That was my thought exactly -- this is where our thoughts headed when we thought about welding. Cargo trailers, that is!

On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 5:20 PM, christopher@holisticcycles.com wrote:

what about building trailers

Christopher Wallace Holistic Cycles 140 Harrison St Oak Park, IL. 60304

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [TheThinkTank] Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes From: "Bronwyn Potthoff" bpotthoff@gwi.net Date: Fri, January 18, 2013 8:55 am To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

Hello, **** We’ve been unsuccessfully trying to secure insurance to initiate a welding/fabrication program through the Community Bicycle Center. Ideally, we’re helping youth develop technical job skills through creating low-rider and chopper bicycles --- but the point of the program is not about bikes, it’s about learning the welding and fabrication skills necessary to create a tricked-out ride. ****

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The major obstacle we hear from insurance companies is that we’re creating a high-risk “Frankenstein” product (or “functional art”) that is extremely hard to insure. As soon as we chop a bike, the manufacturer’s warranty is null and void (for good reason!) The actual welding with kids is not a huge issue – it’s what happens if a weld breaks or a kid injures him/herself going off jump with a bike that is not build to handle such stressors. Waivers and disclaimers will only go so far and are not bullet-proof. Because we’re a commercial entity, it’s obviously not covered under any homeowner’s insurance policy (which would be what covers you if you’re helping your nine year-old neighbor weld a sick mutant bike). Also, vocational school insurance functions differently – I checked that too. ** **

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I may end up having to change the program so that our “product” is not a bike, but something less risky such as a static sculpture. Regardless, does anybody have any experience with securing insurance for commercial (aka nonprofit) welding work with kids during which a “product” gets fabricated? [Keep in mind, all programs are free AND the product created is also free --- no bill of sale is involved] I’ve touched base with other programs around the country that do similar work, but have not heard back.

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Thanks!! If it makes more sense to talk through this via phone, my number is 207 282 9700. ****

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*Bronwyn Potthoff, Resource Development/Community Relations Director* Community Bicycle Center**** (mailing) P.O. Box 783**** (shop) 284 Hill Street**** Biddeford, Maine 04005**** t: 207.282.9700 www.communitybike.net **** [image: Facebook Round]http://www.facebook.com/CommunityBicycleCenter

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*Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow*

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