One issue that we run into here in SLC, is the seasons. During the summer, bikes move faster, so we need more functional space than storage space. Then in the winter it reverses, bikes move slower, so we need more storage space than functional space. Building a space to transition is really hard, because it means you can't bolt things down, or build them to be fixed in place.

Aside from that, each building has a different layout and size, so it is hard to say.

The ideal for our problem above would be a bigger space (currently almost 3k sq ft.) that was divided into three sections: office / meeting areas, overflow storage space, shop space, and at times it would be great if we even had a separate educational space -- so we wouldn't have a conflict with do-it-yourself nights and classes.

• We elevated our checkout area so it overlooks the entire shop.
• We have tried to position everything so it stays "open" eliminating as

many blind spots in the shop as possible.

• Work benches are short to keep the shop "open" feeling as well as

encourage people to talk to each other (help).

• We moved away from using large milk crates for parts to smaller parts

bins, this means there are more bins, but it is easier to lift, and get to the parts on the bottom. This also meant the shelves they go on are 1' away from the wall instead of 3'. So we gained 2' of the shop back.

• Anything we had a choice of puting on hooks or in bins, we put on hooks.
• Wheels are hanging from the ceiling. 8' 2x4s with bike hooks every so

often, we use a long prongs to put wheels up and pull them down.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org

Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/

The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

On Thu, Jan 8, 2009 at 10:19 AM, mike eng meng@recycleabike.org wrote:

Hi. Sorry I've been a stranger on this list as of late. But Here at Recycle-a-Bike in Providence, RI, we're working on a design of a new home for our program. I've teamed with an interior architecture grad student and an architecture grad student at a local design school who are awesome and excited about the project. We have a small plot of land set aside for it, and we will be designing and building our new home from the ground up.

So we are starting our research, and I'm putting the question out to the list - Do folks have design examples of their shops to share? or insights as to what works and what doesn't in the usage of your shops? Any other thoughts about design / construction?

I've taken a look at Austin Yellow Bike's new spacehttp://www.austinyellowbike.org/webberville_shop_images.htmon their website and the "shop organizationhttp://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shop_Organization" page on the Bike Collective Wiki, both of which were helpful, but what would be useful for us at this point is more thinking on the whole building scale. If people have info to contribute, I'd suggest putting it on said shop organizationhttp://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shop_Organization page on the Bike Collective Wiki so that it's there for everyone to refer to.

I'll be posting progress on our blog as we go (nothing up there yet).

Thanks!

Mike Eng www.recycleabike.org www.octopusroad.com

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