- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Paying People who Refurbish Bikes
by Tegan Moss [B!KE] 11 Dec '20

11 Dec '20

Hi Folks, B!KE does not currently pay anyone to fix bikes. We do not have any staff members who do repairs for clients or refurbish bicycles to sell. Our hundreds of refurb that get completed each year are currently done by volunteers. We have occasionally talked about how to compensate volunteers who are particularly prolific bike builders. What do other shops do? Do you pay people to refurbish bikes? Is it per bike or per hour? Are all bikes worth the same amount? Are all bike builders compensated equally? If you have a system that is working well for your shop I would be very interested in talking to you about what you do. Please send me an email if this is something you'd be open to talking about. Thanks, Tegan -- Executive Director B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 293 George St, Peterborough ON (705) 775-7227 communitybikeshop.org she/her

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T'Tank friends; please help OCBC win a security system by voting online until Fri.!
by Jim Sheehan 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

Friends, Our co-op is a finalist in an online voting contest for a $10,000 security camera system, and we could really use your help to get the votes we need to win. The whole story is here <https://ohiocitycycles.org/2020/12/03/vote-daily-for-ocbc-in-the-security-1…>, but all you need to do is go to this link <https://www.security101.com/cleveland/gift-of-security> and vote for us once a day until midnight Friday! (Note you do NOT have to enter your email to vote, or see the results (just click "Skip"), or to share the poll on your social media (click SKIP another couple times). Thanks everybody, and stay safe! Appreciatively, Jim Sheehan Executive Director Ohio City Bicycle Co-op 1840 Columbus Rd Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216 830 2667 OhioCityCycles.org jim(a)ohiocitycycles.org

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 170, Issue 9
by Lawrence Mohammed 27 Nov '20

27 Nov '20

Hi Tegan, almost everything we do operates within a gift economy * Servicing has a labour 'value' attached as a guide of what this would be in a conventional workshop, people choose to pay what they feel/what they can - some pay the full amount, some overpay, some underpay, some simply receive. We service bikes ranging from £50 to £10,000 (Bosch e-bike certified, etc) * We are often gifted old bikes (many that would be rejected by other non-profits and refused at a normal workshop but very occasionally, some that are worth a few hundred pounds). We full service these, sometimes just keeping the frame and building up everything. The money for parts (if not using good 2nd hand parts) is paid for by profits from servicing. Volunteers learn lots. * No one takes a salary, everyone gets lunch and coffees and travel (if they want) paid for. Any personal bike servicing has no labour cost attached and free learning from a senior qualified mechanic. * I'm currently taking a training fee from a schools programme I designed and run once a week during term time. * We are training mechanics up to Cytech 2 and senior mechanics up to and beyond the level of Cytech 3 (though not certifying them due to cost at the moment). We managed to get a community fund for training so far, but are building up a wiki resource for our own training programme which will become and remain open source....I've written programmes (and certified modular programmes) for a few organisations. I've also been a teacher and trainer for about 25years in various subjects. * w.r.t Refurbished bikes - these are valued at a going market rate - and since Covid, people pay what they can for them. I used to draw an income from this (this was the only income I drew) but after the pandemic, and with the training which I can live on (the rent of the flat I live in is currently gifted), I do not need any more money to get by with comfort. The deep trust encourages others to share and deeply support the team - including for example during the pandemic when one volunteer became very ill and one of our community stepped up and gifted three months of therapy, twice per week (usually £100+ per session). * The model we work in is making sure the team are well looked after so they can look after the community - it feeds back ;) * I'm exploring how to support future Workshop Managers at the moment as I'm still the Workshop Manager as well as the CEO & Head Mechanic (Accountant, lead trainer, etc etc) - not sure whether anyone else will step up to cover someone's rent but...who knows?! ;) In service, *Lawrence Mohammed* CEO and Founder Pro Bike Service C.I.C. *+44 (0)77 222 58587* *probikeservice.co.uk <https://probikeservice.co.uk>* /::Olympic Park Site:: Pro Bike Service C.I.C. Multi-Storey Car Park, Lesney Avenue Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London E20 3BS *map location <https://what3words.com/upset.habit.funds>* / On 27/11/2020 21:03, 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. Paying People who Refurbish Bikes (Tegan Moss [B!KE]) > 2. Re: Paying People who Refurbish Bikes (Cyclista Nicholas) > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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Shop Operations During Covid
by momoko saunders 25 Nov '20

25 Nov '20

Hey all, I'd love to get a quick update on what shops are doing for shop operations during covid. There was an awesome virtual workshop put on a few months ago. What are shops up to now? At Bike Farm, we're still far from being open in our usual way. We have a parts selling shift for one day of the week. We meet people outside and get a list of items they want to purchase, then volunteers rummage around and find the parts and bring them out for the patron to choose from. We do not allow use of tools which is really hard but most people understand. We do have a selection of tools which we have available for sale for real cheap. This includes random loose allen wrenches, other wrenches, multi tools. Here are the guidelines for this shift <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xu3qCapSPopoQ7VbiqyG1VJdroA6WiJwBSPleTN…> . We also have a shift where volunteers work on bikes in the shop for sale or for our community partnerships. We limit all volunteer groups to 5 people at a time, and we try to keep people in germ bubbles so that if someone does get sick, we've limited the exposure. Everyone wears masks at all times and keeps distant. We have a 3rd night which we just added called our infrastructure night. On this night we work on cleaning the shop and making it more functional. We have a document outlining <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EthWNOhjeo4sOQZobhrvykb_gTB4aGRKeMdiL0T…> our covid protocols. I've made a copy of it for the thinktank to view. Everyone in the shop must read and agree to these guidelines before being able to volunteer. --- With a vaccine looking like it will not be here and widely available till summer or even fall of 2021, we're looking for more creative ways to provide resources to the community, stay safe, and maybe make some money to pay rent. I'd love to hear if others have come up with creative ways to continue operations during this time. Hope you all are well, -Momoko

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Artbook / Calendar / Zine - Kickstarter Project - Last 6 days.
by Skills-of-Bike Bookata 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Think-tankers, I am sure you want our calendar on your wall, but just forgot about the deadline. You can have it all - Art book, zine, calendar, and a future deck of cards. All can be pre-ordered here: http://kck.st/3jC58as> <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkck.st%2F3jC58as%3Ffbclid%3DIwA…> Merci beaucoup from snowy Montreal Andrei + Dario (Bookata - BICI) 2020 *Skills of bike - Grip of life* <http://kck.st/3jC58as> <http://kck.st/3jC58as>skillsofbike(a)gmail.com https://dariocarta.com/home http://www.bookata.com/ m.me/skillsofbike https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1522759383/skills-of-bike-grip-of-life…

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Bike and Ped Job Postings
by Areli Morales 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Hello All, My current job CalWalks <https://www.calwalks.org/> is hiring California-based Mobility Justice individuals. Volunteering at and running Bike CO-Ops definitely qualifies as experience. I for one would like to see more creative and meaningful community work translated into this state-wide work. Reach out if you have any questions. https://www.calwalks.org/work-with-us <https://www.calwalks.org/work-with-us?emci=a3612c83-5a2b-eb11-9fb4-00155d43…> Join our team of dedicated mobility justice advocates! We are currently hiring for energetic and detail-oriented Community Programs Managers or Coordinators! We're seeking Community Program Managers with strong experience in program development and management and a strong commitment to anti-racist work. The Community Programs Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the day-to-day operations of one of the organization’s walking and biking safety programs. We're looking for Community Programs Coordinators to support community capacity building and engagement work to create safer, healthier, and more equitable communities across California. Candidates must have a strong commitment to anti-racist work. -- *Areli Morales* LEED Green Associate LCI #6323

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Our Community Bikes Job Posting - Service Manager
by Sophia Suderman 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Hello! Just putting the word out that we are hiring for a Service Manager at Our Community Bikes in Vancouver, BC. The job posting is attached. Please spread the word and share as you see fit. Thanks! Sophia -- Sophia Suderman Executive Director PEDAL - Pedal Energy Development Alternatives 2429 Main Street Unceded Coast Salish Territories www.pedalpower.org | (604) 879-2453

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looking for scrap wheels in Ft. Lauderdale
by Christopher Clark 17 Nov '20

17 Nov '20

I have a board member who is a sculpture artist. He's building an installation in Ft. Lauderdale using old wheels. We scrounged up a couple hundred for him to take with him but he's looking for about 30 more this week. Anyone have a line on scrap bike wheels in the Davie, FL, USA area? Non-functional preferred. Attached a pic of what he's got so far. He needs them this week.Best, Chris <http://www.scbikes.org>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 170, Issue 3
by Tegan Moss [B!KE] 09 Nov '20

09 Nov '20

B!KE began using MyTurn.com in April and we are very happy with it. We started a small bicycle tool library <https://communitybikeshop.myturn.com/library/> and are also using my turn to very successfully manage our membership database. We chose MyTurn over other platforms because it is a company that is deeply invested in the sharing economy. It has flexibility (like sliding scale fees) that really reflects the needs of a more grass roots organizational approach. I think it could easily be configured to have check-out fees and partial refunds with a return. The lead developer Gene is great. I would suggest folks take a look at it if you are looking for either a library system or need affordable support with member management. Cheers, Tegan On Sun, Nov 8, 2020 at 4:03 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. Re: 6 month Bike "Checkout" System w/ the option to buy > (Bill Leddy) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Bill Leddy <bill(a)williesworkshop.net> > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2020 10:39:07 -0800 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 6 month Bike "Checkout" System w/ the option > to buy > Hi All, > > Before I begin, I apologize in advance for the length of this post… > > I’m new to this list. I’ve been a volunteer with Sacramento Area Bicycle > Advocates (SABA) for a number of years. As part of my work at SABA I’ve > created a few on-line systems that we have been using. > > Commenting on Jonathan’s post, though I’m not fluent in PHP, assuming the > source code is available (very likely) that sounds like a good way to get > your system back on line quickly. As a next step, finding someone to > upgrade the code to a modern version of PHP would surly be quicker and > easier than starting from scratch. On the other hand, sometimes with > experience gained, a substantial re-write may make the app a lot better. > > As a kinda-sorta response to Audrey’s question about other systems, I’d > like to share something I’m currently working on for SABA which I hope may > be relevant. > > When “the thing” started in March, a number of bike organizations began > “Bike Match” programs with a focus on getting under used bikes into the > hands of essential workers who were having trouble commuting to their jobs > etc. It stated in NY and DC, I believe, as a one on one match making scheme > where the donor and recipient would make their own arrangements to meet and > hand off the bike. SABA tried setting up a similar program but in a > smaller, far less dense city, the logistics simply did not work. The > distances between the donors and recipients are too great. There was a lot > of bike schlepping on our part so it just didn’t scale. > > We are on the verge of relaunching SABA BikeMatch with a very different > approach which, after viewing the Bike Library site, sounds an awful lot > like what Audrey’s organization is doing but with a bit of an on-line > shopping element. Rather than scheduling people to come in and find a bike, > we plan to post the available bikes on line. Bikes are reserved for a very > limited time with a specific appointment date and time. At the appointed > time, the recipient comes to pickup their bike. If they don’t show, the > bike automatically becomes available for someone else. > > You can play around with the development site here: > https://bikematch.williesworkshop.net Feel free to “reserve” a bike and > check it out. > > The site is still in development but should all work, as far as it goes. I > would love to hear feed back and any suggestions or questions you have. > > Getting back to Audrey’s question, I could imagine this system expanding > to include a Library functionality. I think all the major pieces are there. > I look forward to hearing your comments. > > In case there is anyone still reading this, I have another system which > I’ve created that other organizations may be interested in... > > What with “the thing” this year SABA has not been doing too many public > events but we used to do a lot of Valet Bike Parking and a community bike > repair program we call Bike MD. After using another system for years, I was > finally fed up enough with what I thought were short comings and created a > system for publicizing events and allowing volunteers and staff to schedule > themselves for shifts. You can check it out here: > > https://events.sacbike.org > > For those of a technical frame of mind, it’s open source written in Python > and is available at: http://github.com/wleddy/staffing > The site is not entirely customizable at this time, but if anyone is > interested in making use of it, it might be just the push I need to clean > it up. > > Regards, > Bill Leddy > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Jonathan Rosenbaum <gnuser(a)gmail.com> > > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > > Cc: > > Bcc: > > Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2020 23:05:04 -0500 > > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 6 month Bike "Checkout" System w/ the option > to buy > > Hi Audrey, > > > > Is the code for the Bike Library Checkout App available anywhere? > > > > Regardless, I should be able to provide a resolution for this issue. The > easiest solution would be to run the app in a virtualized container that > has the correct libraries. Exactly like with the reuse of bikes, you can > reuse code. > > > > -Jonathan > > > > > > On Fri, Nov 6, 2020 at 11:17 AM Audrey Wiedemeier < > audrey(a)bikelibrary.org> wrote: > > Hello Friends: > > > > Yesterday the Bike Library Checkout App that is custom built html failed > to load. It won't be an easy fix as the Bike Lib. app was running on a > really old version of php; a version that is no longer supported. The code > is at least ten years old and likely will need to be completely rewritten. > That being said, we need to decide to rewrite the code or query other > operations out there. > > > > The order of operation for the Checkout System is: > > - find a bike, put down a deposit of $100-$300, sign the liability > waiver, patron takes bike > > - on our end each bike has a 4-digit number that gets entered into our > system with bike specs and the 6 month "due date" is recorded with that > number > > - six months go by and the patron can return the bike for a refund of > their deposit minus $50 OR they simply keep the bike and we keep their > deposit $. > > - if they return it we make sure we have an updated mailing address, and > the app lets us know how much we need to write the check out for to send > via snail mail > > > > My questions to y'all are: > > > > 1 Do other shops operate in a similar fashion? If so, what POS system > are you using? > > > > 2 Are there other shops out there who would want to replicate this > checkout system? We have always wanted to make it easier to share and now > would be the time to do it. > > > > 3 Have you heard of any new tech solutions that we should research? I've > heard it's easier than ever to build your own app and I've fallen behind so > maybe is a simple solution. > > > > > > > > Peace & grease, > > > > Audrey Wiedemeier (She/her/hers) > > Iowa City Bike Library, Director > > > > 700 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City > > COVID Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 10 AM - 5 PM; Sat. 10 - 3 PM > > Need something? Set up an appointment by email. > > Want to donate? Drop off anytime during these hours. Thank you! > > > > BikeLibrary.org > > C: (515) 450-1651 > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > -- Executive Director B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 293 George St, Peterborough ON (705) 775-7227 communitybikeshop.org she/her

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Re: [TheThinkTank] 6 month Bike "Checkout" System w/ the option to buy
by Bill Leddy 08 Nov '20

08 Nov '20

Hi All, Before I begin, I apologize in advance for the length of this post… I’m new to this list. I’ve been a volunteer with Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) for a number of years. As part of my work at SABA I’ve created a few on-line systems that we have been using. Commenting on Jonathan’s post, though I’m not fluent in PHP, assuming the source code is available (very likely) that sounds like a good way to get your system back on line quickly. As a next step, finding someone to upgrade the code to a modern version of PHP would surly be quicker and easier than starting from scratch. On the other hand, sometimes with experience gained, a substantial re-write may make the app a lot better. As a kinda-sorta response to Audrey’s question about other systems, I’d like to share something I’m currently working on for SABA which I hope may be relevant. When “the thing” started in March, a number of bike organizations began “Bike Match” programs with a focus on getting under used bikes into the hands of essential workers who were having trouble commuting to their jobs etc. It stated in NY and DC, I believe, as a one on one match making scheme where the donor and recipient would make their own arrangements to meet and hand off the bike. SABA tried setting up a similar program but in a smaller, far less dense city, the logistics simply did not work. The distances between the donors and recipients are too great. There was a lot of bike schlepping on our part so it just didn’t scale. We are on the verge of relaunching SABA BikeMatch with a very different approach which, after viewing the Bike Library site, sounds an awful lot like what Audrey’s organization is doing but with a bit of an on-line shopping element. Rather than scheduling people to come in and find a bike, we plan to post the available bikes on line. Bikes are reserved for a very limited time with a specific appointment date and time. At the appointed time, the recipient comes to pickup their bike. If they don’t show, the bike automatically becomes available for someone else. You can play around with the development site here: https://bikematch.williesworkshop.net Feel free to “reserve” a bike and check it out. The site is still in development but should all work, as far as it goes. I would love to hear feed back and any suggestions or questions you have. Getting back to Audrey’s question, I could imagine this system expanding to include a Library functionality. I think all the major pieces are there. I look forward to hearing your comments. In case there is anyone still reading this, I have another system which I’ve created that other organizations may be interested in... What with “the thing” this year SABA has not been doing too many public events but we used to do a lot of Valet Bike Parking and a community bike repair program we call Bike MD. After using another system for years, I was finally fed up enough with what I thought were short comings and created a system for publicizing events and allowing volunteers and staff to schedule themselves for shifts. You can check it out here: https://events.sacbike.org For those of a technical frame of mind, it’s open source written in Python and is available at: http://github.com/wleddy/staffing The site is not entirely customizable at this time, but if anyone is interested in making use of it, it might be just the push I need to clean it up. Regards, Bill Leddy > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jonathan Rosenbaum <gnuser(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2020 23:05:04 -0500 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] 6 month Bike "Checkout" System w/ the option to buy > Hi Audrey, > > Is the code for the Bike Library Checkout App available anywhere? > > Regardless, I should be able to provide a resolution for this issue. The easiest solution would be to run the app in a virtualized container that has the correct libraries. Exactly like with the reuse of bikes, you can reuse code. > > -Jonathan > > > On Fri, Nov 6, 2020 at 11:17 AM Audrey Wiedemeier <audrey(a)bikelibrary.org> wrote: > Hello Friends: > > Yesterday the Bike Library Checkout App that is custom built html failed to load. It won't be an easy fix as the Bike Lib. app was running on a really old version of php; a version that is no longer supported. The code is at least ten years old and likely will need to be completely rewritten. That being said, we need to decide to rewrite the code or query other operations out there. > > The order of operation for the Checkout System is: > - find a bike, put down a deposit of $100-$300, sign the liability waiver, patron takes bike > - on our end each bike has a 4-digit number that gets entered into our system with bike specs and the 6 month "due date" is recorded with that number > - six months go by and the patron can return the bike for a refund of their deposit minus $50 OR they simply keep the bike and we keep their deposit $. > - if they return it we make sure we have an updated mailing address, and the app lets us know how much we need to write the check out for to send via snail mail > > My questions to y'all are: > > 1 Do other shops operate in a similar fashion? If so, what POS system are you using? > > 2 Are there other shops out there who would want to replicate this checkout system? We have always wanted to make it easier to share and now would be the time to do it. > > 3 Have you heard of any new tech solutions that we should research? I've heard it's easier than ever to build your own app and I've fallen behind so maybe is a simple solution. > > > > Peace & grease, > > Audrey Wiedemeier (She/her/hers) > Iowa City Bike Library, Director > > 700 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City > COVID Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 10 AM - 5 PM; Sat. 10 - 3 PM > Need something? Set up an appointment by email. > Want to donate? Drop off anytime during these hours. Thank you! > > BikeLibrary.org > C: (515) 450-1651

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