- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

America reCycled hits the road
by Tim Hussin 11 Nov '10

11 Nov '10

Hey everyone, This is Noah Hussin from America reCycled. We're two bicyclists/storytellers crossing the country on bikes we built at the Recyclery, a bike coop in Asheville, NC. As we ride west, we're documenting efforts to rebuild local culture, community, and economy through short film, photography, music, and writing. We've just started the trip, but have a few stories posted. One explores the bike cooperative where we built our bikes. Here is the link to the bike coop story: http://www.americarecycled.org/?p=293 We tried to capture the magic that happens at bicycle cooperatives, and I figured that this email list would be the best place to get honest feedback about how we're doing so far. Don't hesitate to comment and criticize. We really want to get this out to cyclists everywhere, so if you have a few minutes, we'd love you to look at what we're doing. If you like what you see, it'd be great if you'd pass it on to some friends. The website features a map that charts our route, and nodes that correspond to the stories we're telling along the way. We're also looking for places/communities to visit along the trip. It looks like we'll be heading down to New Orleans, then to Austin, and then up toward N. California. If you have any feedback or ideas for us, please shoot us an email at americarecycled(a)gmail.com Thanks a lot -Noah

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The 816 Bicycle Collective Makes Plans To Move To A Drier Location
by the816bikecollective Kansascity 03 Nov '10

03 Nov '10

August 7th, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *The 816 Bicycle Collective Makes Plans To Move To A Drier Location* Kansas City, Missouri – Last winter electrical damage from a constant leaking roof left the 816 Bicycle Collective without electricity for nearly 3 months. Despite this setback, and the freezing temperatures, volunteers setup shop outside, (sometimes in the snow,) to help all-weather bicycle commuters with repairs. The power is on now, it’s 80 degrees hotter, and with community support 816 is preparing the first steps of relocating to a new building, (with a better roof.) The 816 Bicycle Collective is a recycle a bicycle project that has been helping people in the greater Kansas City area earn bicycles and learn about mechanics for the past 3 years. The organization relies completely on donations and community support. *To help raise funds for a new, drier space, the collective is throwing a party themed BIKES ARE HOT at Californos in Westport located at 4124 Pennsylvania, Sunday, August 22nd at 7PM. Entertainment includes – DJ Madeline, live performances from Andean Express - an Andean folk music group, bike races sponsored by KC Cold Sprints, artwork and bicycle frames/parts for silent auction, games and more!* * * We invite you to be a part of our project! For more information, media inquiries, or to find out what you can do to help – Contact: The816bike(a)gmail.com Or call 505-231-1589 Check out our MySpace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=2… Read an article written about us in *Spectrum * http://spectrum.mcckc.edu/archives/2007-10-26/features/bike.htm We are also currently in need/accepting the following donations - *All are tax deductable under The Greater Kansas City Bicycle Federation* *-Items to raffle – gift certificates, coupons, art, or other merchandise* -Metric box wrenches and Allen keys, or any specialty bike tools -Bike cables, housing, chain lube, grease and degreaser -Helmets and bike locks (cables, chains, u-locks) -Front and rear bike lights -Bike Stands -Printing services ###

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Resources for teaching bike mechanics in a third world country?
by David Branigan 03 Nov '10

03 Nov '10

Dear Will (and bike collective folks), Bikes Not Bombs has experience training mechanic fieldworkers and implementing bicycle start-up projects in developing countries in Central America, the Caribbean and Africa. We do not have a standardized curriculum, but we definitely have some best practices and lots of project experience. Feel free and contact me to discuss details. Also, just to put this out for everyone- Bikes Not Bombs is developing a new start-up project in northern Uganda, with potential implementation beginning mid-year in 2011. We will be looking for a mechanic fieldworker for this project for a period of at least 6 months. The project will train local mechanics, provide bikes to 400 Village Health Workers, and establish a bike co-op workshop. Our ideal fieldworker would have bike shop experience, time spent living in Africa, experience organizing communities, practiced cultural sensitivity, and a track record of self-motivation and determination. Please share this far and wide, and contact me if you are interested to apply. Peace and Justice, David Branigan International Programs Director david(a)bikesnotbombs.org Bikes Not Bombs promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction. For 26 years, BNB has been a nexus of bike recycling and community empowerment both in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. BNB's programs involve young people and adults in mutually respectful leadership development and environmental stewardship, while recycling 6,000 bicycles annually.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Resources for teaching bike mechanics in a third world country?
by David Branigan 03 Nov '10

03 Nov '10

Dear Will (and bike collective folks), Bikes Not Bombs has experience training mechanic fieldworkers and implementing bicycle start-up projects in developing countries in Central America, the Caribbean and Africa. We do not have a standardized curriculum, but we definitely have some best practices and lots of project experience. Feel free and contact me to discuss details. Also, just to put this out for everyone- Bikes Not Bombs is developing a new start-up project in northern Uganda, with potential implementation beginning mid-year in 2011. We will be looking for a mechanic fieldworker for this project for a period of at least 6 months. The project will train local mechanics, provide bikes to 400 Village Health Workers, and establish a bike co-op workshop. Our ideal fieldworker would have bike shop experience, time spent living in Africa, experience organizing communities, practiced cultural sensitivity, and a track record of self-motivation and determination. Please share this far and wide, and contact me if you are interested to apply. Peace and Justice, David Branigan International Programs Director david(a)bikesnotbombs.org Bikes Not Bombs promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction. For 26 years, BNB has been a nexus of bike recycling and community empowerment both in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. BNB's programs involve young people and adults in mutually respectful leadership development and environmental stewardship, while recycling 6,000 bicycles annually.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Resources for teaching bike mechanics in a third world country?
by David Branigan 03 Nov '10

03 Nov '10

Dear Will, Bikes Not Bombs has experience training mechanic fieldworkers and implementing bicycle start-up projects in developing countries in Central America, the Caribbean and Africa. We do not have a standardized curriculum, but we definitely have some best practices and lots of project experience. Feel free and contact me to discuss details. Also, just to put this out for everyone- Bikes Not Bombs is developing a new start-up project in northern Uganda, with potential implementation beginning mid-year in 2011. We will be looking for a mechanic fieldworker for this project for a period of at least 6 months. The project will train local mechanics, provide bikes to 400 Village Health Workers, and establish a bike co-op workshop. Our ideal fieldworker would have bike shop experience, time spent living in Africa, experience organizing communities, practiced cultural sensitivity, and a track record of self-motivation and determination. Please share this far and wide, and contact me if you are interested to apply. Peace and Justice, David Branigan International Programs Director david(a)bikesnotbombs.org ************ 1. Re: Resources for teaching bike mechanics in a third world country? (John Patterson) 2. Re: bikebike 2011 date (Scott TenBrink) From: John Patterson <john.patterson(a)me.com> Date: November 2, 2010 3:51:49 AM EDT To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Resources for teaching bike mechanics in a third world country? Reply-To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> For Zambia I suggest contacting Zambikes (www.zambikes.org); a non-profit community-based operation doing great things across the country... Regards, John ___________________________ John Patterson | VéloCity Bicycle Co-op | 204 S. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314 | velocitycoop.org | +1 703-835-0699 | Mobile: +1 703-608-3660 On Nov 1, 2010, at 8:19 AM, michelle mahlik wrote: > Thanks for the question, Will - I'm also interested in teaching bicycle mechanics in Zambia, Africa, if anyone has experience there. > > On Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 7:38 PM, William Wedler <w.wedler(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi Thinktank list, > > I have a request. I am helping a friend start up a bike collective of > sorts based out of an orphanage in northern India (about 2 hours north > of Delhi). He will be staying there for about two years and is > arranging for some bikes and tools to be brought over from the US. > > My question is if anybody on this list has experience teaching bike > mechanics in a place like India, where the available tools may be > limited and where bikes are used on a much more utilitarian manner > than we are used to in the US. And if you don't have any experience, > would you be able to forward this request on to anybody who has? I > plan on contacting the village bike project for advice (just sending > them email, so not sure how to best get in touch). Are there any > people running projects in Mexico who may be able to help? > > Specifically, I am asking for resources that could help in developing > a curriculum for teaching bike mechanics in a rural orphanage in > India. Any assistance would be appreciated. > > Thanks, > Will > > P.S. See the website to learn more about the bike project: http://www.kvbp.org/ > _______________________________________________ > 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.… > > > > > -- > Michelle Mahlik > > "To empathize is to civilize; to civilize is to empathize." ~ Jeremy Rifkin -- David Branigan International Programs Director www.bikesnotbombs.org 617-522-0222 x103 --------------------- Bikes Not Bombs promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction. For 26 years, BNB has been a nexus of bike recycling and community empowerment both in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. BNB's programs involve young people and adults in mutually respectful leadership development and environmental stewardship, while recycling 6,000 bicycles annually.

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Resources for teaching bike mechanics in a third world country?
by William Wedler 02 Nov '10

02 Nov '10

Hi Thinktank list, I have a request. I am helping a friend start up a bike collective of sorts based out of an orphanage in northern India (about 2 hours north of Delhi). He will be staying there for about two years and is arranging for some bikes and tools to be brought over from the US. My question is if anybody on this list has experience teaching bike mechanics in a place like India, where the available tools may be limited and where bikes are used on a much more utilitarian manner than we are used to in the US. And if you don't have any experience, would you be able to forward this request on to anybody who has? I plan on contacting the village bike project for advice (just sending them email, so not sure how to best get in touch). Are there any people running projects in Mexico who may be able to help? Specifically, I am asking for resources that could help in developing a curriculum for teaching bike mechanics in a rural orphanage in India. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks, Will P.S. See the website to learn more about the bike project: http://www.kvbp.org/

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Mailing list:)
by Edoardo G. Buenaobra 31 Oct '10

31 Oct '10

Hello, Please add me to your mailing list. Thank you kindly, -- Edoardo G. Buenaobra Education Coordinator www.phoenixbikes.org 703-575-7762

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What is your mission statement?
by Jonathan Morrison 30 Oct '10

30 Oct '10

Add it here... http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Mission_Statement 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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(no subject)
by Kelly Auer 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

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Changing Gears Community Bike Shop is hiring a Director of Sales and Marketing!
by Changing Gears Bike Shop 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

Hi all, Here's an exciting opportunity for folks to grow and build the Changing Gears Community Bike Shop in Alameda, Ca! Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might be interested! Thanks, Evan Changing Gears Bike Shop seeks a *Director of Sales and Marketing* to join our fantastic, fast-paced and friendly grassroots, not-for-profit community bike shop in Alameda. Changing Gears provides people of all backgrounds the opportunity to earn-a-bike, job training for formerly homeless adults, do-it-together repair access, bicycle donation drop-off and much more! The shop offers a full-range of services which fund the shop including sales of used bicycles and parts, and comprehensive bicycle repair services. The mission of the shop is to offer recycled bicycle services that are safe, vibrant, creative, and self-sustaining. The vision is to nurture community engagement, political power, dignity, and economic opportunity. The Director of Sales and Marketing is responsible for managing all of the day-to-day sales, marketing, communications and public relations tasks for the organization under the direction of the Site Director. This person must be organized and capable of multi-tasking. We’re looking for a self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively. The primary responsibilities of this position are: 1. Sales · Sell refurbished bicycles, parts, accessories and labor to people of all incomes and backgrounds from all over the Bay Area. · Train other staff members and volunteers best practices for customer service. · Provide superior customer service to all. · Price bicycles and parts. 2. Marketing · Review the marketing plan, and collaborate on a business plan with other staff and volunteers. · Implement the marketing plan and bring in supporters to buy and donate bikes. · Grow supporter base. · Strengthen connections with existing supporters. 3. Web Development · Manage website and bicycle database. 4. Volunteer Coordination · Coordinate volunteers to help with marketing and sales efforts. 5. Repairs · Perform basic repairs and professional bicycle diagnosis for used bicycles. 6. Pick up Bicycle Donations · Pick up (or coordinate volunteers) bicycle donations from organizations and events such as BART, AC Transit, Alameda Bicycle and more. 7. Event Coordination · Organize and attend events to promote Changing Gears. 8. Other revenue generation · Soliciting individual, organizational, and foundation donations and grants. The following qualities are important for success at this position: · Exceptional communicator who is effective, friendly and patient with people of all ages, backgrounds, preferences and income levels individually and in groups whether selling a bike, meeting with other staff/volunteers or teaching a young person how to fix a flat. · Be committed to the mission and vision of the organization. · Ability to stay organized and grounded while multi-tasking. · Commitment to recycling, reusing and reducing consumption. · Strong desire and passion to promote bicycle transportation as a strategy to strengthen the health and sustainability of communities. · Motivated Self-starter who is able to work independently and collaboratively. · Detail oriented. · A strong background in small business development, sales and marketing. · Computer and internet competency. · Energetic, enthusiastic, and warm. · Must be able to lift and haul bicycles. · Driver’s License. · Basic to extensive knowledge of bicycles strongly preferred. Benefits: · Work within a diverse and vibrant community. · Ability to take leadership. · Develop and grow a social enterprise. · Health Benefits (Coming Soon with your help). · Lunch break and holidays are paid. · A supportive fiscal sponsor, Earth Island Institute. This is a salaried position starting December 15th, 2010 with no benefits for now. The position starts at $24,750 (at 34 hours a week) for a three month trial period, with an increase in salary as sales goals are met. The first month of training will be part-time (15-20 hours a week) and salary will be pro-rated accordingly. HOW TO APPLY: Please send or email your resume with three references (at least two must be professional) and a cover letter to: Barry Luck, Site Director, Changing Gears Bike Shop Email: barry(a)changinggearsbikes.org Mailing address: Changing Gears 650 W. Ranger Avenue #C-2 Alameda, CA 94501 We are an equal opportunity employer. Women, People of Color, and people with experience working w/ African-American and/or formerly homeless people and Alameda residents are strongly encouraged to apply! Visit the website at: www.changinggearsbikes.org to learn more about the shop. -- Changing Gears Community Bike Shop 650 W.Ranger Ave #C-2 Alameda, Ca 94501 (510) 995-1478 www.changinggearsbikes.org

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