logistics transporting bicycles to schools, parks, sales, etc. - 4-8 sales a year, 40 bikes each; Volunteer coordination and supervision 6. Supervise Skilled Interns - Improvements to the RAB shop space and pilot shops in Riverside Park, and The Met School; Project planning. 7. Travel to partners on site visits - Relationship building, critical assessments, documentation, train and hire educators 8. Participate fully in Recycle-A-Bike as a staff member - Attend board and member meetings; Support activities and events; build the capacity of the organization to increase staff time. Qualifications: · Commitment to cycling and using bicycles as a transportation vehicle · 2-3 years work experience in the bicycle world or non-profit world, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Movement Activism, or related field · Bachelors Degree or Graduate Degree (preferred) in related field · Computer literacy and excellent writing skills · Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills · Demonstrated commitment to leadership development and community empowerment · Experience with community organizing strategies · Project management skills - experience implementing projects from start to finish · Self-starting initiative and creativity in work plan design · Demonstrated skills in working as part of an active and dynamic team · Systems oriented: ability to engage existing systems and create new systems · Spanish language skills preferred · Bicycle mechanics skills a plus (including interest to learn bike mechanics) How to Apply: 1. Review the Recycle-A-Bike website to first ensure that your values align 2. Send a Cover Letter and Resume describing your interest in the position and any relevant experience to Jenna Yu, Program Director at jenna(a)recycleabike.org 3. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application, and more information on next steps 4. If you have any questions about the position, please feel free to contact Jenna Yu at 401-525-1822 5. This is a rolling application process, and we will continue to receive applications until we find the right candidate for the position Thank you, and we look forward to your application! Recycle-A-Bike is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse staff reflective of the communities it serves. -- Jenna Yu Recycle-A-Bike: Program Director 12 Library Court (Olneyville Square) Providence, RI 02909 p. 401.525.1822 c. 510.541.7753 www.recycleabike.org the RaB facebook<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/pages/Providence-RI/RECYCLE-A-BIKE/14…> Watch our new short film! <http://vimeo.com/53962219>

1 0

Recycle-a-bike program: seeking other models, successes, failures and suggestions!
by Jennifer Kay 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

Hi! I am with La Bikery in Moncton, New Brunswick. We are in the initial stages of starting up a small scale recycle - a - bike program (storage capacity = 12-15 bikes). I am sure there are plenty of success stories already out there, so I am hoping to draw on some of your expertise. If you have any functioning models to share (or examples of what NOT to do!), I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you, Jennifer Recycle-a-bike Coordinator, La Bikery

1 0

BikeBike.org - Looking for some collaborators‏
by Godwin ! 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Following up on Momoko's previous email, I'd like to stress that the current site, although working, is not in an ideal state. This has been due to several factors but not least of all that it was mainly built by a two person team but also limitations due to some of the tools chosen and our current hosting provider. We are going to start a rebuild using Rails and we are looking for anyone who can help out, mainly with development but also in the areas of site design, identity development, server administration (hosting recommendations if you've got any), user experience and just about anything else that may help us in these early stages. We will be reaching out eventually for testers and translators but for now this will be on hold. The current site will remain working and maintained until development catches up and we can make the move flawlessly but further (although much needed) enhancements are on hold until then. If you are, or know someone who might be interested in helping out, you can take a look at the project on github: github.com/bikebike/BikeBike. Let's keep extended discussion off the list, we will be starting weekly meetings this Sunday at 1pm eastern, 10pm pacific most likely on google hangouts (if you want to help out, we're not demanding you to attend every week). You can contact me or Momoko to get on that call or to simply get more information. Regards,godwin

1 0

Detroit's North End Community Bike Shop Fundraiser and Bike Drive
by Marshall Symons 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

- *We are the Red Planet Bicycle Collective. Our mission is to mobilize the Seven Mile and Woodward area by providing access to donated bikes, tools and parts while teaching bicycle repair. * * * *Through hands-on workshops the community will learn how to build and maintain a bicycle, safely navigate the road, and experience the freedom that transportation delivers. * - https://www.facebook.com/events/206048532885659/ - Come by to see some sweet bicycle/freedom/mobility related art pieces, donate your old bikes (or someone elses old bikes) and listen to the sweet tunes of Blood & Honey, Great Green Room, and DJ set by Psyence Tribes Mars Psyence<https://www.facebook.com/psymars?directed_target_id=0> . Help make our community a better place to be! - Paypal donations can be made to FIREWEEDUNIVERSECITY(a)gmail.com Red Planet Bike Coop is a part of the revitalizations efforts of FIREWEEDUNIVERSECITY.ORG Imagine a place, completely desolate and abandoned, devastated and burnt-out. Imagine a third-world-country, post-apocalyptic-feeling neighborhood, within Detroit City Limits, waiting for the right group of people to gather together to create lasting change and a positive impact that will forever change the way we live. Imagine working together to transcend limitations and lift that broken place into a community that is sustainable, in line with the highest good of all people and all beings, and that will provide not only all of life’s basic necessities, but will encourage people to reach their fullest human potential, so that together we may grow into a life of sustained abundance, prosperity, and conscious evolution. Together we have the power to manifest dreams into reality, to create Heaven on Earth, and to live harmoniously with each other and with our planet, so that our children and our children’s children may experience a life full of Bliss, Creativity, and Fullness. Imagine that ghetto within Detroit becoming an example to the rest of the world that real change is possible, that we as human beings are capable of being sovereign, beautiful creatures that can reclaim our divinity and our birth right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

1 0

Fwd: New Bikebike website and registration
by momoko saunders 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Dear think tank Have you been to the Bikebike website yet? We're trying something new this year and I'd like to take a moment to explain some of the difference. In the past, every new host of Bikebike would rebuild the website from scratch, create their own special way of registering and communicating with the people attending. At the end of Bikebike, the website keys would be pass on, and all the work and data of the previous year would be lost. For this years Bikebike, we are attempting to create a permanent site, which can handle registration and workshops. We know there's been some issues with the site, and there are bound to be a few more bugs that pop up. We're sorry! Please be patient! In the very bike collective spirit, this is an all volunteer run project. This is a project that has largely been facilitated by two people, Godwin and myself. We're big data nerds and we have a dream of an accurate count of active bike collectives and the people who are involved in them. We dream of a website that holds the history of this amazing event. We dream big, and we may need some help achieving this... If you haven't registered on BikeBike<https://www.bikebike.org/user/register>, please take a moment to do so. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email us <analyst(a)bikebike.org>. If you have ideas about how this website should be or you want to help out with building it and making it wonderful, we welcome your input. Thanks for your time! -Momoko

1 0

Recycle-a-bike program: seeking other models, successes, failures, suggestions!
by Jennifer Kay 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Hi! I am with La Bikery in Moncton, New Brunswick. We are in the initial stages of starting up a small scale recycle - a - bike program (storage capacity = 12-15 bikes). I am sure there are plenty of success stories already out there, so I am hoping to draw on some of your expertise. If you have any functioning models to share (or examples of what NOT to do!), I would be grateful to hear from you. Thank you, Jennifer Recycle-a-bike Coordinator, La Bikery

1 0

League Job Opening: Equity Initiative Manager
by Carolyn Szczepanski 16 Jul '13

16 Jul '13

Hey folks- The League has a new staff position opening: Equity Initiative Manager. Through its Equity Initiative<https://www.bikeleague.org/content/equity-initiative>, the League seeks to engage and be led by women, youth and leaders of color — and bridge the current gap between diverse communities and bicycle advocates. A new staff position, this experienced community organizer will work closely with the League’s Equity Advisory Council<https://www.bikeleague.org/content/equity-advisory-council-2>; cultivate effective local and national partnerships; partner internally to incorporate equity into the League’s operations and programming; and produce reports and resources to advance bicycle equity nationwide. Read the full description at the link below: https://www.bikeleague.org/content/league-seeks-equity-initiative-manager Thanks in advance for helping to circulate through your networks! *CAROLYN SZCZEPANSKI*, *Director of Communications, Women Bike* CAROLYN(a)BIKELEAGUE.ORG | 202-621-5452 *THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS* WWW.BIKELEAGUE.ORG <http://www.bikeleague.org> TWITTER <https://twitter.com/BikeLeague> | FACEBOOK<http://www.facebook.com/leagueamericanbicyclists> | YOUTUBE <http://www.youtube.com/user/bikeleaguevideo> *May is National Bike Month; Learn more here!<http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/> *

1 0

Question about pricing
by Jeff DeQuattro 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

Hey there! This is my first email to The Think Tank and I've very much enjoyed learning about how all the community bike shops around the country operate. We had our Grand Opening of the Delta Bike Project in Mobile, Alabama last night. We have a motivated group of young and old volunteers that have been working over the past year to get this bicycle cooperative going. This is an experiment for us, although we've had significant help and input from Plan B in New Orleans and Bici Coop in Birmingham. Last night we had over 100 people stop by and celebrate with us. It seems that the pricing structure for parts is different among many co-ops. It would be very helpful if you all could share with us your pricing structure for parts - used and new. We are working over the weekend to price out our existing parts and plan for the ones we receive in the future. Thanks! Jeff DeQuattro Delta Bike Project Mobile, Alabama

4 5

Insurance related to sales?
by Martin, Eric Vance 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

We are working on a written pricing policy, so I was interested in Jeff DeQuattro's post a few days ago. I noticed in the Wiki a mention of insurance: "For bike and part sales you need to make sure you have proper Insurance<http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Insurance>". However, following the link, it wasn't clear to me which of the subtypes of insurance was relevant to sales. Can anyone explain this? Thanks.

1 0

bike!bike! 2013 contacting ... anyone?
by Martin, Eric Vance 13 Jul '13

13 Jul '13

I have registered on the site, and I cannot figure out how to register for the conference, propose workshops, or contact the admins/organizers. I have the ability to send messages but there's no list of users. Does anyone know who I should contact? Sorry about spamming the whole world for this purpose, but it seems like this should be easier.

2 1

Community Cycles is Hiring Part Time Bike Mechanics
by director 13 Jul '13

13 Jul '13

Find out more at our website http://communitycycles.org Ride On! -- 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

1 0

RBP Seeking Program Director
by Reno Bikes 12 Jul '13

12 Jul '13

The Reno Bike Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit community bike shop. Reno Bike Project achieves its mission by: Making cycling more accessible to the public through recycling and recirculation of used bikes into the community at affordable prices. Encouraging self-sufficiency by holding bike mechanics workshops and by providing a space for community members to repair their own bicycles rather than incur maintenance costs. Encourage bicycle activism by promoting and producing cycling related events for a variety of audiences. Advocating for cycling rights and cycling growth in the Truckee Meadows by working with public officials and other organizations that are key players in transportation planning. Complementing other local groups to encourage youth safety and cycling-related arts and culture, and contributing to Reno's continual growth as a diverse and vibrant community. Keeping an open mind to all cycling needs and ideas and helping to facilitate positive growth. The Program Managers duties include: 1. Provide leadership in development of RBP's programming. 2. Ensure that all programming represents and achieves RBP's mission and vision. 3. Investigate and work to develop all feasible new programming possibilities. 4. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments in the environment surrounding RBP and it's mission. 5. Work with all program committees (Education, Events, Advocacy) to ensure that all programs are executed and developed successfully and completely Communication Responsibilities: 1. Advocate in support of the vision of RBP to agencies, organizations, and the general public. 2. Organize Outreach Events 3. Publicize RBP's activities, events, programs and goals. 4. Affectively and continually communicate about the status of all programming with Executive Director (i.e. finance, volunteer/staff levels, development.) Scope of Work 1. Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work. 2. Compile all required reporting from federal and foundation granting agencies for applicable programs. 3. Ensure there are enough volunteer's and/or staff for all events and programs. 4. Encourage staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the organization. 5. Recruit, support and supervise AmeriCorps VISTA members. 6. Working with the Executive Director, to seek out, research, write, and manage all feasible fundraising opportunities. Skill Requirements 1. Bachelor's Degree 2. 2 years non-profit experience. 3. Experience in writing and reporting on private foundation grants as well as local, state and federal granting agencies. 4. Experience with recruiting, hiring and supervising staff members. 5. Any combination of the above skills will be taken into consideration. The Reno Bike Project is an equal opportunity employer. Compensation DOE. To apply please send resume to renobikeproject(a)gmail.com -- Wed-Fri 11am-6pm Sat 10am-4pm 541 E. 4th Street. Reno, NV 89512 775.323.4488 donate via paypal: http://www.renobikeproject.com/index.php/donate/ Follow us on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/renobikeproject/ Please let us know if you would like to unsubscribe to our email list.

2 1

Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 83, Issue 3
by John Brown 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

As an alternative, you might check to see if your state has a nonprofit umbrella organization. In CA, for instance, the California Association of Nonprofits offers some fairly affordable insurance policies through an insurance co. On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 3:38 AM, < thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote: > 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. Re: Insurance Questions (Affordable Bikes Re-Cyclery) > 2. Re: Insurance Questions (Anna Carrigan) > 3. Re: Insurance Questions (Matt VanSlyke) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2013 20:36:44 -0400 > From: Affordable Bikes Re-Cyclery <affordablebikesrecyclery(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Insurance Questions > Message-ID: > < > CAO9mL_4_ZLohEGS_VPcWy9Hphf_ufaPtr9oZJhNwWcrUT5F+VQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Dear Mike, > Sure, the shop number is 216 334-BIKE or have them email me for my cell > phone. > Thanks! > nozomi > > On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 4:37 PM, Mike Samuelson < > mike(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org> wrote: > > > Hi Think Tank, > > > > As some of you may know, the Alliance has been trying to develop an > > insurance package that fits the needs of community bike shops for a > little > > while now. We first tried working with McKay Insurance Company, but that > > didn't end up working, and we are now in talks with Gales Creek Insurance > > to try and create a program. > > > > The folks at Gales Creek are interested in speaking with a few leaders of > > shops to learn more about some of the past problems they've had with > > acquiring insurance (they currently work with a few shops, but they said > > there haven't been any large problems with writing those policies and are > > interested in learning what some issues have been). These conversations > > would NOT be sales pitches, they are an opportunity for Gales Creek to > > learn more about the needs of community bike shops as we work together to > > try and develop a package that fits the needs of shops. > > > > If you are willing to speak with the folks at Gales Creek, please let me > > know. > > > > Thanks, > > Mike > > > > -- > > Mike Samuelson > > Member Services and Open Streets Coordinator > > Alliance for Biking & Walking > > mike(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org > > (202) 449 9692 x 7 > > > > P.O. Box 65150 > > Washington, DC 20035 > > > > Twitter <https://twitter.com/open_streets> | Facebook< > https://www.facebook.com/openstreetsproject> > > > > *We're holding the first National Open Streets Training August 9-11 in > > Minneapolis! Register Today!< > http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/Open_Streets_Train… > > > > * > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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.… > > > > >

1 0

Insurance Questions
by Mike Samuelson 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

Hi Think Tank, As some of you may know, the Alliance has been trying to develop an insurance package that fits the needs of community bike shops for a little while now. We first tried working with McKay Insurance Company, but that didn't end up working, and we are now in talks with Gales Creek Insurance to try and create a program. The folks at Gales Creek are interested in speaking with a few leaders of shops to learn more about some of the past problems they've had with acquiring insurance (they currently work with a few shops, but they said there haven't been any large problems with writing those policies and are interested in learning what some issues have been). These conversations would NOT be sales pitches, they are an opportunity for Gales Creek to learn more about the needs of community bike shops as we work together to try and develop a package that fits the needs of shops. If you are willing to speak with the folks at Gales Creek, please let me know. Thanks, Mike -- Mike Samuelson Member Services and Open Streets Coordinator Alliance for Biking & Walking mike(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org (202) 449 9692 x 7 P.O. Box 65150 Washington, DC 20035 Twitter <https://twitter.com/open_streets> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/openstreetsproject> *We're holding the first National Open Streets Training August 9-11 in Minneapolis! Register Today!<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/Open_Streets_Train…> *

5 5

Re: [TheThinkTank] Cleaning bikes
by troy neiman 01 Jul '13

01 Jul '13

We use watered down simple green for general cleaning. Never really had a problem with it. Cheap, non-toxic, and effective parts cleaner- Remove parts, put in 5 gallon bucket, cover with boiling water and a touch of dish soap or simple green, oscillate for a few min and rinse. Works great for getting old crud build up off of hard to reach spots. PS, Dont use simple green to clean old Schwinn frames. The ones with the painted on white Schwinn letters seem to wipe off with simple green even if its lasted for 40+ years. Troy Neiman, BICAS Tucson AZ ----- Original Message ----- From: Jon Sher Sent: 06/21/13 11:44 AM To: The Think Tank Subject: [TheThinkTank] Cleaning bikes I read that Simple Green is too alkaline for cleaning bikes. Does antone have a better suggestion? Jon Sher Worcester Earn A Bike http://www.worcesterearnabike.org https://www.facebook.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BoiseBicycleProject Worcestereabike Sent from my iPad

2 1

Cleaning bikes
by Jon Sher 26 Jun '13

26 Jun '13

I read that Simple Green is too alkaline for cleaning bikes. Does antone have a better suggestion? Jon Sher Worcester Earn A Bike www.worcesterearnabike.org https://www.facebook.com/Worcestereabike Sent from my iPad

7 7

Bikes Not Bombs - Hiring International Programs Coordinator
by David Branigan 21 Jun '13

21 Jun '13

Hi Everyone, Bikes Not Bombs is now hiring for a new full-time position, the International Programs Coordinator. I'm contacting you to ask for your support in sharing this job ad with your extended network to help us find a pool of excellent candidates for the position. https://bikesnotbombs.org/news/hiring-international-programs-coordinator Here is a brief overview of the position: The International Programs Coordinator will work closely with the International Programs Director at our Boston office, and will be primarily responsible for coordinating technical assistance and support to Bikes Not Bombs international partners in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. This position includes extensive cross-cultural communication, relationship building, training and facilitation, management of project monitoring systems, container loading logistics organizing and some international travel. The application process is rolling, and we aim to hire by September 1st - October 15th. Please consider posting the link to this job ad on your social media and related email lists, and also sending it directly to people you know that may be interested to apply. Thank you so much for your support! Peace, -- David Branigan International Programs Director www.bikesnotbombs.org 617-522-0222 x103 **************************** Bikes Not Bombs promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction. For 28 years, BNB has been a nexus of bike recycling and community empowerment both in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. BNB's programs involve young people and adults in mutually respectful leadership development and environmental stewardship, while recycling 6,000 bicycles annually.

1 0

Online Donations through Facebook
by Jimmy Hallyburton 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Thought I would share a resource the Boise Bicycle Project has started using to get more online donations. A local Boise company called Social Good Network does a bunch of online donation services, but the one that has been a big hit with us is there Facebook Donation App. They don't charge anything to set it up. Just take the usual transaction fees that most services do. The cool thing is that you can feature a video/pictures/story kind of like Kick Starter. Thought I would share the tool, because to has worked out better than our donation services in the past http://www.socialgoodnetwork.com/ You can preview what it looks like without actually making a donation on the Boise Bicycle Project's facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BoiseBicycleProject. The Button is next to where your photo albums button is. Keep up the good work everyone. -- Thanks, Jimmy Hallyburton Executive Director Boise Bicycle Project (208)-429-6520 1027 Lusk St Boise, ID 83702 www.boisebicycleproject.org .……………......…….__o .………………...…….>,\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~( · ) / ( · ) Join the Boise Bicycle Project's Free Spirit Newsletter list by going to www.boisebicycleproject.org/Newsletter

2 1

Unsubscribe
by Anna Marie Williams 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Sent from my iPhone

1 0

City Support for Community Bike Shops
by Mary Lauran Hall 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Hey everybody, What if more cities paid rent for community bike shops? There's huge potential for more cities to invest in the growth of local community bike shops. But first, we need to get a better sense of what cities are already doing - and where there's room to improve. The Alliance for Biking & Walking is teaming up with the League of American Bicyclists to find out more about how cities work with community bike shops around the U.S. and Canada. Please offer input on how your city helps -- or doesn't help -- your community bike shop. <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CommBikeShop> Using feedback from this survey, we'll be better able to advise cities on how aid community bike shops and foster increased collaboration between cities and shops. The survey results will also help improve questions about support for community bike shops in future Bicycle Friendly Community surveys. The League's Bicycle Friendly Community Program (BFC) provides a roadmap to improve conditions for bicycling in communities and offers national recognition for cities that support bicycling. Asking about city support for community bike shops in a future survey could help encourage more cities to form beneficial partnerships with shops. But first, we need to get a sense of how community bike shops are currently working with cities. Could you offer input from your shop's perspective? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CommBikeShopTest<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CommBikeShop> Thanks so much, and ride on! Best, Mary Lauran -- Mary Lauran Hall Communications Manager Alliance for Biking & Walking mlhall(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org (202) 642 - 6617 P.O. Box 65150 Washington, DC 20035 *We've got big plans for 2013. Join or renew<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/membership/welcome/> with the Alliance today!*

3 5

Re: [TheThinkTank] shop air quality
by Vernon Huffman 17 Jun '13

17 Jun '13

Our shop has plenty of air flow year round, so smell hasn't been an issue. Luckily it doesn't get that cold here. What is the source of the smell? Do you need to contain your degreaser more tightly or scale back the use of toxic chemicals and aerosols? Is it time to have a chat with some of the mechanics and volunteers about personal hygiene? Bicycles shouldn't smell bad. Commercial bike shops don't generally have an odor issue. What's different about your shop? From: Mark Rehder <mark(a)re-cycles.ca> Hi all, During the warmer months we have a few doors open so the stink in our shop is not so bad, but when all sealed up during our cold winters it's not ideal. We've thought about a large filter unit, and it has also been suggested to use a large exhaust fan, though that would also waste heat. How does your shop deal with this? Thanks, Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca

5 4

What's in a Name?
by Matthew VanSlyke 17 Jun '13

17 Jun '13

Plans are progressing nicely here in the Empire State and if all goes well we'll be opening a new community bike shop here in Utica, NY very soon. As you all know, there are many, many details and decisions to be made. One of these early decisions is choosing the right name. We've bounced around several ideas and I'm trying to come up with something that jumps out at me but so far that hasn't happened. So I thought I'd put it out to this group and ask that you share some ideas about how you came to be "who" you are. Did you: Pick names from a hat? Throw darts at a wall? Take a vote? Go with your gut and use the first name that came to mind? And, do you now regret the name you chose for any reason? Did you end up changing the name? If so, why? I'd like to hear from you. Thanks a bunch. *Matt VanSlyke* *_______ Bike __________ * *Utica, NY*

13 13

Please unsubscribe
by Kathy Tillotson 17 Jun '13

17 Jun '13

Please unsubscibe me from these emails. I have sent several emails to unsubscribe and am still getting emails. We no longer have a recycle bike business. Thank you, Kathy On Sun, Jun 16, 2013 at 9:27 PM, Vernon Huffman <vernonhuffman(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > Our shop has plenty of air flow year round, so smell hasn't been an issue. > Luckily it doesn't get that cold here. > > What is the source of the smell? Do you need to contain your degreaser > more tightly or scale back the use of toxic chemicals and aerosols? Is it > time to have a chat with some of the mechanics and volunteers about > personal hygiene? > > Bicycles shouldn't smell bad. Commercial bike shops don't generally have > an odor issue. What's different about your shop? > > > From: Mark Rehder <mark(a)re-cycles.ca> > > Hi all, > > During the warmer months we have a few doors open so the stink in our shop > is not so bad, but when all sealed up during our cold winters it's not > ideal. We've thought about a large filter unit, and it has also been > suggested to use a large exhaust fan, though that would also waste heat. > > How does your shop deal with this? > > Thanks, > > Mark Rehder - Coordinator > re-Cycles Community Bike Shop > http://re-cycles.ca > > _______________________________________________ > 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.… > > -- *Kathy Tillotson* *Build Futures*, Executive Director www.BuildFutures.org C 714 907-7358 "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together." - African Proverb

3 2

Introducing myself, and shop signage query
by David Eyer Davis 17 Jun '13

17 Jun '13

Hey y'all! I'm Davey, I'm taking over for Mr. Jonathan Morrison here at the Bicycle Collective in Utah. I've been subscribed to the list for many-a-year and have enjoyed picking our collective brains here. I hope to meet many of you at Bike! Bike! this year and at Interbike as well. Does anyone know of a good resource that documents community bike shop interior signage? I personally recall seeing great signage at Bike Kitchen in San Francisco and at Community Cycle Center, but I'm sure we have a ton of good examples betwixt us. I'm specifically interested in upping our signage game in the following ways: 1. An immediate sign with graphics of the different bicycle types and what they're typically used for, with details about how to size a bike for yourself. The intent would be to get a customer armed with the basics of bike purchasing without immediately taking too much attention from a volunteer. 2. placemats beneath plexiglass on bench surfaces with standard mechanical repairs simplified. What mechanical tasks have you found to be aided by diagrams? which are useless to explain through pictures? 3. Basic parts identification, the difference between a freewheel and a casette, the difference between one-piece, cotter pins and square-tapered cranks, threaded vs. threaded headsets, etc. 4. other things that I haven't thought of but you have. I'd appreciate links to pictures, and would be happy to compile a page on the bike collectives wiki of our findings. Thanks, David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

6 5

shop air quality
by Mark Rehder 16 Jun '13

16 Jun '13

Hi all, During the warmer months we have a few doors open so the stink in our shop is not so bad, but when all sealed up during our cold winters it's not ideal. We've thought about a large filter unit, and it has also been suggested to use a large exhaust fan, though that would also waste heat. How does your shop deal with this? Thanks, Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca

1 0

The Alliance is hiring
by Mary Lauran Hall 14 Jun '13

14 Jun '13

Hi all, I'm excited to announce that the Alliance is hiring a Member Services Coordinator! Yes, really! When we first found out that Mike Samuelson, our current Member Services guru, was going to grad school in August, we were like... And I was all... But we all recognize that it'll be a rad new adventure for him. Really, we're happy that he's heading off for an exciting new chapter. So now, we're on the lookout for somebody great. Someone who is excited to assist state and local leaders in making communities and states better and safer places to walk... ...and to bike. If this sounds like a great opportunity, ...then come work with us! Our office is pretty fun. View the full position description and instructions for applying here. <http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/memberservices/all…> Best, MaryLauran -- Mary Lauran Hall Communications Manager Alliance for Biking & Walking mlhall(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org (202) 642 - 6617 P.O. Box 65150 Washington, DC 20035 *We've got big plans for 2013. Join or renew<http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/membership/welcome/> with the Alliance today!*

2 1

Focus on education or D.I.Y.?
by Paul Nagel 13 Jun '13

13 Jun '13

Forgive the long email, please! With respect to workshops where the public can repair their own bikes: Does your organization perceive and market your workshops as being more about A) learning bike maintenance (particularly basic skills, i.e. most people come to learn) or B) an opportunity to use tools and equipment to do it yourself and save money (it's "ok" (tolerable?) if you don't know much) I imagine many reading this will want to answer "both" or more probably "both and much more". My thinking about this until now has basically just been "both and much more". The answer must vary depending on location, demographics served, the size and proportion of bicycle users in your area, the nature of your local cycling culture, etc. Here in beautiful Orange County, our visitors are from diverse backgrounds but they almost all come with very little knowledge of how to repair their bikes and a strong majority want to learn more (I don't have survey statistics or anything, this is just based on talking with people at workshops). This has me realizing that my group might bring more people in and clarify our purpose if we were to emphasize the learning aspect. This can have significant impact in terms of the primary wording of our flyers, the staffing of our workshops, the descriptions of our workshops, even the visual styling of our materials. It might shift our focus in terms of our target audience. Off the bat, I think it implies we should continue to present ourselves as an organization with broad appeal and strive to improve in this regard. In other words, conceptualizing things more as "come learn how to integrate bikes into your life" and not so centrally "come work on your bike using shared tools and used parts with the help of volunteers because its cheap and more fun and the capitalist exchange economy is destructive, etc." I believe the latter statement is valid. I also recognize bike co-ops are often complex organizations that serve many purposes and have a variety of symbiotic elements. However, to return the focus specifically to do-it-together bike repair, I'm just getting a strong feeling that we should be presenting ourselves as "Learning with a repair side effect" rather than "Repair with a learning side effect". Some might object to putting one before the other, but, again, I've been feeling that the reality of what people are looking for when they come to us and other stuff like the task of describing what we do is sort of calling for a priority to be chosen. I believe that if "learning" is put completely front and center, then you are sending a very clear message that people with few skills are totally welcome. I guess this is the meat of what I'm getting at. It helps take away ALL anxieties people might have about not knowing stuff about bikes. It makes it very clear that no humiliation awaits you if you come to a workshop and need step-by-step assistance. It also makes it clearer to ourselves that we need plenty of able volunteers to facilitate learning. It might furthermore give the other volunteers a clearer picture of their purpose at workshops, and they might even find the teaching part more inspiring than merely repairing bikes. I think this connects with maintaining a more "mainstreamed" appeal if we see that we are serving people of all kinds and creeds, and being welcoming toward beginners rather than bring more of a clubhouse for the initiated. This doesn't involve a major shift or wholesale whitewashing, but perhaps points toward the importance of doing all we can to keep things clean, organized, attractive (while still feeling free to express diverse opinions and tastes). Perhaps this balance between maintaining an uncomplicated welcoming atmosphere yet not suppressing the free expression of a co-op's regulars, volunteers, and staff is another discussion. I'd really like to know people's thoughts and definitely experiences with the learning-beginner/D.I.Y-initiated dynamic. For example, has anyone shifted their marketing/mission/image one way or the other (or honed down this image) and noticed any changes? Did this shift in image occur as a response to changes in clientele, or an improvement in assessing their needs? Supplementary thoughts: one concern is presenting too much of an image of being "for beginners" and turning off people with more experience. Another concern is not clearly communicating that people can actually repair their bikes, not just learn about doing it. Also, these thoughts come in conjunction with our group getting more involved in bike advocacy and also doing more bike rides (potentially getting League Certified Instructors involved), so that we can be a bit of a "one stop shop" for people looking to improve and increase their bicycle use. I hope this wasn't too much thinking out loud, I'd really love to hear any experiences with this stuff, because we are making some significant changes and opening a shop in half a year or so and I'd like to have our energies properly focused. Thank you, Paul Nagel The Bicycle Tree P.O. Box 11293 Santa Ana, CA 92711 http://www.thebicycletree.org info(a)thebicycletree.org

4 4

Community Cycles is Hiring a Sales & Service Manager
by director 10 Jun '13

10 Jun '13

https://docs.google.com/a/communitycycles.org/document/d/1PgPaWzIPA0p7YJ3vm… -- -- 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

1 0

Community Cycles is Hiring a Part Time Seasonal Bike Mechanic
by director 10 Jun '13

10 Jun '13

https://docs.google.com/a/communitycycles.org/document/d/1xYmWZcLLfQzVnSKIp… -- -- 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

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Bicis Rotas: Cycling and Bike Re-Cycling as Mental Health/Drug Therapy?
by Affordable Bikes Re-Cyclery 09 Jun '13

09 Jun '13

Hi, someone just sent us the first link and I thought it was really interesting, as we've been getting a fair number of customers in various stages of recovery. Just wondering if anyone has had contact with this organization or and/or is doing similar work? The first link led me to the second one. http://www.fundacionmanantial.org/blog/bicis-rotas/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundacion_Manantiales

1 0

Re: [TheThinkTank] Focus on education or D.I.Y.?
by Vernon Huffman 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

When we explain our incentives for doing work in our admittedly funky space, we say "because this is a learning shop, we need all kinds working here. If you know what you're doing, we want to watch. And if you're not sure, we want you to ask questions. Learning requires both roles." We stress the cycle of studying theory, watching another do the job, doing it yourself with assistance, and then teaching the process to somebody else. Shop managers keep an eye out for opportunities to repeat a lesson to everybody in the shop, but we also refer new students to the one who just learned that lesson. We accomplish a lot of repair while focusing on maintaining the learning environment.

1 0

Theft, punishment, etc
by Tim Buckingham 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Here at Broke Spoke we have had an individual who has been stealing on a regular basis and who is more self-fulfilling than actually contributing to the mission of the space. It is to the point where we think we need to ask him to leave the shop and to not return. Anyone have any experience with situations like this? Any retaliation?

10 9

Safe space policy
by Geoffrey Bercarich 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Can I ask all collectives to give their interpretation of a safe space and a method to maintain a safe or safer space.

4 4

Re: [TheThinkTank] Test for (volunteer) mechanics?
by Keren Gottfried 04 Jun '13

04 Jun '13

Hm, it sounds like yu are really hoping to get volunteers with a solid knowledge level to make sure you're helping a lot of people well. Is a written test your favourite method and do you think it is accessible to all? In my experience, written tests favour a very particular sort of learning style. What about something less academic/intimidating/formal, like a conversation or hands-on demonstration? We don't test people at Bike Pirates, we basically let anyone start (after they take an orientation) and learn "on the job". New and vet volunteers alike are encouraged to be open and honest with their knowledge levels with participants, to learn by "shadowing", and to ask questions vs. guess. We also explain to participants when they walk in (at least, we try to) that all our volunteers have varied knowledge levels and that we are a DIY work space. So we don't require people have a "base level" of knowledge. If you're just starting out but you've mastered flats, or brakes, or whatever, be the one to help with that issue as often as possible and shadow others on topics you know less about. It's an imperfect system but it allows for people to learn at their own pace, for our program to be welcome and accessible, while still being as efficient as possible. Background --> at Bike Pirates we have a (recently refined) volunteer training program that involves a couple hours on every Wednesday night for 3 weeks. The first week is a general orientation to the space and is the only mandatory week, followed by a mechanical orientation and the third is a walk trough and practice Bike Build night. - Keren, Bike Pirates. Toronto --- On Mon, 6/3/13, Paul Nagel <paul(a)thebicycletree.org> wrote: From: Paul Nagel <paul(a)thebicycletree.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Test for (volunteer) mechanics? To: "thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Received: Monday, June 3, 2013, 8:58 PM To start off, we've been seeing that nearly everyone (literally 49 out of 50 or even 99 out of 100) that comes to our workshops for do-it-together repair knows very little about bike maintenance (don't know a barrel adjuster from a limit screw). The process of learning is fundamental to these workshops, as it may be for most of the groups on this list. The notion of having a workspace where someone is vaguely supervising while people have at their bikes would not work for us at all. We pretty much need to be one on one with our visitors, we were 3 visitors to one volunteer the other day and it was far from optimal. In this light, it is important that our volunteer mechanics be at least decent mechanics as well as good teachers. We respect the importance of "hands off", but know that people come to our workshops not so much for the tools, but rather for the assistance of someone who knows what they are doing. So, I'm wondering if anyone uses a pretty simple written test (30 - 50 questions) in the process of bringing in new volunteer mechanics. We do not currently, though we do have new volunteers self-evaluate their level of knowledge on a one-page volunteer information form. I'm thinking a test could help quickly and objectively evaluate a person's skill level and help identify opportunities for growth. Any advice regarding problems and pitfalls would be appreciated. Of course any sample tests would be fantastic. This could be the same as an Earn-A-Bike test. Thank you, Paul Nagel The Bicycle Tree P.O. Box 11293 Santa Ana, CA 92711 http://www.thebicycletree.org info(a)thebicycletree.org -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ 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.…

4 7