Cavi,

In my "other life" I am a "building science" professional. Air standards, circulation and HVAC are all part of the job, as is safety, which is the flip side of my facilities safety officer tasks.

So regarding the ventilation, I would suggest talking with your local utility, this should not upset and possibly please your landlord. They will come out and actually test the basement (or the building if you'd like) to check for air circulation health, as well as potential for mold, mildew or other nasties that an hang out in basements type areas. They can also advise on options to introduce forced air circulation is need be, and the great part is, if they do it, you can often get incentives on it. So that should help you with that aspect of your relocation.

Regarding the steps and ramp. My first bike store job was in a basement located retail store that was actually one of the largest in the region at the time. There no less than a 8 concrete steps to go down or up to get in or out of the store. We never had an issue to speak of. We did however have gipper paint on the steps and "no slip" tread pads on top of that. We had a track we made from 3 2x4's we fashioned into a "U" channel and that worked very well for years upon years. Eventually we remade it out of a steel channel that was like a mess but it really didn't help slow the bike down.

Honestly we never had a problem with it, be it staff or customers. Our staircase we likely somewhat shorter, stil I would see the channel as minimizing the risk of issues anyway. You might want to consider putting a harness (like a shortened dog leash) at the top of the ramp so if someone is insecure and the let go of the bike, its doesn't go far, and its protected.

Just some thoughts. Enjoy! Live well! Be well!

Matt Fen mfen651@aol.com if I can be of further service.

-----Original Message----- From: jeffrey jeffrey@jeffreytong.com To: The Think Tank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Sent: Mon, Jul 27, 2015 1:05 pm Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Tips for basement (stairs!) youth bicycle program

You need to create a "convection" or air-circulation movement.

How much volume a space space is basement?

How much air do you need?

How rapid must air flow be?

(Might need to be mechanical)

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Tips for basement (stairs!) youth bicycle
program
From: bykecollective < bykecollective@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, July 27, 2015 7:11 am
To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

Hello from Baltimore Youth Kinetic Energy (BYKE)!

We are moving to a new and awesome location, but we’ll be in a basement. We might only be there for 1 year, so major renovations aren’t going to happen.

I have two main concerns:

1. Stairs(full flight, medium width)+ young people+bikes without brakes

   -a safe ramp?

   -has anyone tried building a kinetically powered platform elevator?

   -has anyone tried to build a track to secure a bicycle into and then let it fall with style? having some kind of slowing mechanism?

2. Ventilation codes

   -is that for the landlord to figure out?

   -regardless: were there any cheap and easy ways to increase ventilation?

Any other unpredictable lessons learned from those who have held DIY bike workshops in basements?

Thanks!

Chavi

  Chavi Rhodes, MPH     

  Baltimore Youth Kinetic Energy Collective     

  bykecollective@gmail.com     

  (410) 989-3806     

  https://www.facebook.com/BYKECollective     

  https://twitter.com/BYKECollective     

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