I'm doing bike repair as a form of 'social cohesie' work in the ( government owned) Immigrant warehouse apartment buildings of Amsterdam. I'm struck by this similarity..

Almost new, unridable Chinese-made kids' bikes … I'm constantly wrestling with bad V-brakes and chains that fall off inside fully enclosed chain guards.

Most Dutch bikes are too tall for the adult immigrants, and many of them have not held a screwdriver in their hands before. Many people don't even know what part of the bike to look at when something goes wrong…

(However it's great to work in their neighborhoods and get to know people.)

We are losing a lot of people to scooter ridership. Are you in the Americas also seeing this?

Wendy Monroe De Fiets Fee

On 22 Mar 2012, at 05:19, Jeff Neven wrote:

I work in the affordable housing sector. What do you want to know?

My suggestion is to go, spend time with people. Ask lots of questions about what their transportation needs are and ask what it would take for them to ride a bike and if that would help. If you don't ride a bike, why not? Take your time and build relationships. The best way to get to meet people is to do an onsite bike tune-up day. Poster the buildings and get all your volunteers to offer free bike repair. You will meet lots of people, have fun, get people on bikes and have your questions answered.

We are working with inner city schools to increase ridership and the common concerns are road safety (low safety skills, cars or sketchy people on the way), bike safety (disrepair, theft or vandalism) and pride (I don't want anyone to see me riding an old bike). Our experience is that most kids have a bike but for some reason, they are not rideable. (Often they are fairly new department store bikes that are still not rideable.)

Jeff Neven New Hope Bike Co-op Hamilton, ON

Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:20:31 -0500 From: micah@cyclesforchange.org To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] Partnering with public housing

Does anyone have any experience working with public housing? We were approached to coordinate programming around increasing ridership among public housing patrons. I appreciate any advice that you may be able to offer. Sincerely, Micah Thompson

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Micah Thompson LCI #3275 Youth Programs Coordinator Cycles for Change neé (Sibley Bike Depot) 712 University Ave W, St. Paul, Mn 55104 651-222-2080 419-601-3189 (cell phone) Cycles for Change's mission is to be an open, accessible space to educate and empower people to use bicycles as transportation, helping to build a sustainable environment and community. Volunteer with us to help build a bicycling movement in the Twin Cities!

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I agree with Matt on all counts! Community Cycles has worked with public (govt funded) housing and private "public" (low-income affordable) housing for years.

It's a win-win for us all - carries out our mission and has positive impact on communities that are often marginalized or intentionally silent (we have a lot of undocumented immigrants in our community).

Of course, I'm not familiar with your area, but our public housing has a community center with programs that target seniors, youth, women, etc. A great plus if you're looking to branch out and focus on any of these subgroups in the neighborhood.

Happy to chat more off-list if you have other more specific questions.

Wanda

PS. Loving the new logo and name!

Wanda Pelegrina Caldas Community Cycles, Boulder's only non-profit bike shop Become a member today. using the secure online donation form. Thanks!!

To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org From: mfen651@aol.com Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:49:52 -0400 Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Partnering with public housing

Micah,

I am a life long cyclist and former public housing assistant executive director, and court liaison. I can assure you that most any public housing agency would welcome a phone call from you to discuss arranging a sit down to create and foster the relationships you seek.

Within the public housing world there are multiple constituents including but not limited to seniors, middle aged, and of course youngsters.

At all levels bike education is going to be an issue that not only needs to be addressed, but creates an opportunity to build a rapport with the different sectors.

Bicycles as they related to health including balance, mobility, and weight loss or maintenance is another that will appeal to many in public housing.

Bicycle maintenance is yet another....three multi-facetted opportunities to come and get to know public housing residents on their "turf".

I wish you well, and welcome your response if I can be of further assistance.

Matt Fenichel

Cycle First Health and Wellness

-----Original Message-----

From: Micah Thompson micah@cyclesforchange.org

To: thethinktank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

Sent: Wed, Mar 21, 2012 1:23 pm

Subject: [TheThinkTank] Partnering with public housing

Does anyone have any experience working with public housing? We were approached to coordinate programming around increasing ridership among public housing patrons. I appreciate any advice that you may be able to offer.

Sincerely,

Micah Thompson