- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

some videos from Troy Bike Rescue
by andrew 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

I thought I would share a couple new videos: About a collaborative community project we are doing: http://www.troybikerescue.org/node/140 nice montage from our first summer at the new shop space: http://www.youtube.com/user/tbrcollective#p/a/u/0/7_7ynHzKjmg --

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Bicycle and pedestrian funding in danger!
by Andy Greif 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

_____ From: League of American Bicyclists [mailto:bikeleague@bikeleague.org] Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 3:18 PM To: Andy Greif Subject: Bicycle and pedestrian funding in danger! Lawmakers threaten to end Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Rec Trails Programs. <http://capwiz.com/lab/utr/1/LUQLQDFCVS/LPLMQDFCWU/7103980611> Take <http://capwiz.com/lab/utr/1/LUQLQDFCVS/LPLMQDFCWU/7103980611> Action! Contact your Senators and Representative today! Key Congressional leaders are attacking Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational trails and are taking steps to cut off dedicated federal funding for bicycling and walking. House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced today that his transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program, and discourages states from choosing to spend their dollars on these activities that are "not in the federal interest." Chairman Mica's statement that these programs remain "eligible" for funding is worthless; without dedicated funding for these three programs, they are effectively eliminated. Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the transportation bill, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate 'frivolous spending for bike trails.' This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking. However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution, and Senator Inhofe's comments mean funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination. Help protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact your Members of Congress and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue funding for these important bicycling and walking programs. Need some good facts to bolster your argument? Read on: Not in the federal interest? Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US - even as funding for biking and walking projects only accounts for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. That is more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year, including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism. Frivolous? Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways. One-third of children's traffic deaths happen when children are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars. Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways-improving accessibility and saving lives. The Facts * Biking and walking are important forms of transportation, and funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars. Portland, OR built 300 miles of bike lanes and trails for the cost of one mile of highway. * These projects create jobs and build local economies. Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent. Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity. * Eliminating the 1.5% of transportation funding spent on bike/ped would have no meaningful impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy. Why Act Now? Both the House and Senate long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak. We still have a chance of influencing the outcomes. Let's make sure that funding for biking and walking programs don't disappear for many years. We need every Senator to tell Senators Boxer and Inhofe that bicycling and walking are vital parts of our transportation system, and that there must be dedicated funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians are safe. And we need every Representative in the House to tell Chairman Mica the same. Please <http://capwiz.com/lab/utr/1/LUQLQDFCVS/IBSFQDFCWV/7103980611> contact your Senators and Representatives TODAY to tell them that bicycling and walking are a critical part of a safe and equitable transportation system. Ask them to tell Representative Mica and Senators Boxer and Inhofe that a federal transportation bill must continue dedicated funding for bicycling and walking. If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here <http://capwiz.com/lab/lmx/u/?jobid=191562740&queueid=7103980611> . <http://capwiz.com/lab/utr/i1/LUQLQDFCVS/7103980611/img/capwizlogo.gif>

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Help CBC: Congressional action threatens federal funds for bicycling projects
by Comm Bike Ctr 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Hi Youth Bicycle Advocates, I assume that your state bicycle coalitions have informed you about the move to eliminate funding of federal transportation programs for bicycling and walking. Please immediately find out who to contact in your respective state congressional delegations to share your thoughts. Pass along this information to your networks. Thank you! Take care, Andy Greif Dear CBC Friends, We need your immediate help combating the efforts of the U.S. House Transportation Committee Chair John Micca and Senator James Inhofe to eliminate Safe Routes to Schools, the Recreational Trail Program, and Transportation Enhancement funds for biking and walking facilities. Please read the attached letter from Nancy Grant, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, for information about how to contact the members of our Maine congressional delegation. Please do this before you head home for the weekend since the long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak. We need your advocacy and influence. The Community Bicycle Center depends on Transportation Enhancement funds to provide youth development experiences through bike safety education activities including bike riding safety education, bike repair/maintenance instruction, and community service projects. We are "in the national interest" and we are "not frivolous spending." In 2010, the CBC served over 355 kids and 154 volunteers along with providing technical support to 12 organizations plus 35 cyclists (10 kids) just raising $19,640 for the American Lung Association of New England. Just yesterday, we gave IRS W4 and I9 forms to two people we will hire along with confirming purchases of bike relating equipment from businesses in Portland, Oregon, Santa Barbara, California, Miami, Florida, and Raleigh, North Carolina. We are a growing organization and nonprofit industry providing jobs and job skill development to youth. More importantly, six children spent nine hours with us yesterday on a 16 mile bike ride to swim at Goodwins Mills followed by attending the Music on Main Street benefit for the CBC and four other public benefit nonprofits followed by fixing bikes with another three kids and four volunteers. National interest occurrences that happened with the kids we serve through bike safety education activities during the course of the day included: * Cory telling Eddie to let Dakota to try fixing a rim since he had never done this task rather than taking over and doing it for him. * Eddie practicing leadership skills through leading our bike ride and role modeling to other kids Rules of the Road and safe group cycling strategies. * Amber learning how to safely captain a tandem with her younger sister as a stoker in preparation for their goal to Trek Across Maine in June 2012. * Megan learning how to break through her shyness to ask from strangers about how to get second helpings of food at the Music on Main Street Benefit. * All the kids learning how to share caring adults, problem solve, and genuinely say thank you as they need help repairing bikes for themselves and others. There is so much more depth to each of these stories that you must spend time with us to witness the growth in these children through our programs or more time for me to write about them. Please contact members of our congressional delegation to let them know how supporting Transportation Enhancement funding is necessary and effective to develop life skills and leadership skills in children especially those living in under-resourced situations. Let them know we are enhancing their learning, providing transportation alternatives, and developing lifelong fitness habits. Thank you for your help in sustaining the CBC! Sincerely, Andy Greif Executive Director _____ From: Bicycle Coalition of Maine [mailto:Nancy@BikeMaine.org] Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 8:57 PM To: info(a)communitybike.net Subject: Congressional action threatens federal funds for bicycling projects. <http://e2ma.net/oz/7126104730/208610213/1408679/spacer.gif> <http://e2ma.net/oz/7126104730/208610213/1408679/spacer.gif> If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may <http://e2ma.net/map/view:CampaignPublic/id:1408679.7126104730/rid=124f44dfd bf6bf0b11fbcb48461ba6f8> see it online . <http://e2ma.net/go/7126104730/208610213/223766036/1408679/goto:http:/www.bi kemaine.org> Dear Bicyclists, We've just received some very bad news regarding federal funding for bicycling projects and we really need your help. Today, the chair of the U.S. House Transportation Committee unveiled plans for a long-term transportation bill that will eliminate all dedicated funding for biking and walking, including Safe Routes to School, the Recreational Trails Program and Transportation Enhancements that fund many bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Chair John Mica referred to those programs as "not in the national interest." Senator James Inhofe, a lead negotiator in the Senate debate on the bill, declared that one of his top priorities is eliminating "frivolous spending for bike trails." We need every person who wants safe options to walk or bicycle to contact Maine's congressional representatives as soon as possible urging them to support funding for bicycling and walking. Click <http://e2ma.net/go/7126104730/208610213/223766037/1408679/goto:http:/org2.d emocracyinaction.org/o/7093/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7483> here for a quick and effective way to do so. Please urge U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree to reach out to Mica and encourage him to retain funding for bicycling and walking. Please ask Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to make the same request of Inhofe and Sen. Barbara Boxer. Read <http://e2ma.net/go/7126104730/208610213/223766038/1408679/goto:http:/capwiz .com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=51133866&queueid=%5bcapwiz:queue_id%5d> more about the issue. Both the House and the Senate long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak. We still have a chance of influencing the outcomes. Let's make sure that dedicated funding for biking and walking programs doesn't disappear for many years. Thank you for your advocacy. Nancy Grant Executive Director Bicycle Coalition of Maine nancy(a)bikemaine.org <mailto:nancy@BikeMaine.org?subject=> <http://e2ma.net/userdata/1408679/assets/bcom-slogan.gif> <http://e2ma.net/userdata/1408679/assets/bmoc-photo-tile.jpg> Bicycle Coalition of Maine P.O. Box 5275, Augusta, ME 04332 info(a)BikeMaine.org | 207.623.4511 | www.BikeMaine.org <http://e2ma.net/go/7126104730/208610213/223766039/1408679/goto:http:/www.bi kemaine.org> Share This: <http://social.e2ma.net/next/e/1408679/db5c9cf96ba21ea61cf18e74a143171b/7126 104730/?mrid=124f44dfdbf6bf0b11fbcb48461ba6f8> This email was sent to info(a)communitybike.net. To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list. <http://e2ma.net/app/view:Manage/signupId:1418511/id:1408679.7126104730/rid: 124f44dfdbf6bf0b11fbcb48461ba6f8> manage your preferences | <http://e2ma.net/app/view:OptOut/signupId:1418511/ID:1408679.7126104730/rid: 124f44dfdbf6bf0b11fbcb48461ba6f8> opt out using TrueRemoveR. Got this as a forward? <http://e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1418511/acctId:1408679/mailingId:208 610213/rid:124f44dfdbf6bf0b11fbcb48461ba6f8> Sign up to receive our future emails. Network for Good <http://www.myemma.com/userdata/20050/branding/images/nfg_emma_logo.gif> <http://e2ma.net/go/7126104730/208610213/223766040/1408679/goto:http:/www.gr oundspring.org/services/emailnow.cfm> EmailNow powered by Emma

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Oops..............Now the Real Link to Brockvillebikeministry
by Eric Montgomery 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Oops.......!!! Now that I have captured your complete attention with the first teaser email.... Below is the real link to follow! Thank you very much for your time! http://www.brockvillebikeministry.com/ Please take the time to review, make suggestions, maybe even help our youth. Eric Montgomery BikeMeEric Recycled, Rescued, Custom Re/Built Bicycles Custom Made Bamboo Bicycles 417 King Street West, Brockville, Ontario K6V 3S9 bike.me.eric(a)gmail.com (613) 246-6703

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Alternatively Empowered - Car-Free and Car-Light in Boulder
by Rich Points 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR5hzKv1kTI&feature=player_detailpage -- Rich Points Community Cycles Executive Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 303-589-0597 (C) CC is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on FaceBook http://facebook.com/home.php#!/CommunityCycles Volunteer orientations are held 6p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

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translated part names; archive search broken
by Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) 05 Jul '11

05 Jul '11

Hi all - A couple months back someone sent around a spreadsheet with translated part names (i.e. technical terms). I'm particularly interested in the Spanish/Mexican ones. Would be grateful if someone could forward me the link again! In related news - I tried searching for this in the thinktank archives, but it gave a nice error... Unable to read word database file '/dh/mailman/dingo/archives/htdig-db/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org/db.words.db' Did you run htdig? Brian SLO Bike Kitchen San Luis Obispo, CA

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Bike Pirates Anniversary
by Ainsley Naylor 04 Jul '11

04 Jul '11

Five years ago Bike Pirates opened as a small, bare-bones DIY workspace in a storefront on Bathurst Street. We have grown so much and helped so many people in the past five years, we should be extremely proud of ourselves. We are always working to improve our space, our knowledge and our impact on the community, and we wouldn't have evolved into what we are now (and what we are envisioning for our future) without the help, experience and patience of all of our volunteers. To anyone who has volunteered with Pirates over the years, and to all of the bicycles and riders we have helped, congratulations on five years of good work. We also value the insight and amazing talents of all of the folks we have met and shared ideas with here on the thinktank and each year at Bike!Bike! We are awed by the amazing work you do, and the myriad ways we are all able to strive for the same goals. Thank you for providing us with this amazing community of support, and for inspiration of the past five years. Xo Bike Pirates.

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Want some slime tubes?
by Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) 03 Jul '11

03 Jul '11

Any collective out there in desperate need of tubes? Our favorite product Slime was invented on our stomping grounds here in San Luis Obispo, CA. They donated a bunch of stuff to us - more than we can use ourselves. 20x1.5-2.125, 16x1.5-2.125, 24x1.5-2.125 tubes pre-filled with slime - I didn't check, but assume they are schrader valves. We have perhaps dozen of each of those tubes. We also have random smaller items, some not even intended for bikes, but rather car tires. Digital pressure gauges, needles for balls, instant patches, etc... We'd like to donate some of these supplies to a collective out there which could really use these - we rarely need tubes of those sizes here. Would especially be nice to help out a collective which is struggling to birth itself. In any case, if you're interested, drop me a note with a couple sentences describing your situation. Cheers, Brian SLO Bike Kitchen San Luis Obispo, CA P.S. I often wonder if other collectives out there have a huge excess of things. For example, ours desperately needs 6-7-8 speed pod shifters. P.P.S. SRAM is also a company local to us. Somehow we ended up with a bucket full of chainring bolts & M15 ISIS-style crank bolts, black. You'd have to grind the chainring bolts down to make single-speed versions, but if you want some of either I can send you a handfull.

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How was Bike!Bike!
by Jonathan Morrison 27 Jun '11

27 Jun '11

??? 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 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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Bikes for Crates
by andrew 22 Jun '11

22 Jun '11

Hi Thinktank... is anyone out there doing any crates to Africa or elsewhere currently? we have been asked to participate in such things before and the stars never aligned, but now we are in a situation of needing to downsize our storage substantially. Please contact me if there is anything going on, especially if its in the Northeast.... we could potentially contribute anywhere from 1-300 bikes, but we know little about how such projects operate.... we are all volunteer and dont have any budget to assist... just bikes. Andrew Lynn Troy Bike Rescue Troy, NY

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