I understand that sentiment. The folks are learning a trade and more bikes are getting recirculated. I guess it can be a problem because the folks they are selling the bikes to could come to you and learn as well. I've seen people come in with a regular, pick out a bike, then the regular would proceed to build up the bike while the person they came with learns nothing. It's a list opportunity. There are shops with limited access to parts and donated bikes that want their teaching to reach more new people. Then there are shops that need to be financially self supported and lose out because the people buying the bikes could be supporting the shop instead. You really have to step back. If individuals are causing problems in you shop they really need to be dealt with individually. If they aren't really causing a problem except that they are using your space and taking advantage of your generosity look at the wholistic effect. Are they really growing and developing a useful skill? Are more bikes reaching the community? Will new general policies harm the feel of the space and turn others away who you are trying to reach? Are these problem patrons perhaps introducing new people to the shop? It's a difficult situation and in many ways you have to suspend your urge to have things feel fair. 

Enzo Loconte
Board Secretary
Bikerowave

On Oct 14, 2013, at 9:25 PM, Vernon Huffman <vernonhuffman@yahoo.com> wrote:

I believe we're in agreement, Joanne. Bicycles are a great tool for recovery. They save money and provide exercise.

From: Joanne Mule

Cash will always be a scarce resource, if one can learn a skill such as building a bike, it makes better use of the non-cash resources.  We all have it tough in a tough economy.  Even a drug addict can learn to use that skill and make the best of it.  Addiction is a difficult habit to break.  But outright stealing shows that they have no skill whatsoever nor any desire to right the wrong.  Everyone has it rough from time to time.  It is what we do during those times that can make us stronger.
 

From: vernon huffman

First off, we need to recognize that none of us is perfect and each of us has the capacity to do something worthwhile, even if life has been especially rough so far. I'm not here to judge anybody. If you're nice to me and help build the organization, we can work together.

Then again, I'm a volunteer. I don't owe you anything. If you want help getting your ride together, you'd better be respectful to everybody around here. We want everybody to learn to fix bikes and apply that knowledge toward putting more bikes onto the streets. If you want to join in that effort, there's always room, but if you've got a bigger problem to deal with, go do that first.

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