We didn't deal with this very well at the outset and ended up having to put the kibosh on kids using the space for a few months after a particularly bad week that involved many thefts and some vandalism / destruction (kids could access other parts of building not related to the shop when we were open).

Anyway, we've got a better grasp on it now. A few things I try to do:

- if it's "can we just pump up our tires / tighten our handlebars", I just pass them the tool.
- if it's next level stuff, I try to be really involved so they understand that this is a workshop/learning space. Oftentimes they just want you to go away and let them monkey around, but I think always going through the teachy motions is important even (especially) if they don't want to hear it. That will help it avoid becoming a situation where they just grab some tools and head to a dark corner.
- the most effective thing we did was to make a deal with the most frequent kids using the space. I laid it out clearly how most everyone else pays to be there, and that we were making a special case for them. They could use the shop so long as it wasn't busy and wouldn't interfere with the volunteers / members working on bigger projects. The kids, at least the group we predominately deal with, really understood this and have been surprisingly respectful about it.

- finally, when it comes to buying new/used parts, i break it down like this:
- free things: used parts that cover basic safety stuff like one set of brakes, saddle, or a tire with a sidewall that isn't about to explode. The caveat is I / volunteers choose what is going on the bike.
- barter things: used parts that they want to add as a blingy upgrade to their bike. I get them to tear rags to useable sizes, or to sort used tubes.
-  things they gotta pay for: any new parts. We can't afford to give away that stuff, and it sends a bit of a message.

Obviously you've got to be careful, especially with the "barter" system as there will definitely be kids who will pick out soft targets to manipulate. I was burned a lot before I decided to draw a hard line around what they could get.

Clifford

On 2011-08-10, at 2:13 PM, ryan jenkins wrote:

Dear ThinkTank,

I am writing to inquire about how any of your organization have dealt with the issuing of assigning value to the services that a non profit community bike space provides (ideally in creative ways outside of our money transaction economy),  particularly with pre-teenage youth in urban areas.  Troy Bike Rescue functions strictly on donations and a sliding scale pay system where patrons are asked to pay for specific items based on what it is worth to them and what they can afford.  This sliding scale pay system applies to the 5 or 6 floor bikes we may have at any one time as well as a small selection of tires, bells, locks, and other very basic bike necessities. 

What we are struggling with is how to become not just a "place to get your bike fixed for free".  How do we handle the swarm of kids, convey a message about WHAT we are doing, and also provide the services needed to keep bikes on the road?

thanks
ryan
troybikerescue
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B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop
336 Rubidge St, Peterborough ON
(705) 775-7227