- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Test for (volunteer) mechanics?
by Paul Nagel 03 Jun '13

03 Jun '13

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

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Experience with Surly Cargo Trailers (Bill or Ted Trailer)?
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 03 Jun '13

03 Jun '13

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Experience with Surly Cargo Trailers (Bill or Ted Trailer)?
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 31 May '13

31 May '13

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Need Bike Valet Racks? Has anyone here thought of doing Bike Valet?? Contact SPOKES....
by Brian Drayton 30 May '13

30 May '13

Valet Bike Parking is like a coat check for your bike. Your organizaton can provide safe, free , event parking for many of the outdoor festivals in your area.. It is a fun way to be involved in the festivities of your cities events while promoting bicycling as an everyday means of transportation for everyone, and lowering the carbon foot print of each event , the city, and the planet. It is also an opportunity to work with your community spreading cycle frienly service and encouraging cycle culture . > *"For Brian Drayton, bike parking is not just a convenience; it's a > necessity, a mission, a movement in the making. Richmond Spokes, the > organization he founded in early 2009, provides valet bicycle parking at > about 25 small- to medium-size events throughout the Bay Area each year. > But more impressive than that is his sheer ambition. > "I want people to understand we can use bikes for everything, everyday," > Drayton said. "There should be as many bike-parking facilities as there are > gas stations in the world."* From: East Bay Express http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/a-bike-rack-on-every-corner/Content?o… * * ****SPOKES can also prepare a Bike Valet SUrvival kit with instrucions best practices forms documents and strategies for marketing , deploying and monitizing your Bike Valet movement * *NEW!!! * Spokes New Portable (Moved by Bikes)Racks are durable and compact and available to other community bike orgs through SPOKES. *2013 SPOKES GETS NEW RACKS (Available Now)* * * * [image: 2013]<https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/programs/val…> * *After three years of our basic steel conduit racks , SPOKES has found the rack that rocks for bike Valet. **By this spring SPOKES will have replaced all our old racks with the Moved by bikes portable racks.* * * *SPOKES is also going to be Subsidizing these racks for other community bike organizations and bike coops to encourage the National Bike Movement in each SPOKES city. * * * * * *To make an order inquiry fill out the form at the bottom of this page or click this link<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dERkRGcxcGxNREh2ejFEem…> * * * * https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dERkRGcxcGxNREh2ejFEem… * *Price List * *Racks are: <https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/programs/val…> * - *$190 Each MSRP for companies and individuals* - *$100-$160 for qualifying community members and community bike organizations & cycling clubs** * * *Please fill out Rack Purchase inquiry below and let us know about your organization. * * * * * * * * * For inquiries email: racks(a)richmondspokes.org or call the Shop at 510-545-2243 <https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/programs/val…> * The community Bike Collective is dedicated to providing technical support and financial assistance to any community serving organization showing the will capacity and audience for Free Bike Valet services within their community. For more information about CBC and how we areplanning to use collective purchasing capitol to create deeper econimic prosperity in the community bike culture. Please join us: *here:https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/cbc* *CBC reserves the right to review applications and make delegations of subsidies and discounts under the strict criteria based on the factors set by our advisory and board of directors to make such delegations of the for mentioned subsidies to organizations contributing to our national Bike Valet Movement. * Bike Rack Order Form Open *Bike Rack Order Form*<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?authuser=1&hl=en&key=0AoF6wNHB…> Brian Drayton Oakland SPOKES Community Bike Lounge 465 9th Street Oakland, Ca. 94607 510-545-2243 Brian(a)oaklandspokes.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oakland SPOKES loves it's Popup Home!!! Support us with your words in extending our Popup Lease and moving toward a long term /Permanant lease allowing us capitalize our community comittment. Please lend us yout testimonial of support by filling out this petition of support. (responders recieve a 15% Discount card via email) http://tinyurl.com/oaklandspokes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JFMWCU…>

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Climate Action
by Vernon Huffman 29 May '13

29 May '13

Please share your thoughts about the role of cyclists in transitioning from a fossil fuel economy. Bike4Peace has organized many cross continental rides to demonstrate the viability of efficient human powered transportation. We're eager to consider ways we can mobilize cyclists to augment the political movement to address climate change. Thanks -Vernon ----------------------------------------------------------+ | __o CONTINENTAL CRITICAL MASS | _`\;,_ come ride with me | (*)/ (*) My Blog | Bike4Peace Across the USA -----------------------------------------------------------+ - Vernon Huffman creator of Change

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 81, Issue 22
by Carolyn Szczepanski 29 May '13

29 May '13

Hey folks- The League is *just getting started* in developing our equity initiative and pulled together a mini-report on "The New Majority: Pedaling Toward Equity." Would love to hear folks' feedback. Here's the link to the report: http://www.bikeleague.org/news/equity_report.pdf *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/> * On Wed, May 29, 2013 at 2:43 PM, < 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. Need Bike Valet Racks? Has anyone here thought of doing Bike > Valet?? Contact SPOKES.... (Brian Drayton) > 2. Re: Need Bike Valet Racks? Has anyone here thought of doing > Bike Valet?? Contact SPOKES.... (Reno Bikes) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 11:12:58 -0700 > From: Brian Drayton <brian(a)oaklandspokes.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Need Bike Valet Racks? Has anyone here thought > of doing Bike Valet?? Contact SPOKES.... > Message-ID: > <CAL9cosbaVgUT1T3= > yeJJm6Lhce5PcmVOKFo+WrWWBomJa-haAA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Valet Bike Parking is like a coat check for your bike. Your organizaton > can provide safe, free , event parking for many of the outdoor festivals > in your area.. > > > It is a fun way to be involved in the festivities of your cities events > while promoting bicycling as an everyday means of transportation for > everyone, and lowering the carbon foot print of each event , the city, and > the planet. It is also an opportunity to work with your community > spreading cycle frienly service and encouraging cycle culture . > > > > *"For Brian Drayton, bike parking is not just a convenience; it's a > > necessity, a mission, a movement in the making. Richmond Spokes, the > > organization he founded in early 2009, provides valet bicycle parking at > > about 25 small- to medium-size events throughout the Bay Area each year. > > But more impressive than that is his sheer ambition. > > "I want people to understand we can use bikes for everything, everyday," > > Drayton said. "There should be as many bike-parking facilities as there > are > > gas stations in the world."* > > > From: East Bay Express > > http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/a-bike-rack-on-every-corner/Content?o… > > * > * > ****SPOKES can also prepare a Bike Valet SUrvival kit with instrucions > best practices forms documents and strategies for marketing , > deploying and monitizing your Bike Valet movement * > > > *NEW!!! * Spokes New Portable (Moved by Bikes)Racks are durable and compact > and available to other community bike orgs through SPOKES. > > *2013 SPOKES GETS NEW RACKS (Available Now)* > * > * > * > [image: 2013]< > https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/programs/val… > > > > * > *After three years of our basic steel conduit racks , SPOKES has found the > rack that rocks for bike Valet. **By this spring SPOKES will have > replaced all our old racks with the Moved by bikes portable racks.* > * > * > *SPOKES is also going to be Subsidizing these racks for other community > bike organizations and bike coops to encourage the National Bike Movement > in each SPOKES city. * > * > * > * > * > *To make an order inquiry fill out the form at the bottom of this page or > click this link< > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dERkRGcxcGxNREh2ejFEem… > > > * > * > * > * > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dERkRGcxcGxNREh2ejFEem… > * > > *Price List * > *Racks are: > < > https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/programs/val… > > > * > > - *$190 Each MSRP for companies and individuals* > - *$100-$160 for qualifying community members and community bike > organizations & cycling clubs** > > * > * > *Please fill out Rack Purchase inquiry below and let us know about your > organization. * > * > * > * > * > * > * > * > * > For inquiries email: racks(a)richmondspokes.org or call the Shop at > 510-545-2243 > > > < > https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/programs/val… > > > * The community Bike Collective is dedicated to providing technical > support and financial assistance to any community serving organization > showing the will capacity and audience for Free Bike Valet services within > their community. > > For more information about CBC and how we areplanning to use collective > purchasing capitol to create deeper econimic prosperity in the community > bike culture. Please join us: > *here:https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/cbc* > > *CBC reserves the right to review applications and make delegations of > subsidies and discounts under the strict criteria based on the factors set > by our advisory and board of directors to make such delegations of the for > mentioned subsidies to organizations contributing to our national Bike > Valet Movement. * > > Bike Rack Order Form > > Open *Bike Rack Order > Form*< > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?authuser=1&hl=en&key=0AoF6wNHB… > > > > Brian Drayton > Oakland SPOKES Community Bike Lounge > 465 9th Street > Oakland, Ca. 94607 > 510-545-2243 > Brian(a)oaklandspokes.org > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Oakland SPOKES loves it's Popup Home!!! Support us with your words in > extending our Popup Lease and moving toward a long term /Permanant lease > allowing us capitalize our community comittment. > > Please lend us yout testimonial of support by filling out this petition of > support. (responders recieve a 15% Discount card via email) > > http://tinyurl.com/oaklandspokes > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > < > https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JFMWCU… > > >

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Purchases with Sweat Equity
by Vernon Huffman 28 May '13

28 May '13

We ran into some potential trouble for paying volunteers with bicycles, which could be a violation of labor laws, so we developed a volunteer incentive program. Paraphrasing, it says if you completely overhaul two bicycles, you can keep the one of lesser value. It allows a Shop Manager to accept equivalent volunteer work in lieu of overhauling a bike. If somebody needs a bike and is willing to make an effort, we make sure she gets it, but we don't give them away. Everybody has some talent to offer. Our slogan is "give a little more than you get." ________________________________ From: "thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" 1. (Edward Kirkwood) An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.bikecollectives.org/pipermail/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org…>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Purchases with Sweat Equity
by troy neiman 26 May '13

26 May '13

At BICAS, AZ we have a strict policy to do the work before you get the bike. Nor do we hold bikes while sweat equity (we call work-trade program) is being done. It would be great if everyone would come back and do the work but I am actually surprised that even 50% of the people did. You are already providing a really great service for people and its very fair to ask people to do the work first. Troy Neiman ----- Original Message ----- From: Edward Kirkwood Sent: 05/22/13 06:29 AM To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Purchases with Sweat Equity At Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop in Lexington, KY, our bike purchase policy is: People without the financial means can purchase a bike that is priced < $100 totally on credit that day with the verbal agreement that they return to shop and volunteer enough to pay their debt off. Our sweat equity policy pays folks $8 / hour in shop credit. After a review of our sweat equity accounts that we keep for each customer, we discovered that over 50% of the folks who purchased a 100% sweat equity bike never came back after that initial visit/bike purchase. Our mission is to provide better acccess to better bicycles used for transportation and to enable folks to perform their own maintenance. While our current policy is providing bikes to people, we are questioning whether we are giving folks a handout rather than a hand-up. We would like to hear how some of you handle sweat equity bike purchases. More specifically adult purchases as we do not have a huge kid market. Allen Kirkwood Broke Spoke

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1304 Bikes Needs Your Help!
by 1304bikes 22 May '13

22 May '13

You are receiving this email because at some point in the past you contacted 1304 Bikes, whether it was to donate a bike, inquire about getting a bike, or to help out in any way. We are writing you now to ask for your help in re-opening our doors after 4 years of being closed. We have found a new space in downtown Raleigh, but we need to raise enough money for our first years rent plus some start-up costs. This will give us the time needed to focus on re-establishing our previously successful programs and to create a sustainable fundraising model that will carry us into the future. We have 10 days left in our campaign and still have a ways to go, but if everyone who reads this email gave just $15 we would get there! So please consider donating. We are running a fixed campaign, so if we don't reach our goal, we get nothing and you will get a full refund. You can read below for more information or head to our funding site to see pictures, check out the perks we're offering, and make a donation. Thank you all for your support, past and present, and our apologies if you have already received this or donated (thank you!) *Donation Page:* http://igg.me/at/1304bikes/x/2593075 *More detailed info on 1304bikes and our fundraising campaign:* As Raleigh’s only non-profit bicycle program, past or present, 1304 bikes filled a unique niche in the bicycle community. Established in 2005, it was the only place where Raleigh residents, regardless of income, could earn a bicycle, find spare parts, use community tools, and receive repair instruction. Our parts and tools were provided to residents at no cost, and participants in the Earn-a-Bike program could obtain a free bicycle by volunteering to help at the shop for 1-8 hours. Our other programs included Open Shop where access to tools and used parts are freely accessible to the bicycle community and Kid-a-bike where donated kids bikes are refurbished and distributed at no cost to children. Over the years, the popularity of 1304 bikes grew and the organization became widely loved by the cycling community. 1304 bikes served a wide-spread and diverse cross section of the Raleigh population, including youth, college students, the homeless and cyclists of all walks. The number of shop users and Earn-a-Bike participants grew with each year we remained open, and we were on track in 2009 to have over 300 people complete the Earn-a-Bike program. Our busiest summer months would typically see 25-30 successful Earn-a-Bikers as well as up to 50 shop users during open hours. Our new space will allow us to continue the growth we had, as well as to reach new people and expand the programs and services that we offer. 1304 bikes also provided a valuable outlet for residents wishing to see their old bicycles reused and recycled instead of going to the landfill. We try to minimize as much waste as we can, re-purposing parts and bikes we cannot use into work stands, bike art, jewelry, etc. What we cannot use, we recycle including steel, aluminum, and tires. Unfortunately in 2009, 1304 bikes was forced to cease operations due to improper zoning of the building we operated in. In the last 4 years, little traction was made in finding a new shop space, especially one that was centrally located and affordable for a nonprofit with a meager income. At last though, we have finally found a new space in downtown Raleigh that we are excited about! It is on N. West St. and we will be renting 1,500 square feet of warehouse type space with the potential to expand as we grow. But with little funds in our account and no fundraising mechanisms in place due to our 4 year layoff, we are going to need some help. We are asking for the community’s support helping us to raise our first year's rent up front as well as some start-up money for tools, signage, workbenches, etc. We are running a fixed funding campaign, which means we will only get funded if we reach our goal. We feel that for 1304 bikes to thrive, we need to act now and spend the next several months focusing on reestablishing our previously successful shop programs and rebuilding a member base rather than worrying about fundraising. If we meet our funding goal, it will give us the breathing room we need to get 1304 up and running again; otherwise we will step back from 1304 bikes and hopefully find other ways to be a positive part of the Raleigh community. We initially got involved in this project because we loved riding and fixing bikes as well as the sense of community that came with those things. Please help us get back to sharing what we love and rebuilding that community by donating. -- 1304bikes www.1304bikes.com https://www.facebook.com/1304Bikes

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Bike Purchases with Sweat Equity
by Edward Kirkwood 22 May '13

22 May '13

At Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop in Lexington, KY, our bike purchase policy is: People without the financial means can purchase a bike that is priced < $100 totally on credit that day with the verbal agreement that they return to shop and volunteer enough to pay their debt off. Our sweat equity policy pays folks $8 / hour in shop credit. After a review of our sweat equity accounts that we keep for each customer, we discovered that over 50% of the folks who purchased a 100% sweat equity bike never came back after that initial visit/bike purchase. Our mission is to provide better acccess to better bicycles used for transportation and to enable folks to perform their own maintenance. While our current policy is providing bikes to people, we are questioning whether we are giving folks a handout rather than a hand-up. We would like to hear how some of you handle sweat equity bike purchases. More specifically adult purchases as we do not have a huge kid market. Allen Kirkwood Broke Spoke

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summer season lines and addressing peoples needs
by Andrea Chiotti 21 May '13

21 May '13

Hey, I'm working at the Community Cycling Center in Portland Oregon and we have been trying to brainstorm how to keep track of customers and tool stand users in the melee of the summer season. People come into our shop and line up out the door. Some people have "a quick question" and some need to consult about building their bike. It is hard to maintain a sense of order when one mechanic may be with a patron for 1 hour or more. Has anyone come up with a system to manage customers? We become overwhelmed trying to manage customers making purchases, consulting on repairs that they want to do themselves or have us do, or consulting about bike sizing, test riding, etc. We tried a "take a number" system last season that proved ineffective and just as confusing. We also tried having some people doing customer shuffling while mechanics answered questions, but still we would like to be more efficient. I'd love to hear any suggestions anyone may have or tactics you find work to maintain a steady pace of work and address needs in an organized way! Please feel free to ask me questions if i have been unclear. I am looking forward to hearing different problem solving tactics. Andrea Chiotti

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Squatted bike shop in Detroit.
by Marshall Symons 18 May '13

18 May '13

FIREWEEDUNIVERSECITY.ORG We were squatting a house and running it out of there but this year we are taking over a comercial space that has been abandoned for 15 years. I posted some pics of our progress on our blog. I hope you guys enjoy checking out our progress. <3 MARS PSYENCE fireweed universe city red planet bicycle collective DETROIT HUSTLES HARDER!

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Re: [TheThinkTank] summer season lines and addressing peoples needs
by Rachel Morris 18 May '13

18 May '13

At one point we had the same good problem. When stands were full, we put out a sign-in sheet. The person would write their name, cell number, date and time. When a stand opened, we'd call the person. That way they could be around at a shop, and then come back quickly. We never had as many people as you - so we had more wiggle room. I'm not sure how that would work with a serious line up. Kind Regards, Rachel The HUB Community Bike Shop - Ventura, CA

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We need space
by Garry Zimmerman 16 May '13

16 May '13

I am a volunteer at the Bicycle Resource of Bend in Bend, Oregon. We rent a small office space where we repair donated bicycles and we have five 10'X20' storage units packed with bikes and parts. We sell bikes to cover our $850 a month rent. We are so packed it is hard to turn around. My question is: What have other non-profits done to give them selves the space they needed? Garry BROB

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http://www.bikecollectives.org/ Is DOWN
by director 14 May '13

14 May '13

Anyone know what's going on? http://www.bikecollectives.org/ -- -- Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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Shop data management?
by Andrew Shooner 09 May '13

09 May '13

What kind of data do you record as part of your shop operations? Right now we use a somewhat abused set of spreadsheets to track our pertinent info, but I'm in the process of creating a more task-specific database (a web app) to handle it all better. Here is what we track now: - Volunteer hours (to add volunteer sweat equity credit to volunteers' records) - Sweat equity used (to subtract credit for purchase of bikes, parts, stand time) - Bike sales: Bike ID, how it was paid (cash/equity), how it will be used Our cash & credit sales are tracked independently on a POS/register. Right now that is all done on paper, then later entered into the spreadsheets. It's kind of a cumbersome process, but visitors are comfortable with a paper sign-in sheet, and volunteers are comfortable with a spreadsheet (vs. a database). We don't track overall number of shop visitors (although we do hang on to our paper sign-in sheets), or gross volume of stand time provided. While we have contact info for all visitors on a waiver they fill out the first time they come in the shop, we would probably have a difficult time if we needed to quickly find an emergency contact for someone, since they are all just on paper right now. I'd like to integrate that all together into the database. Since I'm writing this front desk app, I thought I'd ping the community to see if these are common needs, or if there are other common needs that I could consider as I develop it. I'd love for it to be useful enough to offer to the broader community at some point. -Andy Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop Lexington, KY

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Resources for starting a community bike shop
by Emrys Prussin 09 May '13

09 May '13

Hi There, We are starting a community bike shop in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and wondered if there were any resources out there with tips on starting up and things that others have learned in the process of starting their own community shops. We are in the process of putting together a first order for tools, to allow us to have at least three people working in the shop at once during community classes and for volunteers. Is anyone aware of a tool list that might give us some extra direction? any suggestions would be much appreciated, Oldtown Bike Works Yellowknife, NWT

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Question - Role of Community Bike Shops in Bike Advocacy
by james bledsoe 06 May '13

06 May '13

In Los Angeles, The los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition does the heavy lifting in this department. leaving us at the Bicycle Kitchen to focus on wrenching and empowering more regular folks to just ride their bicycles. This creates a larger pool of potential allies and advocates increasing the chances that the more politically minded among us will meet and the necessary magic will transpire. Like build it and they will come, wrench and they will roll!! jim --- On Sat, 5/4/13, Jason Tanzman <jason.tanzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Jason Tanzman <jason.tanzman(a)gmail.com> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Question - Role of Community Bike Shops in Bike Advocacy To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013, 12:37 PM Hey all, I'd love to hear stories of community bike shops explicitly involved in bike advocacy. I interpret "bike advocacy" pretty broadly but am thinking along the lines of fighting for bike lanes, changing bike-negative laws, pushing for complete streets policies, etc. I'm spending some time thinking about the role of community bike shops in the bike advocacy movement. One theme I've been reflecting on - and I welcome people's thoughts, comments, push-back, etc - is this. The bicycle advocacy movement is limited in its potential in part because of the lack of diverse community leadership and participation from traditionally under-represented communities (we/they are a bunch of old white men). Community bike shops have an incredible diversity of experiences and connections to traditionally under-represented communities, but a lack of intentional engagement in policy work limits community bike shops' ability to have a broad-reaching and long-term impact. I'm trying to understand how really grassroots organizations can have a more broad-reaching impact - and where community bike shops have succeeded (or failed) in using our networks to involve people in influencing legislation or government investments. I welcome any stories that in any way touch on the relationship between community bike shops to advocacy initiatives! Jason Tanzman Cycles for Change -- Development and Outreach Director 612-232-2737 (cell) 651-222-2080 (shop) www.cyclesforchange.org The mission of Cycles for Change 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! -----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.…

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Question - Role of Community Bike Shops in Bike Advocacy
by Rachel Morris 06 May '13

06 May '13

I totally agree that bike shops are a fantastic forum for bicycle advocacy. It's one of the best ways to reach a broad base of people directly affected by bike legislation and road conditions. You get to meet people, one-on-one, and talk about the issues. The Ventura Bike HUB (our shop) is becoming an important forum for the Ventura Bicycle Union (our advocacy arm). We plan to start holding our political meetings at the HUB, as soon as we nail down the location (we're still building hopping). Depending on how you did your paper-work, most 501(c)(3)s can put up to 20% of their resources into lobbying - as long as it's not partisan or supporting any particular candidate. "Assembly Bill AB1371 is going toward the governor for a third time." I would appreciate some specifics on the most strategic approach to respond to this bill. Is there a point person we should target? What is the status? Are there specific talking points. If there's a good link I can read-up on, that would be helpful. Rachel Morris VCCool Executive Director/ Ventura Bike HUB Director www.vccool.org

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Question - Role of Community Bike Shops in Bike Advocacy
by Jason Tanzman 04 May '13

04 May '13

Hey all, I'd love to hear stories of community bike shops explicitly involved in bike advocacy. I interpret "bike advocacy" pretty broadly but am thinking along the lines of fighting for bike lanes, changing bike-negative laws, pushing for complete streets policies, etc. I'm spending some time thinking about the role of community bike shops in the bike advocacy movement. One theme I've been reflecting on - and I welcome people's thoughts, comments, push-back, etc - is this. The bicycle advocacy movement is limited in its potential in part because of the lack of diverse community leadership and participation from traditionally under-represented communities (we/they are a bunch of old white men). Community bike shops have an incredible diversity of experiences and connections to traditionally under-represented communities, but a lack of intentional engagement in policy work limits community bike shops' ability to have a broad-reaching and long-term impact. I'm trying to understand how really grassroots organizations can have a more broad-reaching impact - and where community bike shops have succeeded (or failed) in using our networks to involve people in influencing legislation or government investments. I welcome any stories that in any way touch on the relationship between community bike shops to advocacy initiatives! Jason Tanzman Cycles for Change -- Development and Outreach Director 612-232-2737 (cell) 651-222-2080 (shop) www.cyclesforchange.org The mission of Cycles for Change 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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Fwd: What SPOKES is up to... Oakland Spokes Community Bike Lounge
by Brian Drayton 30 Apr '13

30 Apr '13

Help Support SPOKES Community Bike Lounge. 465 9th street Oakland Ca A movement and a space creating a social and community bike space collectively supported by Community Bike Organizations *(CBO)* ** . As a Pop up , our goal is to be a campaign headquarters to highlight the contributions of CBO's in our area. We are currently crowd funding however our development of the fundraising plan needs the seeds of your support. <https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JFMWCU…> SPOKES has been operating in Richmond, CA for four years and has had Great success unveiling the hidden bike culture in Richmond. SPOKES has been stimulating economy and green mobility in the heart of Richmond’s Downtown renaissance, and creating the resources and space for a city of 259,000 people with no bike shop. SPOKES customers not only buy bikes and repair and maintain their bikes, but also congregate and cultivate a movement of healthy living and mobility. During this time, SPOKES notoriety and work has been recognized and the SPOKES model requested by communities in San Pablo, EL Cerrito, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro, Los Angeles, CA, Atlanta, GA, Minneapolis MI, and in Washington DC. ** *Unfortunately the Richmond SPOKESHOP Bike Shop & Lounge will not be able to renew it's lease after May 1, 2013 at Market square Mall. We are beginning a campaign to raise capitol to find another *permanent* home for spokes in Richmond, Ca. * *The Oakland SPOKES Community Bike Lounge is being established to be the * * campaign headquarters of SPOKES National and the focal point of a fund raising ** campaign to relocate and sustain the founding SPOKESHOP in Richmond, and to establish a fund ** for supporting SPOKES affiliated Community bike organizations nationally. * * * *We will be launching an IndieGogo crowd funder in about a week and need support in finishing touches and stock for the new place. It would be awesome to *receive* any amount from you as *colleagues* or from your networks in support. SOKES believes that united we can change the global fight to create peaceful productive mobile green Communities and *more so to* make bikes a reality for all our communities through supporting Community Bike Organizations. * * * *[image: Inline image 1]<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JFMWCU…> * > Calling all community and community bike minded businesses and > organizations. > Oakland SPOKES is launching a hyper local/National Community Bike > Organization (CBO) Campaign and is setting up a community bike lounge in > partnership with Pop Up Hood Oakland to host “Bay Built Bikes” by East Bay > Area Community Bike Organizations (CBO) and, local mechanics/builders and > bike art vendors. > This Bike lounge will display and consign Bikes built by Bay Area > mechanics as part of the campaign Headquarters for SPOKES National’s > Community Bike Organization Project. Our goal is to collectively advocate > for earmarked City, State, and Federal Funding of our communities’ CBO > Projects. This lounge will have commuter accessories, and catered café > fixings from Awaken Cafe, Bicycle Coffee, Numi Tea, and Rock the Bike > smoothies in its cool Old > T > own Location > > 465 9th street Oakland > Ca > . We will be having daily opportunities for you as **members to reserve > space to do workshops, and host bike-related social events. > > Our soft opening will be held in conjunction with Oakland’s First Friday > on May 3rd 2013. Following that, our grand opening will take place in the > middle of the Bike to Work After Party and we will be hosting the official > Bike to work “After Party -After Party”. We plan to have DJ music by Abel > Dee and special guests and perhaps some Bike Flix to keep the pedals > turning. > > The lounge will have a map of the East Bay covering an entire wall as > focal accent. This map will have pushpins for all the CBO’s. Bike routes > will be marked out on the map in red and will begin from the SPOKES > Community Bike Org Hub on the map along routes to each site pinned on the > map. This map will serve as a visual guide to patrons of where all our > shops are located in reference to each other the hub and their lives. The > SPOKESHOP community bike lounge will also provide your organization with a > space for exposure in Downtown Oakland where you can showcase your bikes, > bike art, bike jewelry and swag for sale. > > Each member shop or org will need to contribute their high quality logo > and a “Bay Built Bike” or bike product(s) to be part of the for sale > consignment exhibit. We will highlight your logo, branding and location > on a string of *banners in the lounge. Your product or bike will be > mounted on the wall or rack with a short bio of your organization and name > of the builder or artist behind the product. All sales will be tracked as > consignment and you will have the opportunity to refresh your line of > products as it sells. Our goal is to help our businesses or organization > further penetrate the bike movement and bike industry and send business as > well as awareness to the customers in your community. Through crowd funding > and a capital campaign, we intend to raise funds to advocate for bikes as > part of community economic development. > > In order to participate, we require you to be a **member of the Community > Bike Collective. > https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/cbc > > This successful model will serve as a hub of resources for cyclists in > East Bay by providing them with maps and quick commuter tips. > Increase your sales and impact while celebrating green mobility today. > Join us now! > https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/cbc > *To have a banner in the Oakland SPOKESHOP Community Bike Lounge we do > require a $25 fee and consigned product subject to our approval for our > gallery consignment space. > **There is no Membership fee for this inaugural group, as SPOKES wants to > encourage our founding member organizations to jump on the bandwagon and > participate on collective bargaining for funding and resources. > Inaugural members will have links to their business or organization on our > website member page and a placard in the shop. <https://sites.google.com/a/richmondspokes.org/about/programs-1/cbc> We're in the 465 9th street Oakland Ca space... Need to connect to everyone on details of this fantastic collective community bike pop up. Meeting Wednesday May 1 2013 at 7:00. Please Rsvp. > *Swag > / > Bikes > / > Music > / > Food > / > Workshops > / > Rides* - Soft Opening This First Friday. - Grand Opening...... May 9, 2013! *Anyone putting a bike in the gallery should send me a pix of your bike to be consigned: and full bio on your shop , the mechanic that built the bike , make Model and components and estimated sale price.* Looking for art and swag. We will talk about the consignment and collectively create the consignment contract on Wednesday. Bikes: We have Soft confirmations on Roll Up Bikes , Cosmic Cycles , Oakland SPOKES, and Rock the Bike. WHo's next...? Food: We have Soft confirmations on Bicycle Coffee, Numi Tea, Awaken Cafe, and James and the Giant Cupcake as food. NEED Linden BEER ADAM Art: We have Soft confirmations on Red Bike and Green, Zapinc, and Oaklandish on ART. Need some more art dedicated for Last week of May. Music: We have Soft confirmations on Music from Ross Aebldee Robinson Need some resident DJ gear.. and more dj:s for thursday Friday and Saturday Evenings. Workshops: We have Soft confirmations on workshops from Oakland SPokes, Binx Garage, Roll Up We need: proposals for workshops: by Tuesday evening. Come on SPOKELAND, Waterside WOrkshops, Cosmic Cycles, Bikes For Life - Speedy flat repair - Basic lube and tune - Wheel Truing - Deterring Bike Thieves - WHO WANT TO DO BIKE CHURCH: Three workshops in one Sunday mornings. Brian Drayton 510) 545-2243 brian@ <brian(a)richmondspokes.org>O aklandspokes.org http://www. <http://www.richmondspokes.org/>o aklandspokes.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Why re-invent the wheel ...when you can tighten the spokes? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >

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Rome, May 29th–May 31th 2013. Forum of bike recycling and community workshops
by Ciclofficine popolari Roma 30 Apr '13

30 Apr '13

FORUM OF BIKE RECYCLING AND COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS Three days of Bike Kitchen Forum (May 29th – 31st) in Rome We are glad to invite you to a Forum of bike recycling and community workshops which will take place in Rome, May 29th – May 31th 2013. Please confirm your participation at info(a)ciclofficinepopolari.it ------ After ten years of wrenches and ideas, we would like to reflect about the meaning and the evolution of today’s Bike Kitchens and Bike Communities, the sense of the reappropriation of the common spaces and the importance of the knowledge exchange. We feel the need to think about our bike riding direction and about the meaning of our mechanical skills. Starting from these questions we decided to share these thoughts with others Bike Kitchens which have similar experiences and horizons, even though belonging to dissimilar metropolitan environments. Places where, for example, biking is already part of the means of transport and it’s regulated by laws and standard normative, or places in which Bike Kitchens are sponsored by public or private entities, or can be organized as non-profit entities. For all these reasons we thought to create a gathering between the Bike Kitchens and Critical Mass which will take place the preceding week to the 10th Ciemmona (May 29th, 30th, 31st). Therefore we decided to host a Cyclocamp (from the 24th of May 'till the 3rd of June) and a Bike Kitchen Forum, not only for greasing ourselves from head to feet but also for sharing thoughts, ideas, practices and knowledge. We are convinced that putting together all these Bike Kitchens, in their similarities and mainly differences, we will be able to bring a renewed conscience in our global thinking and local acting. In order to promote this discussion we thought that could be useful to concentrate it in the three first days before the Ciemmona (29th , 30th, 31st of May) in which will take place the Forum. The following program is our proposal, is open to possible changes and rearrangements, and it has to be developed together Day 1 – Wed May 29th, 2pm-6pm. THE BIKE KITCHENS AND THEIR PRACTICES. Presentation of our experiences and different battle fields. Recycling, do-it-yourself, convivial technologies. Day 2 – Thu May 30th , 2pm-6pm. PROJECTS AND TERRITORY. Presentations of our differences: bottom-up /institutional initiatives, non-profit/ money-free approach. What do we do besides repair/invent/built up bicycles? Which objects and technologies are more people oriented? Welding, carpentering, sawing, etc. Day 3 – Fri May 31st 2pm-5pm. THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY. The Bike Kitchen reality was born starting from common needs and develops through sharing practices and ideas. Are there any other pathways to share? Does it make sense to organize a European Bike Kitchen Network? Which would be its use and goals? Could we think about a yearly international meeting of the Bike Kitchens? Could we do it during the Ciemmona or the Summer Cyclocamps? Should it be Itinerant? We would like to invite to present your experiences through an English presentation (powerpoint or similar, suggested format pdf) to be delivered to the other Bike Kitchens. Suggested Template for the presentation: Who are you (the speaker)? (1 slide) Which reality do you represent? (1 slide) Your organization: where is located, opening hours, how many activists, ect. Modus operandi and users Past and future projects These presentations, together with a small report of the three Forum days, will constitute a document that we would like to put together in a small publication. For all the participants, the garden of the CSOA eXSnia will be available for your camping tents, your skills, your ideas, etc. The camp site is totally free and you have to collaborate in its organization and management. We are strictly anti-fascist, anti-sexist and anti-racist. Please do not join us if you do not recognize yourself in these fundamental values. Roman people’s Bike Kitchen Network The Cyclocamp: http://ciclofficinepopolari.it/en/iniziative/2013/cyclocamp-roma/ , http://cyclocamp.org The Forum: http://ciclofficinepopolari.it/en/iniziative/2013/forum-delle-ciclofficine/ The 10th Interplanetary Critical Mass (Ciemmona): http://ciemmona.org/en The location: http://exsnia.it/ciclofficina Please confirm your participation and talk a little bit with us about the subject and the structure: info(a)ciclofficinepopolari.it Book a space for your tent sending an email to: accommodation(a)ciemmona.org Do you need a bike? We’ll do what we can! Write to: bikesharing(a)ciemmona.org

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Thoughts on new forum
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 30 Apr '13

30 Apr '13

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501c3 filing
by greenbean246 Green 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Hello Bike Co-Ops! The Lincoln Bike Kitchen is gathering corroborating information for our 501(c)3 filing. It would be most helpful to us if we could hear from other bike co-ops which have tax exempt status regarding what part of the IRS code you fall under. Being able to tell the IRS what kind of charity other bike co-ops have been designated will help them give us a designation more quickly. We appreciate any info any of you can give us. Thanks! B. J. GreenTreasurerLincoln Bike KitchenLincoln, NE

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Re: [TheThinkTank] 501c3 filing
by summitcyclingcenter＠yahoo.com 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Wise move! We have encountered difficulty with our application. Proper language is key in your description. Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile ----- Reply message ----- From: "greenbean246 Green" <greenbean246(a)hotmail.com> To: "Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] 501c3 filing Date: Thu, Apr 25, 2013 10:33 Hello Bike Co-Ops! The Lincoln Bike Kitchen is gathering corroborating information for our 501(c)3 filing. It would be most helpful to us if we could hear from other bike co-ops which have tax exempt status regarding what part of the IRS code you fall under. Being able to tell the IRS what kind of charity other bike co-ops have been designated will help them give us a designation more quickly. We appreciate any info any of you can give us. Thanks! B. J. GreenTreasurerLincoln Bike KitchenLincoln, NE

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keeping tools from disappearing
by Bob Giordano 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

All 12 of our work stations have basic tools. Everyone shares a chain tool, cable cutters and a crank puller though. For years, those tools would 'disappear' every few months. We did not want to have a sign-out system, so we chained a bike fork to the chain tool, a training wheel to the cable cutter and a big crank to the crank puller. These tools no longer go 'missing'. We also throw out the tops to the small chain oil bottles (3 bottles circulate), and the oil continues to flow now, and does not go missing. -- Bob Giordano Free Cycles Missoula Shop: 732 S. 1st St. West, 541.7284 12PM-6PM Mon-Sat Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation www.strans.org, mist(a)strans.org, 406-880-6834

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New SF Cycling Forum
by Alaine Anhalt 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

Hello everyone! I just launched a new cycling forum for SF bike riders as part of a graphic design thesis. The website is still under construction but the forum is up and running. It's purpose it to create a resource for cyclists who have qualms about riding around the city because they think it's too hard or too dangerous. It's my hope that by offering solutions, people will choose to ride their bikes more! I would love for anyone with a moment to check it out and add some content. These types of forums are only as valuable as their level of activity. Already in the past two days I have a ton of posts from new riders with questions about riding, but my problem is that I have less people with expert knowledge who can provide answers. I have noticed that this thinktank has a fantastic collective wealth of knowledge and it's my hope that if only a few people share some insight on the forum it will be a much more valuable resource to the cyclists of SF. You don't have to be from SF to know the answers to most of these questions. Your help means a lot to the cycling community! In addition, I have a soft design of an app and a series of events, all hypothetical pending the proper funding. In the meantime I'm hoping the forum is a useful resource :) http://biketheresf.com/forums/ http://biketheresf.com/register/ Hope everyone has a great day! -- Cheers, Alaine

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1304 Bikes Crowd-Funding Campaign
by 1304bikes 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

Please let me know if I'm off base for posting this here, but I just wanted to let everyone know the we here in Raleigh are trying to reopen our shop. We've been closed since our shop had to close due to zoning issues outside our control in 2009. Little traction was made in the last 4 years trying to secure a new space, but we have finally found one we think is ideal. It's 1500sqft of warehouse type space (with room to expand if needed) in downtown. However, we have little money and no fundraising mechanisms in place, so we're asking for community support to raise the money for our first years rent. This will allow us to get our programs restarted and set up fundraising/grants to make it sustainable in the long run. Thanks for reading and we look forward to getting active again and hopefully returning to bike!bike! http://igg.me/at/1304bikes https://www.facebook.com/1304Bikes -- 1304bikes www.1304bikes.com

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike!Bike! FB Site
by Tony DeFilippo 19 Apr '13

19 Apr '13

Hi there, My name is Tony DeFilippo, I'm the social media manager for Velocity Co-Op in Alexandria, VA. I'd like to join your Bike!Bike! 2013 New Orleans group as our Velocity Coop FB account identity but when I go to do it I'm not seeing that there is a 'Like' available. Do I need to be invited? Thanks for the help, it looks like a cool event!! Tony On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:27 AM, John Patterson < john.patterson(a)velocitycoop.org> wrote: > Thanks, Tony, > > Per their message below (which I should have included in my email), best > if you send them an email directly for us to join the group... > > Regards, John > > ___________________________ > John Patterson | Director | VéloCity Bicycle Co-op | 2111 Mt. Vernon Ave., > Alexandria, VA 22301 | velocitycoop.org | +1 703-835-0699 | Mobile: +1 > 703-608-3660 > > > *From: *Plan B <nolabikeproject(a)gmail.com> > *Subject: **Re: [TheThinkTank] List of mailing addresses for community > bike projects* > *Date: *April 16, 2013 11:36:22 AM EDT > *To: *The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > *Reply-To: *The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > > Hey there. > > Yes, probably. Mr. Morrison is a smart cookie! > > Also, we'd like to encourage people to join the Facebook group if they > have the capability. We'll also share the list on that page as well. > > https://www.facebook.com/groups/251742101526928/ > > Unfortunately, the bots and spammers have gotten pretty vicious trying to > join the FB group, so if you get rejected, please send me a message via > thinktank and I'll let you in. 99% of legit people will be accepted into the > group. We're hoping using this group as a primary source of info can keep > us from overloading the thinktank with minutae. > > Would it be helpful if the list were cut and pasted the invitation list to > The Think Tank (not an attachment) for people to peruse? We're trying to > gauge numbers and encourage early registration (which will be available > soon) as we feel that this event may be heavily attended. (We hope so!) > > Hope to see everyone in a few short months!!!! > > Victor Pizarro > Project Organizer > Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project > > > > On Apr 18, 2013, at 11:23 AM, Tony DeFilippo wrote: > > Hi John, > > It doesn't look like there is an option to 'like' or 'join' under the > admin roll for Facebook, however I shared the group and highlighted it on > the Velocity Timeline. I'll look into it further this evening, there must > be a way. > > Tony > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Tony DeFilippo <tony(a)ad28.net> > Date: Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:16 AM > Subject: Re: Bike!Bike! FB Site > To: sheba farrin <sheba.farrin(a)velocitycoop.org> > > > Of course! > > > On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:12 AM, sheba farrin < > sheba.farrin(a)velocitycoop.org> wrote: > >> Tony, >> May I please hand this off to you? >> Thank you! >> :-) >> >> >> ----- >> Sheba Farrin >> Sciathan Productions >> Velocity CoOp >> ----- >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: John Patterson <john.patterson(a)velocitycoop.org> >> Date: Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 7:19 AM >> Subject: Bike!Bike! FB Site >> To: Sheba Farrin <sheba.farrin(a)velocitycoop.org> >> >> >> I am such a FB neophyte... I can't see how to "join" or "like" this >> group as VeloCity... Can you give it a go? >> >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/251742101526928/ >> >> Thanks! >> >> Best, John >> ___________________________ >> John Patterson | Director | VéloCity Bicycle Co-op | 2111 Mt. Vernon >> Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301 | velocitycoop.org | +1 703-835-0699 | >> Mobile: +1 703-608-3660 >> >> >> >> >> > > >

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Income Verification for EAB
by corvallisbikes 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

Not personally a fan of income verification because it creates an us & them atmosphere. We all pull together and everybody gives a little more than she gets. We only give bikes or parts as incentives for volunteering, without means testing. That said, I think the standard most charities use around here is food stamps. If you qualify for them, you qualify for all sorts of freebies, but not enough to actually live comfortably. -Vernon *Corvallis Bicycle Collective* www.CorvallisBikes.org <http://www.corvallisbikes.org/> Twitter @cvoBikes <http://twitter.com/cvobikes> *Hours & Directions to Our Shop <http://www.corvallisbikes.org/findUs>* *(541) 224-6885* On Wed, Apr 17, 2013 at 8:56 AM, director <director(a)communitycycles.org>wrote: > Hey All, > So we've received a federal grant for our EAB program. As part of this > we're required to income verify participants. Are any of you doing income > verification for any of your programs? If so do you have best practices? > Pitfalls to look out for? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > Ride On! > > -- > -- > Rich Points > http://communitycycles.org > Executive Director > (c)303-589-0597 > (w)720-565-6019 > >

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Income Verification for EAB
by director 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

Hey All, So we've received a federal grant for our EAB program. As part of this we're required to income verify participants. Are any of you doing income verification for any of your programs? If so do you have best practices? Pitfalls to look out for? Any advice is appreciated. 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

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Opportunity for Free Planet Bike Gear!
by Mike Samuelson 16 Apr '13

16 Apr '13

Hi Think Tank, *The Alliance for Biking & Walking is happy to announce that we are again partnering with Planet Bike to donate Planet Bike merchandise to community bike shops across the continent. Woo hoo! * Planet Bike has more than $5,000 worth of refurbished merchandise that they need to clear to make room in their warehouse. With their commitment to advocacy, Planet Bike is excited to offer these refurbished products free of charge to up to ten community bike shops who are Alliance members and have earn-a-bike programs for youth. Attached is the catalog of gear available through this offer. Per Planet Bike’s request, to be eligible to receive a donation, your organization must: - Have an earn-a-bike program that includes a robust youth contingent *or * is exclusively youth focused; - Have an up to date website; - Submit a brief description of your youth earn-a-bike program; - Commit to pass these items on free of charge to kids (18 years or younger) who are active in your program (except pumps, which may be kept in the shop for communal use); and - Be a member of the Alliance for Biking & Walking. Merchandise will be available to just 10 shops, so that each shop receives a meaningful amount of product. Shops that did not receive product during last fall’s round of donations will be given preference, although all shops that meet the above criteria are eligible. *If you are interested, please complete the attached Customer Information Sheet and order form (by filling in the "Quantity Requested" column) and email these forms back to me by Monday, April 22nd. *In addition, please include a brief description of your earn-a-bike program and acknowledge that you will give away donated product that you receive from Planet Bike through this offer. * * I’m happy to answer any questions. Best, Mike -- Mike Samuelson *Member Services and Open Streets Coordinator* *Alliance for Biking & Walking* * * Phone: (202) 449-9692 x7 email: Mike(a)PeoplePoweredMovement.org 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!* * *

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Cyclocamp Rome 24th May - 2nd June
by Ciclofficine popolari Roma 16 Apr '13

16 Apr '13

CITIES ARE NOT FOR CARS! We are glad to invite you to a Cyclocamp, a Forum of bike recycling and community workshops and the 10th Interplanetary Critical Mass (Ciemmona), which will take place in Rome, May 24th – June 2nd 2013 Rome is a city where mobility is exclusively thought for cars. Few bicycles, little public transport, and lack of perception of the streets as a common good. Public spaces in Rome are seen and used as parking lots, while everything that doesn’t move in a car represents an obstacle. Thanks to this adverse horizon, the daily use of a bicycle in Rome brings along an intrinsic subversive status. Biking fast in between tons of slow and smelly scrap metal naturally leads us to imagine a more equal, just and car-free future. Seen from a bike saddle, cars in our city seems like animals of a remote past. Thus, in 2002, Critical Mass was born in Rome followed by people’s Bike Kitchens. As soon as these two paths crossed, without any help from the State or the Municipality, the bicycles had exponentially multiplied and the urban biker appeared in the roman metropolitan landscape. After ten years of wrenches and ideas, we would like to reflect about the meaning and the evolution of today’s Bike Kitchens and Bike Communities, the sense of the reappropriation of the common spaces and the importance of the knowledge exchange. We feel the need to think about our bike riding direction and about the meaning of our mechanical skills. Starting from these questions we decided to share these thoughts with others Bike Kitchens which have similar experiences and horizons, even though belonging to dissimilar metropolitan environments. Places where, for example, biking is already part of the means of transport and it’s regulated by laws and standard normative, or places in which Bike Kitchens are sponsored by public or private entities, or can be organized as non-profit entities. For all these reasons we thought to create a gathering between the Bike Kitchens and Critical Mass which will take place the preceding week to the 10th Ciemmona (May 29th, 30th, 31st). Therefore we decided to host a Cyclocamp and a Bike Kitchen Forum, not only for greasing ourselves from head to feet but also for sharing thoughts, ideas, practices and knowledge. We are convinced that putting together all these Bike Kitchens, in their similarities and mainly differences, we will be able to bring a renewed conscience in our global thinking and local acting. In order to promote this discussion we thought that could be useful to concentrate it in the three first days before the Ciemmona (29th , 30th, 31st of May) in which will take place the Forum. We will pleased to see you partecipate from the 24th of May to the 2nd of June in a series of events: Cyclocamp, Forum of bike recycling and community workshops and the 10th interplanetary Ciemmona. For all the participants, the garden of the CSOA eXSnia will be available for your camping tents, your skills, your ideas, etc. The camp site is totally free and you have to collaborate in its organization and management. We are strictly anti-fascist, anti-sexist and anti-racist. Please do not join us if you do not recognize yourself in these fundamental values. Roman people’s Bike Kitchen Network The Cyclocamp: http://ciclofficinepopolari.it/en/iniziative/2013/cyclocamp-roma/ , http://cyclocamp.org The Forum: http://ciclofficinepopolari.it/en/iniziative/2013/forum-delle-ciclofficine/ The 10th Interplanetary Critical Mass (Ciemmona): http://ciemmona.org/en The location: http://exsnia.it/ciclofficina Please send a confirmation email to: info(a)ciclofficinepopolari.it Book a space for your tent sending an email to: accommodation(a)ciemmona.org Do you need a bike? We’ll do what we can! Write to: accomodation(a)ciemmona.org -- -------------------------------------------------------- www.ciclofficinepopolari.it orari e indirizzi http://www.ciclofficinepopolari.it/ciclofficine.html

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List of mailing addresses for community bike projects
by Ryan Peterson 16 Apr '13

16 Apr '13

Hey thinktank, We'll be sending out invitations to this year's BikeBike within the next month or so, but before we do, I'd like to make sure we have as many correct mailing addresses as possible. I've attached the mailing list, and I'd love it if people could look through it and email me (ryan(a)bikeproject.org) with any corrections and/or additions to the list. Thanks!

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Book: Defying Poverty with Bicycles
by Matthew VanSlyke 13 Apr '13

13 Apr '13

ThinkTank: Has anyone read this book? I did stumble upon Bike Portland's 2/8 blog post<http://bikeportland.org/2013/02/08/new-book-defying-poverty-with-bicycles-8…>which gave an excellent review. http://www.onestreet.org/bicycle-programs/70-one-street-press

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Fwd: Fwd: The ULTIMATE program handbook!
by Angel York 12 Apr '13

12 Apr '13

Forwarded in case anyone else was still interested. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- I have nothing down on paper. We take advantage of school playground markers to do a couple of fun things, though. A series of parallel lines we use for the slow race. The idea is to have each bicyclist take a lane, everyone starts on "go" and the last person to go over the end line is the winner. This is for demonstrating basic bike control. We use adjacent double circles on playgrounds and connect them for a figure-8 right of way activity. Connect the double circles with chalk to make a figure 8 with no lines in the x marking the center of the 8. Start with one bicyclist at the top and bottom of the 8, and they ride toward the center, communicating with each other on who goes first if they reach the x at the same time. The activity can be use for that and for teaching bike control and the "ghost rider" between each bicycle if you add more bicyclists. I'm assuming you already have the Oregon Bicycle Transportation Alliance's Safe Routes for Kids, a Bicycle Safety Program Curriculum, which has detailed instructions for teaching kids ~ 5th-6th grade age. It has some very good activities and lessons. Christal ------------------------------ *From:* Angel York <aniola(a)gmail.com> *To:* Got any educational (ie bike rodeo) handouts you could share with this person? ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear" <chauncey(a)ptrecyclery.org> Date: Mar 30, 2013 10:23 AM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Help: The ULTIMATE program handbook! To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Hey You guys, Awesome Resources! Thank you! Does anyone have a handbook/info for EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING? I'm really interested in any documents related to running bike rodeos, outreach clinics, bike camps, bike tours, etc. I'm also interested in any games/activities related to teaching people/kids about bike safety and bike love. For instance, have you ever played bicycle musical chairs? Stuff like that... On Fri, Mar 29, 2013 at 8:34 AM, director <director(a)communitycycles.org>wrote: Here is the Community Cycles volunteer handbook. It's also posted on the Wiki https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FcdJ9X7U3aLYS3o0SRoWylkLtrAhB3zFz04Ryqp… On Fri, Mar 29, 2013 at 9:30 AM, Jon Sher <jonathansher(a)charter.net> wrote: It won't open Sent from my iPad On Mar 29, 2013, at 11:26 AM, Paul Nagel <paul(a)thebicycletree.org> wrote: Here's our new volunteer handbook: http://www.thebicycletree.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/VolunteerHandbook1… -Paul The Bicycle Tree P.O. Box 11293 Santa Ana, CA 92711 http://www.thebicycletree.org info(a)thebicycletree.org ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:15:02 -0400 From: breathingplanet(a)gmail.com To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Help: The ULTIMATE program handbook! here's something related that we are just beginning to use! http://troybikerescue.org/files/OrientationZine.pdf On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 8:23 PM, Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear < chauncey(a)ptrecyclery.org> wrote: Hey there friendly people, I am in the process of putting together an internal program handbook that will provide any new instructors an outline/understanding of our programs. I'm looking for #1. Your general feedback of the table of contents #2. A copy of your organization's similar handbook #3. A list of additional fun games/activities that you think should be in this handbook. I'm looking to pack a dozen or so descriptions/illustrations of games and activities that instructors can use to teach classes. For instance, a bike scavenger hunt where you hide different bike/tools parts in a given area and they have to fine each one and do a certain task before they can move on to the next activity. Below is the table of contents-- * The ReCyclery Ultimate Program Handbook Table of contents-- 1. Overall mission and vision of The ReCyclery. 2. How programs serve our mission and vision. Program Values-- fun, safety, experiential, environmental stewardship, riding skills, 3. Program delivery philosophy (What is the ReCyclery way to teach cycling education? What is our method?) -Direct participation -fun games/activities that involve/use skills being taught 4. List of types of educational programs (safety and riding skills) and HOW TO DO IT! (Lesson Plans, activities, games, instructions, safety considerations) -2 hour workshops/classes -Day long classes -3-5 day long camp sessions (3-5 hours) -2-4 day bike trips -Series classes -unicycle -womens bike night -welding -DIY panniers class 5. Tricks of the trade for Instructors (other ideas, games, ropes course activities etc.) 6. Setting up and running programs (marketing, insurance, recruiting participants, registration, etc.)* * * * * -- Sincerely, Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear (Executive Director) The ReCyclery 1925 Blaine St. STE #500 Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-643-0734 (personal cell) www.ptrecyclery.org "Health and Sustainability through Bicycles" _______________________________________________ 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.… -- ------__o ----_`\<,_ ---(_)/ (_) andrew lynn 518-573-7947 _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… -- -- 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.… -- Sincerely, Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear (Executive Director) The ReCyclery 1925 Blaine St. STE #500 Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-643-0734 (personal cell) 360-643-1755 (shop) www.ptrecyclery.org "Health and Sustainability through Bicycles" _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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Re: [TheThinkTank] traffic light timing
by Vernon Huffman 07 Apr '13

07 Apr '13

I understand that Corvallis (Cycle City), OR, has recently agreed to slow the downtown grid of lights to 10 mph to accommodate bicycles. They're also considering a plan to incrementally increase car parking rates, to encourage more cycling. We already have the largest ride share in the USA. There is so much more we could do, but you've got to fight the asphalt lobby every step of the way. ________________________________ From: Ryan Kragerud Hey CA Think Tank members, What's the deal with LA's light project? I just heard on Nat'l Public Radio, LA's traffic lights have been synced and the happiest road users are cyclists. The traffic person from Santa Monica's public radio station reported the story. Anyone know what speed the lights are set at, and how it's actually working? Thanks Ryan Kragerud, Bicycle Longmont From: Vincenzo loco I don't think it's set for a specific speed necessarily, I will ask some traffic engineers I know here.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] traffic light timing
by summitcyclingcenter＠yahoo.com 07 Apr '13

07 Apr '13

So true, Mark! Sent from my HTC EVO Design™ 4G from Boost Mobile ----- Reply message ----- From: "Mark Rehder" <mark(a)re-cycles.ca> To: "Vernon Huffman" <vernonhuffman(a)yahoo.com>, "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: [TheThinkTank] traffic light timing Date: Sun, Apr 7, 2013 12:14 On 2013-04-06, at 10:52 PM, Vernon Huffman wrote: (snip)There is so much more we could do, but you've got to fight the asphalt lobby every step of the way. The above made me chuckle - not because I disagree, but because I won't let cars think they are the reason for paved roads. We cyclists were the original "asphalt lobby": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Roads_Movement Mark

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Help: The ULTIMATE program handbook!
by Vernon Huffman 07 Apr '13

07 Apr '13

Bike Rodeo Set up an obstacle course with road cones requiring relatively sharp cornering. A small up and down ramp adds some challenge. Have a competent cyclist check it to be sure its challenging, but not impossible. The goal is to ride through the course slowly. If you go too quickly you must start over. At some point in the course, each rider is to look over the left shoulder and tell how many fingers the person behind them is holding up. It's a good idea to let riders try the course before being tested. Any who fail should be encouraged to try again after receiving pointers from those who succeed. Each rider who completes the course should receive a certificate or some kind of recognition. ________________________________ From: "thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org" (Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear) Hey You guys, Awesome Resources! Thank you! Does anyone have a handbook/info for EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING? I'm really interested in any documents related to running bike rodeos, outreach clinics, bike camps, bike tours, etc. I'm also interested in any games/activities related to teaching people/kids about bike safety and bike love. For instance, have you ever played bicycle musical chairs? Stuff like that...

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Research Assistance Request - Bikecollectives.org Think Tank
by J Stewart 06 Apr '13

06 Apr '13

Hello Think Tank - I am doing research on the use of bicycles, collectives, and group rides this semester at Tulane in New Orleans, the site of Bike!Bike! X. To complete my project I am collecting information from websites and email requests. Some of you may have seen my message previously, sent from jstewar6(a)tulane.edu. I am aiming to create a geographic analysis map or two, not dissimilar to yours on Google, that also includes the date of the founding of the organization. I plan to use this location and date information for an analysis of the progression of US collective bicycle organizations with other spatial data. The information on bicycle collectives provided on your website is pretty extensive. It has been suggested among the responses I have already received that you guys have a fairly current dataset and that it might be updated to included founding date of the organizations. Then, this might be shared with me for my use in this project. I am writing to explore that option with you. Having put some effort into creating this and other data sets, I acknowledge that the data has some value. Perhaps we could negotiate a partnership. If you have some interest in the final analysis, I would be happy to share this, provided you would be willing to permit me to use the product of the data for my own presentations and products as a student as well. Sincerely, Jordan Jordan Stewart Architect, LEED AP Urban Studies Pre-Doctoral Fellow City, Culture, and Community Tulane University http://tulane.edu/ccc/ jstewar6(a)tulane.edu C: 415-297-0941 Also news.jstewart(a)gmail.com.

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Thank you!
by America Recycled 06 Apr '13

06 Apr '13

We have reached our fundraising goal!! Thank you to everybody who donated and spread the project around. The outpouring of support we've received in the last couple of months has been such a surprise, and not only will we be able to focus on bringing you this film now, but we've also seen how many of you out there really care about what we're doing. The morale boost is just as valuable as the cash. As many of you know, the USA Projects web site has been experiencing crippling technical difficulties this last week, at the worst possible time for our project. Many donations were not processed. They finally fixed it yesterday, and have given us an extension until Friday so that everybody who wants to contribute is able to. If you donated last week, make sure it went through on your credit card. If it did not, then try again-it should all be working now. This is great news. We have reached our goal, but we can continue to accept donations to get closer to fully budgeting the film. All funds will go toward making this movie live up to our vision in every way possible. So this should be the last time we bug you about this fundraising campaign. We have six days left to bring this to the next level. Keep spreading the word! noah and tim

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How to Teach "Hands-off"
by Geoff Heath 02 Apr '13

02 Apr '13

I think I put this request out 6 months ago but I figure I'll try again; Anyone have notes from the Bikebike 2010 workshop "how to teach hands off"? I'm making a document on teaching in the bike shop and would love to know what happened in said workshop. Thanks! -- *Geoff Heath*, Mechanical Director The Winnipeg Repair Education N' Cycling Hub 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 www.TheWrench.ca

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Revenue Statistics spreadsheet
by Matt VanSlyke 01 Apr '13

01 Apr '13

For those of you attending the Alliance conference call this afternoon, I wanted to remind you that there is a spreadsheet on the WiKi that details financial and revenue info for those shops that added theirs (thank you!). It is on the 'Organizational Models' page and the direct link is http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Revenue_Statistics Anyone can view the spreadsheet and also should be able to enter data. But if you have trouble with access send a request for permission. Matt VanSlyke

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Fwd: Fwd: The ULTIMATE program handbook!
by Angel York 01 Apr '13

01 Apr '13

---------- Forwarded message ---------- I have nothing down on paper. We take advantage of school playground markers to do a couple of fun things, though. A series of parallel lines we use for the slow race. The idea is to have each bicyclist take a lane, everyone starts on "go" and the last person to go over the end line is the winner. This is for demonstrating basic bike control. We use adjacent double circles on playgrounds and connect them for a figure-8 right of way activity. Connect the double circles with chalk to make a figure 8 with no lines in the x marking the center of the 8. Start with one bicyclist at the top and bottom of the 8, and they ride toward the center, communicating with each other on who goes first if they reach the x at the same time. The activity can be use for that and for teaching bike control and the "ghost rider" between each bicycle if you add more bicyclists. I'm assuming you already have the Oregon Bicycle Transportation Alliance's Safe Routes for Kids, a Bicycle Safety Program Curriculum, which has detailed instructions for teaching kids ~ 5th-6th grade age. It has some very good activities and lessons. Christal

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America Recycled needs your help
by America Recycled 01 Apr '13

01 Apr '13

Hey there, We're in the final week of our fundraising campaign to produce a feature-length film about our two-year bicycle journey through radical subcultures of the American South, and we're just over 80% of the way to our goal. Thank you to the 87 supporters who have so far contributed to this project. By financing this project directly through our audience, we're able to retain complete creative control and bring you the story as we actually see it, rather than bow to the agenda of a studio or sponsor. Watch the trailer and support us here: http://www.usaprojects.org/project/america_recycled These last six days will be the most crucial ones, since if we don't reach our goal the project receives no funding at all. This depends on every person who believes in America Recycled. Since we are recipients of the USA Creative Vision Award, all donations are doubled, and contributors are awarded accordingly. A donation of $25=$50 and gets you a digital copy of the film upon completion AND a beautiful photo print from the project. Of course higher donations receive other fancy things, and all donations are tax deductible. If everybody who watched one of our videos gave us just a dollar, the entire budget of this movie would be raised and we'd have seed money for the next one. Take a minute to think about what you spend money on throughout your day from a coffee or beer to a movie or concert, and consider how much this project is worth to you. The arts do not fit so neatly into the money economy, so it's up to you to decide how much importance to give them. If you're unable to donate or already have, reach deep into the back of your mind to think of other people in your life who would be inspired by America Recycled. Choose two or three of them and write them a personal email with a link to the trailer and fundraiser. Thanks so much for your support over the last two years. We've poured our entire selves into this project, and it's going to show in the feature-length film. We can't wait to bring it to you. And in celebration of April 1, we have launched a new business in case this doesn't pan out. With the housing market still in a state of uncertainty, we've broken into the igloo racket. Have a look at our new business here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwMrz4m499E -Tim and Noah

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Online Collaboration Tool
by Jesse Doud 01 Apr '13

01 Apr '13

Hi everyone! During a bike tour of New Zealand over the past three months, I visited the collectives and kept hearing about this tool called Loomio. Now I've settled in Wellington and started working with the team building the software. Loomio.org started when members of the occupy wellington movement found that some individual voices were drowning out others in general assembly meetings and started making a free online tool that would promote equity and direct democracy in decision making amongst groups. A year later and they have 3000 groups signed up from all over the world, most recently Wellington city council. The feedback we're getting is that it reduces the amount of emailing to come to decisions. I think that could be a helpful tool for bike collectives, not as a replacement to meetings, but as an additional consensus building resource for the in-between, internety times. Here's the website: https://www.loomio.org/ Here's a demo of how the tool works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIEyNNcXbZA Anywho, I'm obvs really jazzed to be on the loomio team, just wanted to put it out there amongst you fine folks! Cheers, Jesse

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Help: The ULTIMATE program handbook!
by Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Hey there friendly people, I am in the process of putting together an internal program handbook that will provide any new instructors an outline/understanding of our programs. I'm looking for #1. Your general feedback of the table of contents #2. A copy of your organization's similar handbook #3. A list of additional fun games/activities that you think should be in this handbook. I'm looking to pack a dozen or so descriptions/illustrations of games and activities that instructors can use to teach classes. For instance, a bike scavenger hunt where you hide different bike/tools parts in a given area and they have to fine each one and do a certain task before they can move on to the next activity. Below is the table of contents-- * The ReCyclery Ultimate Program Handbook Table of contents-- 1. Overall mission and vision of The ReCyclery. 2. How programs serve our mission and vision. Program Values-- fun, safety, experiential, environmental stewardship, riding skills, 3. Program delivery philosophy (What is the ReCyclery way to teach cycling education? What is our method?) -Direct participation -fun games/activities that involve/use skills being taught 4. List of types of educational programs (safety and riding skills) and HOW TO DO IT! (Lesson Plans, activities, games, instructions, safety considerations) -2 hour workshops/classes -Day long classes -3-5 day long camp sessions (3-5 hours) -2-4 day bike trips -Series classes -unicycle -womens bike night -welding -DIY panniers class 5. Tricks of the trade for Instructors (other ideas, games, ropes course activities etc.) 6. Setting up and running programs (marketing, insurance, recruiting participants, registration, etc.)* * * * * -- Sincerely, Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear (Executive Director) The ReCyclery 1925 Blaine St. STE #500 Port Townsend, WA 98368 360-643-0734 (personal cell) www.ptrecyclery.org "Health and Sustainability through Bicycles"

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Policy on Profiteering from Community Bike Shops
by Vernon Huffman 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

This is the proposed policy we are now considering in Corvallis, Oregon. Pricing/Sorting Policy Only Shop Managers may set prices on bicycles and bicycles parts and decide whether bicycles should be stripped, recycled, or repaired. Discrepancies between Shop Managers' pricing and pricing techniques are expected. Shop Managers must use their best judgment, be impartial, and avoid making decisions where they may have a conflict of interest. We believe that bicycles are valuable and prices should be set which respect that value. We do not want collectors scooping up deals to quickly flip and resell. We are not a thrift store and we are not out to undercut the prices and profitability of the bike shops. They are among our best allies. We want people to come out and use our shop to build the bike they'll want to ride every day. We want to empower people to apply whatever they have toward obtaining a bicycle that fits well and works reliably. General Rules/Practices for determining prices: * Parts Pricing Chart * Range on used items; shop managers may use their discretion to go outside range * Fixed prices on resale of new items which shop managers may not deviate from * Free parts if the bike was bought from us and works on it in the shop * Limited to individual usedparts worth less than $20 * Excludes “as is” bikes * High-quality parts * Special, particularly high-quality or rare parts should be individually tagged with a price. * We don’t hide parts from the public, but special parts may be designated for a specific bicycle when appropriate. * Adjusting Prices * Any Shop Manager can raise or lower the price of any bike or part below $200. * The price on any bike or part above $200 prices can only be lowered by consensus of two shop managers * Shop managers may not purposefully over-value a bicycle to save it or because they are attached. INCENTIVE POLICY In order to promote its mission of increasing bicycle ridership in the Corvallis area and to encourage and reward its volunteers for their efforts, the Corvallis Bicycle Collective offers the following program for its volunteers: Any volunteer who has finished building, repairing, or overhauling two working bicycles for the Collective may take and keep the bicycle of lessor value or a different bicycle of equal value. The Collective, may permit a volunteer to offer the equivalent effort of shop volunteer duties in lieu of rebuilding one or both bicycles. No volunteer may take more than one bike per year under this program, nor any bike valued in excess of $300. The Collective, may offer free, used replacement parts to continuing volunteers as may be required for the operation of a bicycle owned by the volunteer. Anybody who buys a bike or receives an incentive bike, other than one marked “as is” from the CBC may add or replace any parts or accessories worth less than $20 each to that bike in our shop at no additional cost. This is to give incentive for people to do the work in our shop. As a learning shop, we all benefit from others working there. If you know what you're doing, we want to watch. If you don't, we want to hear your questions.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Policy on Profiteering from Community Bike Shops
by troy neiman 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

We have had this problem over the years also. We have developed a 1 bike a year policy to try to avoid this with occasional exceptions for stolen bikes, etc. We also have a max on our work trade credit that people can earn of $160. We figure that people can get a good, quality bike for that kind of money but they cant work off the full price of really fancy bikes that we need to sell to help pay our overhead. We dont really have a limit on how much parts people can work for. We have such a high demand for our Work Trade program that we try to get everyone that needs a bike or a repair the opportunity to do so but if people seem to be abusing that then we will give others the priority for work credit over the abuser. We do also sell used parts on the super cheap. We have had minimal problems with this over the years. We have a few people that fix up bikes on the side and come to us to buy parts and bikes. The problem with this is that they often scoff at our already super low prices because they are wanting to make a profit which is not our problem. I will often times give people working on their bikes a much better deal than these guys that are repairing for profit but if they are willing to pay for the parts then we dont really care what they do with it. The other problem is these garage repair guys will come in and try to buy all of our best parts for rock bottom prices. For example, our kickstands are $1 but this guy would come in and buy all 10 of our long aluminum kickstands and then we have only crappy steel and too short kickstands for people that live on their bikes with all their gear and need a good kickstand. So now its sort of a one kickstand, 2 tires, etc at a time and nicer parts and better condition cost more (steel kickstands+$1, Alum=$3). Seems to work pretty well because its still a great deal for people that need to fix their bikes and we get a little more cash flow from these guys even if we have to listen to them whine about the prices. Then there is the ebay crowd which probably made a lot of money off of us for years but now we either sell it in the shop for a still cheap but more fair market value price or we will sell some vintage campy whatever on ebay ourselves and have more cash flow for our programs. ----- Original Message ----- From: Edward Kirkwood Sent: 03/25/13 07:51 AM To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] Policy on Profiteering from Community Bike Shops I am curious if any of you have had problems with folks using community bike shops to run their own repair business? We currently have some folks who are abusing the privilege of purchasing parts with sweat equity volunteer time and then selling those parts to folks outside the shop. How does your shop police that? Allen Kirkwood

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Volunteer perks and parts
by troy neiman 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Hey all, We are looking into providing discounts on new parts (special order opportunitys) for our long term volunteers. Does anyone else provide this? If so, how does that work for you? How do you track the hours and the volunteers that are able to have this perk? Have you had any problems or people taking advantage of this? What other kinds of perks do folks provide to volunteers? Different levels of volunteering get different perks? Thanks, Troy Neiman BICAS Tucson

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