Wilbur et al.: I have, since my "gut reaction", checked out the info. This does look like a neat idea and project. And it looks credible, based on who Joe is and what he has done in the past. I will always question at first where money is going, but once I see the "proof" and legitimacy, I can be convinced. There are far too many scammers and spammers out there not to be cautious. As for our organization, I always refer people to our website and those who personally know what we do. Word of mouth is the best advertising. I am hoping that Denver is on board for this and that some of the proceeds from the registration will go to the local, legitimate programs for refurbishing of the bikes like Derailer Bicycle Collective
(If this is successful in generating numerous bikes I doubt the program I am associated with could handle such an influx. We are already busy up to our ears!)  Eating humble pie, Bruce

--- On Wed, 6/11/08, Wilbur Ince <Wilbur@Wilbur.us> wrote:
From: Wilbur Ince <Wilbur@Wilbur.us>
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] one million bicycles?
To: bikedadlien@yahoo.com, "The Think Tank" <thethinktank@bikecollectives.org>
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 9:27 AM

Untitled Document Andy, Bruce,

Please check your comments here.  Have you investigated this enough to say the things you did, or are you broadcasting your 'gut reaction'?  If someone said those same things about your organization without really checking out the facts first would you be offended? 

We are all trying to do what we think is right.  We are all trying to help other people.  Creating unwarranted innuendo can have a crushing effect on projects like this. 

Bruce, rather than asserting 'simple math', look into this and return a thoughtful informed report back.  Everyone would love $5 million, but could you deliver 1 million bikes?  That math does not look so good in that light. 

Andy, I totally disagree with your assessment.  I followed the links and read something about the people that are doing this.  To me, it looks like this is being taken on by people who ARE aware of collective bike shops, and have a record of succeeding at local organizing projects.  Read into this, they are building a national movement by doing just what you suggested - becoming more organized and creating a national event and awareness.  They ARE relying on you to do this!  The $5 is to incorporate the masses to participate. 

You people are doing great things out there as collective bike shops!  Whenever you encounter someone: a sponsor, a customer, another organizer, think well of them and treat them with the respect they deserve.  They will see your optimism and react to you in a different way!

Rock on!

Wilbur Ince
Sibley Bike Depot
Saint Paul, Minnesota




Bruce Lien wrote:
I think the essence of this lies in the fact that each person is to register and pay $5 to do so. Simple math says that this times one million will equal $5,000,000. I wish I thought of this. Bruce

--- On Wed, 6/11/08, Andy Dyson <andy@neighborhoodbikeworks.org> wrote:
From: Andy Dyson <andy@neighborhoodbikeworks.org>
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] one million bicycles?
To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank@bikecollectives.org>
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 7:56 AM

I registered.

Remains to be seen if it's a scam.  Looks like it's done by people who are not aware that there are people who are already distributing free bikes (possibly by the million...perhaps we should be more organized and collectively compile our achievements somewhere..  another Bright Idea from Someone who Doesn't have Time to Do It Themselves....).  Either that or they are aware of us and don't care

Who is going to renovate those million bikes?  I try to look at everything as having the potential to be a good partnership for NBW.  This certainly could be, but I can't seem to find a non profit with that name or address.  Anyone can get a .org e-mail.

Certainly would like to see this take off, at least in the form that I imagine it could

Andy



veganboyjosh@gmail.com wrote:
have any of you heard of www.onemillionbicycles.org?

seems like something people on this list could maybe get behind/help out in a big way with...

i just came across the website, and the mission sounds solid. i dunno about the delivery/project specifics.




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Andrew C. Dyson
Executive Director
Neighborhood Bike Works
Increasing opportunities for youth through bicycling


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