- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Google Checkout for Non-Profits -- No longer free...
by Jonathan Morrison 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/checkout-merchants/thread?tid=16c94c4… Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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Surprise Minneapolis
by Daniel Kim 27 Dec '08

27 Dec '08

Hey this is Daniel from the Bike Kitchen, San Francisco. Currently traveling through the midwest and happened to find myself in Minneapolis this morning. So, I have a place to stay with some friends, but I would love to check out The Grease Pit, our happy hosts for '09 B!B! If any of you from the Grease Pit happen to get this, drop me a line. @ 404.403.6659 I'm going to try and adventure out into the city and find it myself, but it would be cool to connect with someone as well. Also, I'm trying to travel west to Fargo, ND so I can visit the Fargo/Moorhead Bicycle Community Workshop and my friends from B!B! that work there. So, if anybody has a connection for a rideshare that direction let me know. Ciao Daniel

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bikebike southeast tentative schedule
by rachael spiewak 23 Dec '08

23 Dec '08

Hi, friends! We've been working on scheduling workshops for Bike!Bike! Southeast, and here<http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pxiG5--r6mve435CdtKVrZg&hl=en#>is what we've got so far. It's not all confirmed, but it's mostly there. So if you're on the fence about coming, I hope you find this inspiring! -rachael -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat & Sun 2 pm - 6 pm

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UPDATED: IRS 501(c)(3) final determination
by Jonathan Morrison 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

If you have not yet received your IRS 501(c)(3) final determination and are still in the advance ruling period. ------------------------------------------ IRS Simplifies Advance Ruling Process for Public Charity Status of Section 501(c)(3) Nonprofits http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=184578,00.html Send to friendPrinter-friendly version On September 9, 2008, the IRS issued temporary Income Tax Regulations that simplify the process for nonprofits to secure tax-exempt status, by eliminating the advance ruling process for a section 501(c)(3) organization's status as a public charity and not a private foundation. What does this mean? Basically, this will not affect many nonprofits – but for those that it does affect, it is good news because it simplifies things. Under prior law, when an organization applied to the IRS for recognition as a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3), the IRS would issue an "advance ruling," good for five years, that essentially granted the organization the equivalent of a "probationary status" to allow it to prove it could meet the public support test. Under the old system, at the end of the five years, the organization had to fill out yet another form pulling together certain information from past 990s to show it had enough public support. That step of an additional form is now eliminated. Effective immediately under the new regulations, the IRS will automatically classify a new 501(c)(3) organization as a public charity for its first five years if it can show in its application that it can reasonably be expected to be publicly supported. The nonprofit then files its 990 or 990-EZ each year as required. No extra forms are involved. How does this affect a nonprofit that has already received its final "definitive" tax-exempt determination letter? Not at all. If a nonprofit already has its final IRS determination letter, that determination letter controls. This change in the process does not affect the organization at all. As has been the practice, the IRS monitors the organization's public charity status using the public support information reported annually on the Schedule A of its Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. The public support test is based on a five year computation period that consists of the current year and the four years immediately preceding the current year. Special Note: Notwithstanding the change in the ruling process, an organization still could lose its public charity status if it cannot pass the public support test for two consecutive years. If the organization cannot meet the public support test for two consecutive years, it will be reclassified as a private foundation as of the start of the second consecutive year. To avoid unexpectedly losing the public charity classification, a nonprofit should keep careful track of its public support information throughout the year instead of waiting until the end of the tax year when it is preparing Schedule A. For more information about record-keeping, see Publication 4221-PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3)Public Charities. How does this affect a nonprofit that is still in the five year window under the old process? The new rules affect only organizations whose advance ruling periods have not yet expired or that expired on or after June 9, 2008 and before September 9. An organization "in process" will automatically be classified as a public charity for its first five years of existence regardless of the support actually received. It will no longer need to file Form 8734 with the IRS at the end of its advance ruling period. It must file annual returns, and beginning with its sixth taxable year and all succeeding years, it must meet the public support test as shown on the revised Schedule A of Form 990. The advance ruling determination letter that the organization received when it applied to the IRS for a tax exemption is now considered by the IRS to be the nonprofit's final determination letter. The organization and its donors may rely on that letter with respect to the organization's public charity classification unless the organization no longer meets the public support test and the IRS changes that status and sends a notice of the change. How does this affect a nonprofit in the process of seeking its tax exemption from the IRS? The new rules will apply to all organizations with applications pending before the IRS regardless of when the organization submitted the Form 1023 application. You do not need to submit a new application form. The IRS will automatically apply the new procedures to the pending application. For more information, visit the IRS website and their Frequently Asked Questions resource.

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Article: Bush to help open national parks to mountain bikes.
by Jonathan Morrison 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/14/mtnbiking/ Washington D.C. — (AP) - The Bush administration plans to make it easier for mountain bikers to gain access to national parks and other public lands before the president - an avid cyclist himself - leaves office. The National Park Service confirmed Tuesday that it is preparing a rule that will allow decisions about some mountain bike trails to be made by park managers instead of federal regulators in Washington, a process that can take years. A park service spokesman said the rule would be proposed no later than Nov. 15 so it could be final before Bush leaves office. If adopted, the proposal would likely result in more mountain biking opportunities on public lands. Currently, the Park Service has to adopt a special regulation to open up trails to mountain bikes, which requires the public to be formally notified. The same process is required for all-terrain vehicles and other motorized recreation on park lands. "We are trying to give superintendents a little bit of latitude especially for non-controversial proposals for bicycling in parks," said Jeffrey Olson, a spokesman for the service. "We are responding to public demand." Environmental advocate Jeff Ruch called the rule a lame-duck gift for the mountain biking lobby from the "Mountain-Biker-in-Chief," referring to Bush. Ruch, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said the proposal would open up backcountry trails to mountain bikers. Mountain bikers are blamed for erosion of trails and trampling native plants. They also disturb other park users, such as hikers, birders and horseback riders. During his tenure as president, Bush has embraced mountain biking as a low-impact alternative to running, which is hard on his knees. The president - who has a blue and white Trek bicycle dubbed Mountain Bike One - often rides on his ranch in Crawford, Tex. and in the Washington, D.C. area. He also has received several mountain bikes from companies like Cannondale and Trek. The International Mountain Biking Association, which is supported by some of the same companies that gave Bush bikes, said Tuesday it didn't believe the timing of the rule had anything to do with the president's penchant for pedaling. "It is extraneous to this (rule) that the president has interest in mountain biking. I don't think that has been an influencer in this case," said Mark Eller, communications director for the group, which has been lobbying to change the rules since the early 1990s. About 30 properties managed by the National Park Service include trails approved for mountain bikes now, he said. A calendar for Lyle Laverty, the Interior Department's Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks also shows that the mountain bike rule is one the administration's remaining priorities. In April 2006, after a 65-minute ride through Napa County wine country on Earth Day, the president told an AP reporter: "We're able to enjoy the beauty without really disrupting pristine nature of the place. It's a classic way for mankind to enjoy God's gift."

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Fwd: Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12
by Jonathan Morrison 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

I can't recommend going to this enough... Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: IMBA <info(a)imba.com> Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 9:01 AM Subject: Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12 To: jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=vCb4u7c4nSdj0rFXe61c2w..> [image: News] <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=v9e09yM5eClrEDe3Qn8JMw..> * Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12* For Immediate Release 12-18-08 Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst 303-545-9011 drew(a)imba.com Join IMBA and an expected 600 bicycle advocates at the 2009 National Bike Summit <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=8-1TI199nwH2blP9OM-mfw..>, March 10-12, in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, the Summit provides a unique opportunity for mountain bikers to interact with cyclists of all stripes, attend diverse informational sessions and lobby the halls of Congress. IMBA supporters who attend receive discounted registration, a private banquet dinner and tons of great swag. *An Extremely Important Year for the National Bike Summit* The sweeping administrative and congressional changes in D.C. make 2009 an extremely important year. "With so many new members of congress, it's more important than ever to show them the human face of mountain biking and introduce yourself to their staff and your issues," says IMBA Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice. "Mountain bikers have a golden opportunity to protect more land, influence public lands bills, increase funding for trails and lay the foundation for productive working relationships." Attendees will be treated to presentations and panel discussions on many important topics. IMBA is currently finalizing an exceptional line-up of speakers and sessions to cover the following topics: urban trails and jump parks, integrating trails and neighborhoods, small-group land protection training, funding for the National Park Service and integrating singletrack into the Bicycle Friendly Community program. Sign up online <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=geEeYJ9biZ_J3VzVBk9xnQ..> to attend the National Bike Summit. Early bird registration is now open and available through Feb. 5. *Bolster Your Trails by Attending the National Bike Summit* The Summit is the perfect way to build a relationship with your member of congress. U.S. representatives and senators can be very powerful allies when the time comes to develop singletrack destinations. Just ask the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC), who garnered $800,000 for new singletrack north of Minneapolis. "Your congressional office can help you find the right way to go after money for trails. The funding opportunities are there, but you have to go out and get it," says MORC's Tim Wegner. Mike Dulin, of the Kentucky Mountain Biking Association, says, "Last year's Summit was amazing. The combined knowledge of so many fellow cycling advocates is truly inspiring and the meetings on Capitol Hill are a fantastic way to get the ball rolling on new trails projects." Advocates looking to influence public lands protection also benefit from coming to D.C. "We've sent Virginians to the National Bike Summit the past few years and it's undoubtedly helped us become better advocates for mountain biking and protected landscapes in the Jefferson and George Washington national forests," says IMBA Trail Solutions Director Rich Edwards. *Resources to Get the Most Out of the National Bike Summit* IMBA pulls out the stops to make sure mountain bikers make the most of this event. Attendees are encouraged to register early so they can join pre-Summit conference calls and take advantage of IMBA's online resources<http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=PBpee0ekcw8v_DKs-nNZbw..>for comprehensive guidance on a variety of topics, including how to raise money to attend and finding lodging options. Limited scholarship money is available to help offset costs. If you're serious about taking your local singletrack to the next level, make sure the National Bike Summit<http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=K4jM8conqSweyIP8jEUX8w..>is on your schedule. Donate Now <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=kE7NGkjOxCoCll46goo9jQ..> | Shop IMBA Gear <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=ejDlKX01_PHsC1OBBmBHgw..> | Membership <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=4JYrThbgGS6ngQJwhpeN2Q..> More News <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=-62stqeviGfHNYmoRsiZPw..> | Update my IMBA Profile <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=SoLXuw8P37pFigUrjM19ng..> | Unsubscribe<http://go.imba.com/site/CO?i=3xu_eRlg8NySWHGIcl2ZeZvQ2HrDhkPh&cid=1004>

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funding questions
by Liza Mattana 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

Hi, I wanted to redirect Beth's questions that got lost in the bike curriculum thread...thanks in advance. Our nonprofit, Pedals2People, just got its 501c3. As we are trying to develop projects and determine our focus under our new status we thought it would be great to get some insight from all of you that have more experience (been around for a while). Anyone that would like to, please feel free to answer any of the following questions: 1.) What is your main source of funding? 2.) If you have a space, how are you covering your costs? 3.) Do you have paid staff? 4.) Are you financially self-sustaining or grant funded? Thanks for your help! If you have any other suggestions or ideas or questions i forgot that you would like to answer, please do! -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

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Boulder Goes Bike Platinum
by Rich Points 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

Collectives, As you may know the League of American Bicyclists recently awarded Boulder the platinum level for bicycle friendliness. This prompted Clarence Eckerson Jr from Street Films to come out and document our wonderful bike system. http://communitycycles.org/media/24-2008-media/139-december-5-2008-boulder-… And take note that even though we've achieved the platinum level we know we still have a long way to go. In solidarity -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 Donate your old car to Community Cycles

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Bicycle Gift Guide
by R Points 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/12/bicycle_gift_guide.html

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Check out my Facebook profile
by Cycles Apc 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi thethinktank, I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile. Thanks, Cycles To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1594973725&k=53126XS53Y3M5F1CSB2XP4&r

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Check out my Facebook profile
by Cycles Apc 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi thethinktank, I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile. Thanks, Cycles To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1594973725&k=Z6F3Z454PZ2CUC1DR16XUUX&r

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Scrapper Bikes
by Jonathan Morrison 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

A volunteer of ours sent this to me. I just love it! http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94318161 http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2008/12/08/teens-in-oakland-calif-f… http://www.myspace.com/scrapperbikes Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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The Wheelix
by andrew lynn 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

hi thinktank, thought i would share our latest wheel hanging invention, the wheelix: http://flickr.com/photos/breathingplanet/3089068657/in/photostream/ http://flickr.com/photos/breathingplanet/3089068077/in/photostream/ http://flickr.com/photos/breathingplanet/3089071115/ andrew Troy Bike Rescue Troy, NY -- andrew lynn | media worker | troy, ny http://www.breathingplanet.net http://www.troybikerescue.org http://www.mediasanctuary.org http://flickr.com/photos/breathingplanet

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Locking Toolboard
by Clifford McCarten 05 Dec '08

05 Dec '08

Hello, happy bike world -- As things slow down in the winter, out (newish) shop is looking to build some additional work areas in anticipation for the next season. I'm hoping to crowd-source some of the creative genius here... The problem: the tool boards have to be able to be covered & locked up, as a number of other groups use our space (a church basement) for access and storage, often forgetting to lock the door that leads into our bikey dungeon. Bear with me, if you will: we currently have one main workstation, with a 4x8 toolboard (with a 2x4 frame built out around it) covered by a 4x8 hinged plywood sheet that swings up to the ceiling. The sheet has small slots in it that match up with heavy metal U-shaped hooks in the 2x4 frame, which we then lock with our old Yellow Bike locks. This works pretty well, but creates an annoying problem where we can't put anything tall (i.e., a truing stand) on the table in front of the tools because the swinging board won't close. We want to build two additional workstations that: a) will only have a basic allen key / metric wrench set on the board, and will therefore be a lot smaller (a 48"x18" toolboard, perhaps?) c) will preferably be on four legs & not have to screw into a wall for support (i.e., reasonably mobile) and most importantly: d) will have some sort of cheap, simple, and easily opened locking solution to cover the tool board. (I'm think something that would slide maybe?) Ideas? Need clarification? Let me know. Thanks! Clifford McCarten Director, B!ke: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 400 Wolfe St Peterborough, Ontario (705) 745-2103 http://www.communitybikeshop.org

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Owning your space
by Graham 27 Nov '08

27 Nov '08

Are there any groups out there who own their own building or rent a space in a building owned by a closely integrated org. 1. How did you finance it? Traditional bank or credit union, Ethical Fund or similar agency, or private loans/donations. 2. Do you rent space to any other groups to help pay the bills? 3. Who manages the building - the bike collective directly or a seperate committee of people? 4. What conflicts or problems do you think a group thinking of buying a building should look out for?

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Bike Collectives Links Page Update FINAL - Time to post on your sites
by Rich Points 21 Nov '08

21 Nov '08

Hey All, Thanks to everyone who helped me update the bike collectives links page, we now have close to 150 collectives listed in North America. I will update this list again next fall. Until then I'd like to encourage you all to post these links on your sites. This way we can collectively support each others work. Please pass this on to your webmasters. Three ways to post these links on your site 1. Go to http://CommunityCycles.org/links.html, look at the code and copy and paste the links 2. Visit http://CommunityCycles.org/links_html.html and copy the html and paste into your site 3. Subscribe to the RSS feed http://www.communitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_bca-rss-syndicator&feed…, if anyone knows how to get this RSS to render as html on other sites please contact me. Ride On -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 Donate your old car to Community Cycles

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Membership at your community bike shops
by Cycles of Change APC 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Hi everyone, I'm writing from the Cycles of Change APC Bike Shop in Alameda, California (near Oakland, CA). Cycles of Change APC is a *not-for-profit community bicycle shop* which opened in July 2006. It is a collaboration between Cycles of Change, a 10 year old East Bay youth bike education non-profit, and Alameda Point Collaborative (APC), a non-profit which manages housing and services for a 200 unit residential community comprised of 500 formerly homeless adults and families. Our website is: www.apcollaborative.org/cyclesbikes.htm We are thinking about how to generate additional revenue for the shop. Currently we're selling and repairing bikes to bring in revenue. We're also partially supported by grants. One idea that we had was to create a membership program which would enable people to use our community repair shop, get discounts at our shop, and provide discounts to other bike shops in the area as well. I'd especially like to hear from other programs with membership programs you've started. How much does it cost? What does it provide? Does any other group have experience with providing discounts to other shops? How big has your membership grown? How do you promote it? Thank you, Evan Lovett-Harris Cycles of Change APC 510-898-7830 -- Cycles of Change APC All People. All Bikes. One Community.

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Discounts for Co-ops
by GetGern＠gmail.com 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Hello Bike Friends, Does anyone have solid advice on the legality/Restrictions regarding discounts given to member/volunteers? We are a California regestered incorperated Member owned Co-operative, not a Non-Profit(501c3). We want to give a discount, but I heard it may not be legal. I hope that it is illegal referring to 501c3's.

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bikebike workshop past facilitators
by joshua 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hey Y'all. I'm new to this website/wiki but excited to be here! I am currently working with Neighborhood Bike Works in Philadelphia I am specifically searching for anyone who has done a past workshop at bike! bike! to post an outline of their workshop for public use/ reference, basically an online or pdf version of the workshop's goals and/or methods. In addition to this virtual workshop, I was hoping for some sort of exit interview or reflection on how the workshop went, what could have made it better, were your goals accomplished, etc. If you or anyone you know did a workshop at a previous bike! bike! conference can you email me (joshua) at 000joshua(a)gmail.com (or fwd this to someone you know who did a workshop) and we can go from there! Sincerely, Joshua

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Trip to SF... any ideas?!
by Boson Au 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

first of all, apologies if this is annoying. but yeah, I'm going to be visiting SF next week (for work related stuff). I'm planning on going on a short tour down to santa cruz (basically like the one folks did at the end of bikebike...) I was wondering if the route for that tour is avail anywhere and if anyone has any suggestion on hostels/etc. for me to check out @ santa cruz. I really want to check out the church but beyond that I kind of just want an awesome ride that's not on the east coast... is there anywhere cool inbetween? I'm pretty sure I can get to SC in one day. I'm not really trying to camp out but I can regardless. I'm gonna be in SF from this sunday on... thinking of leavin' the following thurs to ride down to santa cruz, coming back saturday. any tips/hints appreciated. -Boson Velocipede Bike Project Baltimore, MD

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reading list/online resources for bike mechanics?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

hey all. while working on putting together a list of websites, online tutorials, books, etc, that are helpful for budding/experienced mechanics, it occurred to me that a lot of people on this list would be helpful in gathering such a list, and could probably benefit from it also. i started a page on the wiki for just such a list, it's located here.<http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Mechanic> please do add to it. thanks! josh. community cycles, boulder

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Bike Collective Links Page Updated - Please verify you site is listed
by Rich Points 11 Nov '08

11 Nov '08

OK, so I heard back from a lot of you with links to you sites. I also added links found here http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/freebike/directory/index.htm as well as links from the Bike Collective Directory. I didn't include groups who don't have a website. After this update there are 144 links to coops and collectives in the US and Canada. Please verify that your coop is listed and if not to let me know. http://communitycycles.org/links.html I'll send out the final html and encourage you all to include this links list on all of your sites. This will show our site visitors we are part of a much larger movement while collectively driving traffic to all of our sites. I'll also set this up as a RSS feed. Peace -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 Donate your old car to Community Cycles

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Bar Mitts - Keeping hands warm in winter
by Rich Points 10 Nov '08

10 Nov '08

Hey All, I saw these at VeloSwap but didn't buy any because I don't ride a road bike. Looks like they'd work well but I wonder what it'd be like to crash with them. http://www.barmitts.com/install.php -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 Donate your old car to Community Cycles

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Bike Church in Davis is being evicted!
by Jason Moore 09 Nov '08

09 Nov '08

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1380958.html We are having some trouble keeping our space on the university and are going to need all the support we can get. For some reason our 4 year old community resource has now been called a nuisance by the university administration. Jason Moore Davis Bike Church

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phoenix az collective!
by nathan leach 08 Nov '08

08 Nov '08

pnoenix is getting something started thanks to the help of everyone at bie saviours!!!! we are just in the begining stages and if anyone has any wise old man or woman advise it would be awesome!

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lease agreements
by allison karow 06 Nov '08

06 Nov '08

hi friends does anyone's shop rent from a private landlord (not the city, a friend or relative, etc.) and have a copy of your lease agreement? we are trying to work one out over at bike saviours (in tempe az) and want to see if there is a standard! thanks allison

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Bike Education/Clinic curriculum?
by Boson Au 03 Nov '08

03 Nov '08

Hi everyone, Boson from Baltimore, MD's Velocipede Bike Project... First of all, @ bike!bike! the education-related workshops were the one that inspired/interested me the most. We got back and the first thing I want to kick-start was our clinic program which had be suspended due to a multitude of reasons... anyways... so we're about to reinstate our bike clinic series (previously we had one person do ALL the teaching and she's about to leave out of town for 3 months so we've decided that we're going to try to have a group of educators rotate classes) and I'm interested in any organizations that hold regular classes... This isn't exactly a youth program but more like a general public thing. We do have a curriculum, but I'm kind of interested in other project's solutions. If any project has their own curriculum set up and want to trade/compare notes that'd be so awesome.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Education/Clinic curriculum?
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 31 Oct '08

31 Oct '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hello, Everyone. I hope you are all doing well, financial meltdown notwithstanding. I'd like to vote for BOTH keeping the education and curriculum thread as part of the list serv AND for having it all together, accessible by wiki. Also, does anyone know how to create productive bike sensitivity trainings for police departments and city governments? I've done a couple with mixed-to-positive results, but changing the culture here in the Motor city area is a ongoing project, and good tips and techniques are always welcome. Has anyone found a way to reach into driver's ed programs to improve their bike-friendliness? Sasha On Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:10:11 -0400 Christina Illarmo <christina(a)bikesnotbombs.org> wrote: >Hello Think Tank, > >It's great to see so many people and organizations across the >country >communicating to make our work stronger and more >meaningful.Greetings to you >all. > >For those who haven't seen it, our Earn-A-Bike Instructor Training >Manual >which we use in our youth programs is available to download off of >our >website. We also sell these for $7 but please feel free to >download the >manual and see if it is useful in your own programming. > >http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/EarnABike > >We also have a youth made bike safety training video about 45 >minutes long >which discusses general bike & helmet fit, bike safety checks, >rules of the >road, bike path etiquette, preparing for a ride, and general tips >(how to >prep for a ride, crossing train tracks, hand signals right and >left >turns...). Please contact me directly if you are interested in >purchasing >this video for $35. All proceeds will go towards supporting our >work at >Bikes Not Bombs. > >peace, >Christina > >-- >Christina Illarmo >Girls' Programming & Bike Safety Coordinator >Bikes Not Bombs >284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 >(617) 522-0222 x102 > >http://www.bikesnotbombs.org -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkjuPsAACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRnPXwCeLpJuZf1V/Q9myR8Oh/4I86TV3iUA oIFmY9eZ+qE4RjR5kdUSL9BoF+HM =zoy3 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Education/Clinic curriculum?
by BovineOaks＠aol.com 31 Oct '08

31 Oct '08

I have written bicycle education material for academic class rooms, youth programs, adult programs, community programs, city government. Each time I try to make the lesson apply to the current lives of the precipitant, but more importantly Make It FUN. After all we do not ride because it sucks, we ride because it is fun. Bicycle Education should be fun too. **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001)

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Tough Times for Non-Profits?
by Jonathan Morrison 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=6123902&page=1 Here are my cliff notes: 1) Rely on volunteers as opposed to employees during the economic crunch, ironically lay offs will increase the volunteer pool. 2) Shift a larger percentage of your non-profit activities to for-profit activities, aka "sell" more bikes as the demand for cheaper transportation increases. 3) Grants are becoming increasingly competitive, so go after them now as opposed to later. 4) Larger organizations [with endowments] may have enough in the bank to ride it out, the smaller ones, like most of us, are going to have more trouble. -- Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Ideal Space for a Workstation?
by dragonfly＠mac.hush.com 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hi, All. Please remember to consider handedness when designing workspaces. It is tough to use spaces designed without awareness that some of us are left handed. Depending on the type of work to be done, this can be more or less of a problem. It tends to be a bigger issue if you are postiioning a lathe or some kinds of metal shop equipment than for a straighforward bike repair set-up. Ideally, though, at least one or two of your workspaces should be comfortable for lefties. (Also, when working with kids, handedness is something to consider along with whether they need glasses or a hearing test when evaluating why they are having trouble learning a physical skill.) Speaking of lefties, that makes me think of politics... I want to wish all the American people out there in bicycleland the best of luck as you vote for your new President and for all the other offices that are in play. Everyone is pulling for the America we love to rise up and kick the stuffing out of the America that scares the pants off us. Good Luck, beloved Americans. Sasha On Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:46:18 -0400 David Kuch <david(a)communitycyclingcenter.org> wrote: >Pretty close. We have work stations with double arm Park stands >that measure >about 11X9. If you add on another foot or two for room to mov e >around, your >125 sqft measurement is about right. Our stations have a workbench >with 21' >depth. Deeper means more clutter and harder to reach the tool >board above. >The tool benches all have standardized layouts. I'm sure you can >make a list >of the tools you most frequently use, and lay them out on a >template that >you can use to mark hooks or hangers for each bench. Where you put >the tools >so that both mechanics can access them with the least extra reach >is up to >you. some will invariably be further from one mechanic than the >other. Good >luck! > >On Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 5:18 PM, Rich Points <rich(a)richpoints.com> >wrote: > >> Hey All, >> Community Cycles is looking into the possibility of getting more >space. >> One of the things we need to figure out for our floor plan is >how much >> space a workstation requires. >> Right now we can have as many as six stands working in a 500sqft >space and >> all the tools are located on one bench. What I envision is >workstations >> that include a stand, bench and a set of basic tools and enough >room for two >> people to work comfortably. I'm guessing that each work station >would be >> 100 - 125sqft? >> >> Has anyone out there thought of what size and tools make a >perfect work >> station? >> >> Thanks >> >> -- >> Rich Points >> Community Cycles Director >> http://CommunityCycles.org <http://communitycycles.org/> >> Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org >> 720-565-6019 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Thethinktank mailing list >> Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org >> To unsubscribe, send a blank email to >> TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org >> To manage your subscription, plase visit: >> >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- >bikecollectives.org >> > > > >-- >David Kuch >Shop Production Manager >Community Cycling Center > >Office >3934 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. >Suite 202 >Portland, OR 97212 >Office: 503 288-8864 >Fax: 503 288-1812 > >Bike Shop >1700 NE Alberta St. >Portland, OR 97211 >Hours: 10 AM-6PM Tues through Sat >Shop: 503 287-8786 > >www.CommunityCyclingCenter.org > >The bicycle is a tool for empowerment and a vehicle for social >change -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Note: This signature can be verified at https://www.hushtools.com/verify Charset: UTF8 Version: Hush 3.0 wkYEARECAAYFAkkF/IMACgkQ5O7ahKJmrRny6wCcD0uTv+pnEbNl18hiowpo7p4dT14A n3ItbeOv7c5RQ2NelQvRHolKUUlL =TOm5 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Ideal Space for a Workstation?
by Rich Points 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

Hey All, Community Cycles is looking into the possibility of getting more space. One of the things we need to figure out for our floor plan is how much space a workstation requires. Right now we can have as many as six stands working in a 500sqft space and all the tools are located on one bench. What I envision is workstations that include a stand, bench and a set of basic tools and enough room for two people to work comfortably. I'm guessing that each work station would be 100 - 125sqft? Has anyone out there thought of what size and tools make a perfect work station? Thanks -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

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Bike Bike '09 = Minneapolis
by tibs＠riseup.net 24 Oct '08

24 Oct '08

This is Tibs from the Grease Pit in Mpls. We got back to Mpls okay (thanks to everyone who snagged a zine or patch to help us out), and the collective consensed to host Bike!Bike! '09 in Minneapolis. I'm not on the Think Tank bulk mail list, but if you want to contact me personally with any questions, suggestions or the like, please feel free.

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Fwd: A Little Help Please!
by bike against 20 Oct '08

20 Oct '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mark H Hendricks <mhendri961(a)gmail.com> Date: Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 10:17 AM Subject: A Little Help Please! To: coordinator(a)fcbikecoop.org Dear Friends: It's time to start a cooperative here in The Quad Cities (border of Iowa and Illinois). Please tell me what I am up against and the pitfalls you might help me avoid. I am 52 and very experienced at helping businesses market and sell. I used to run the largest independent Raleigh distributorship (ancient days) and have over twenty years of winter cylecommuting experience. Any advice you might offer would be greatly appreciated. -- Best Regards Mark H. Hendricks Mhendri961(a)gmail.com 1-309-762-3252 (direct) -- Rafael Cletero Project Coordinator Fort Collins Bicycle Co-op ph (970) 484 38 04 www.fcbikecoop.org

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 26, Issue 48
by Weston Edwards 20 Oct '08

20 Oct '08

Add Us Too!! University of Utah bicycle Collective www.ubike.org Salt Lake City, UT Sincerely, Weston Edwards Director University of Utah Bicycle Collective www.ubike.org

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Bike Collectives Links Pages on our sites - Time to Update
by Rich Points 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

Hey All, So I thought I'd write to the list again and encourage you all to send me your links to your sites so I can add them to the directory http://CommunityCycles.org/links.html Many of you have sent me links in the past and I've done my best to include them but a few may have slipped through the cracks. Please verify that your collective is listed. Once I hear back from people I'll send out the links and encourage you all add them to your sites links page. Why is Rich doing this? I'm doing this because it's an easy thing we can all do to promote each other on the web. By having links to similar sites the search engines give our site more credibility and move us up in the search results. It also shows our site visitors we are part of a larger movement to get people on bikes. Peace -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

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websites
by Tony DiLorenzo 18 Oct '08

18 Oct '08

A company that might work for some folks is www.charityadvantage.com. It is very indepth and cost effective. -- Tony DiLorenzo Executive Director Forward Motion Foundation 858-345-2327 www.forwardmotionfoundation.org

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bikebike southeast registration open now!
by rachael spiewak 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Hi, everyone! Registration is now open for Bike!Bike! Southeast. Enjoy<http://southeast.bikebike.org/registration>! If you're planning on coming and not ready to fill out the form just yet, please let us know (reply sender!) so we can list you as a participating shop (google maps of participating shops on the way). -rachael -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat & Sun 2 pm - 6 pm

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On-Topic Please and New Drupal Website for Sibley Bike Depot
by Wilbur Ince 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Collective Supporters: Let's keep the emails on-topic! We are here to support and sustain each other with ideas and information about Bike Collectives. At The Sibley Bike Depot in Saint Paul, we are implementing a new Drupal 6 powered website. We are using Drupal because it is a powerful platform that allows us to run the calendar, newsletters, etc. We are also using it because we have a few volunteers with Drupal experience and a commitment to help. We are starting from the ground up, developing everything ourselves. We will give updates as we tackle some of the more pressing items like tracking volunteer hours and bike donations/inventory. You can see our new Drupal 6 site here (not quite production ready yet!) http://www.sibleybikedepot.org You can see your current Drupal 5 website here: http://www.bikeped.org If you have questions or want more information, give me a shout! Wilbur Ince Sibley Bike Depot Web Team

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Unsubscribe me
by jill bedford 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Jill Bedford __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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TIP: Keeping your hands warm in the winter.
by Jonathan Morrison 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

I have been having alot of bicyclists ask me what gloves to buy so that their hands will stay warm in the winter. My response is that there is no glove that will cut it. I used to live and bicycle commute in upstate New York and I tried everything from lobster claws to neoprene without satisfaction. The only thing that works came from my winter motorcycle riding experiences and they are called handlebar guantlets aka "hippo hands." As compared to bulky gloves that prevent dexterity, hippo hands surround your handlebars and allow you to use a thin pair of summer gloves and not feel cold. They keep the wind off you while your hands heat up the space inside. Your hands may even sweat. Yes, they may look funny, but if they can keep the hands of a motorcyclist (and snowmobilers) flying at 75 mph warm in the dead of winter -- the bicycle is a logical crossover. Jill Homer, of Juneau, Alaska, rode her bicycle in the Iditarod Trail International — 350 miles of wintry pedaling over tough terrain. Note the hippo hands she is using in this NPR article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16314506 This will only work on flat bars, not sure what to suggest about drop bars, except it was rumored someone was promoting a commerical version for drops this year at Interbike (www.interbike.com). Here are some at overstock.com that might work: http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Insulated-ATV-Handlebar-Gauntlet/30827… Here is the company that bought the hippo hand name, the originals (which you can get on ebay) were made by craig vetter from 1971-1978: http://www.hippohands.com/ -- Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison c: 801-688-0183

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unsubscribe me please!!
by Allegra Brace 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

please take me off the mailing list thanks erin brace

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reschedule bikebike southeast so it won't conflict with inauguration?
by rachael spiewak 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

Hi, everyone. Bike!Bike! Southeast is scheduled for the weekend following the presidential inauguration. Some of our volunteers already have DC travel plans, whatever the results may be. Said uncertain results might have some bearing on what other potential BBSE participants want to do with their time that week, too. The events don't completely overlap, but there's a possible scheduling conflict there. So, if there is a reasonable amount of interest in pushing BBSE back a week to accommadate whatever inauguration plans people have, we have no problem with that. You can reply sender so we don't clog up inboxes. Thanks! Rachael -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat & Sun 2 pm - 6 pm

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(no subject)
by Elijah Evans 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

please unsubscribe me as well! Elijah Evans Earn-A-Bike and Instructor Training Coordinator Bikes Not Bombs ~ 284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617-522-0222 x 600 617-522-0922 (fax)

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tap & die
by Macho Philipovich 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

a couple of local buy & sell type websites have people selling used tap & die sets. some metric. some not. one, for example, says "sizes NC/NF 3,4,5,6,7,8,10,12, 1/8 pipe tap. 16 taps and 18 dies." would any of this be usable on any bike part at our shop if i buy it? just throwing this out there. macho

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unsubscribe me
by al ness 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

please unsubscribe me from your mailing list.

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anyone have any really great photos from Bike Bike SF?
by free ride 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Mine aren't working out. Need them to be print quality. if they're on flickr that's great. later. -erok

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Bylaw Drafting Help
by reno bikes 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

To Whom It May Concern: The Reno Bike Project, a non-profit, community-based organization in Reno, Nevada, is in the process of drafting bylaws. The Reno Bike Project is committed to producing an outlet that will encourage all forms of cycling, including personal health, alternative transportation, cycling activism, as well as cycling arts and culture throughout the Reno/Truckee Meadows area. Our goal is to make Reno a more eco-friendly, healthy, culturally rich and communal city through cycling awareness and improved resources. www.blog.renobikeproject.com We are hoping that some similar organizations might share their own corporate bylaws so we can get an idea of what people are using, what works, what doesn't. Any information you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks! Gabriel Urza Reno Bike Project Board of Directors -- www.renobikeproject.com Wed-Sat 12-6pm 541 E. 4th Street. Reno, NV 89512 775.323.4488

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Bicycle Zines...welcome here
by Geoffrey B 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

Hello all cycling folk. Please to inform you that there will be a home for any zines willing to be sent to Canada. Toronto's Bike Pirates hopes to lend a hand at the circulation and publication of any compiled zines about cycling with a reading room/library. Please play a part and help circulate zines about bikes and bike trips. Send us a line with your experiences with zines and cycling at... Bike Pirates Toronto, Canada 1292 Bloor Street W. M6H 1N9 We pirates will share, sending you a packet of zines we have complied. Geoffrey B -- "You must be the change you would like to see in the world." - Gandhi

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list request
by Macho Philipovich 11 Oct '08

11 Oct '08

hey folks. can people sending large attachments (like, >1M) please post them on the web somewhere (maybe the wiki?) and post a link? my feeble email account bottoms out at 15M and then blocks me from sending/receiving email and it's a real hassle. thanks! macho

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