New community cycleworks need top tips!
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.
Stewart, congratulations on getting started!
My top three lessons learned:
Don't worry about a shortage of used bikes. Once the word gets
out, you'll be flooded. In fact, you should plan on processing them quickly so you don't get buried.
When somebody donates a bike or gets their bike worked on, point to
your donation jar and ask them to put in what they can or what they feel the service is worth. In the case of a donation, I tell people we put on average $20 of material into each rebuild, and could use some help covering those costs.
Use the Bike Collectives wiki. There are tons of good ideas there.
http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
Good luck!
Doug Franz, President
BikeWorks_3_wText
coatesvillebikeworks.org http://coatesvillebikeworks.org/
like us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleBikeWorks
doug@coatesvillebikeworks.org
610-383-4349
I respect your right to manage the amount of email you receive. If you want to be removed from this email list, please reply to ONLY ME, with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
From: thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Stewart Vanns Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 7:25 AM To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.
- when building a system for your organization, remember that it's easier
to scale down than scale up. so while the solution you come up with for processing bikes or storing fenders may work for 10 bikes per month, it may crumble under the metaphorical weight of 100 in a month. try to think forward and anticipate growth this way, so that the growth and demand can come and be controlled instead of a burden.
- keep communication lines open with the people who are working there, but
remember your audience. it's vital to keep in touch with all of your core volunteers, staff members paid or unpaid, as well as board members and clients. the message or lines of communication should obviously be different for each of those, but it's important to be in a constant state of feedback/adjustment for what's working for people and what's working for the organization.
- be logical about tool acquisition. don't go out and buy a full set of
professional tools yet if you're not ready. why spend $500 for a bottom bracket tap and facing set now, that's only going to sit around unused or worse, get misused and damaged, while you stress about paying the rent? better to be frugal in the beginning, build the tool set as you can afford/see the need, and build a better infrastructure that can easily afford a $500 tool in 6 months. don't think you have to purchase brand new tools in order to be effective. solicit local bike shops, mechanics, and other for their unused tools, and put those to work. don't forget to include that you'll accept tools as well as bikes as donations in your organization. 3.1 (sneaking this one in): if there's something you need, don't be shy about asking for it from your community of supporters. remember that everyone involved with your group has a circle of friends they can reach out to, and THOSE people have circles of their own. USE these strong, already-established connections as much as you can.
good luck! keep us posted on your progress.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 8:07 AM, Doug Franz doug@coatesvillebikeworks.orgwrote:
Stewart, congratulations on getting started! ****
My top three lessons learned:****
**1) ** Don’t worry about a shortage of used bikes. Once the word gets out, you’ll be flooded. In fact, you should plan on processing them quickly so you don’t get buried.****
**2) **When somebody donates a bike or gets their bike worked on, point to your donation jar and ask them to put in what they can or what they feel the service is worth. In the case of a donation, I tell people we put on average $20 of material into each rebuild, and could use some help covering those costs.****
**3) **Use the Bike Collectives wiki. There are tons of good ideas there. http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page****
Good luck!****
Doug Franz, President****
[image: BikeWorks_3_wText]****
coatesvillebikeworks.org****
like us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleBikeWorks****
doug@coatesvillebikeworks.org****
610-383-4349****
I respect your right to manage the amount of email you receive. If you want to be removed from this email list, please reply to ONLY ME, with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. ****
*From:* thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org [mailto: thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org] *On Behalf Of *Stewart Vanns *Sent:* Wednesday, October 17, 2012 7:25 AM *To:* thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org *Subject:* [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!****
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.****
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls. ****
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.****
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income. ****
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.****
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.****
Thanks in advance,****
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.****
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Josh's 3rd point is really good. To add to it there are other tools that are non-destructive (aka NOT vice grips) That can do the same work as the fancy dedicated tools. For example an adjustable wrench can remove almost every thing on a bike, including pedals. but there are some tools that just make life easier, crank puller, pedal wrench, cotter pin remover. I would suggest getting the essential tools that would be critical in mos occasions, my suggestions are: adjustable wrenches, hex keys, pliers, spoke wrenches, screwdrivers, freewheel removers (suntor 2 & 4, bmx, and shimano), chain break, and a hammer.
At our shop in troy,ny we have shops closing due to people retiring with out an heir to their shop, so we've gotten lucky on some of out obscure tools. Best one so far has been a cotter pin press (used to mushroom and mangle cotter pins on removal with a hammer). Also if you have a welder in your group don't be afraid to start making tools. We had a headset press that worked great for a few years that was a crank arm welded to a threaded rod, some hefty washers and a nut.
Hope you the best!
On 17 October 2012 08:19, veganboyjosh@gmail.com wrote:
- when building a system for your organization, remember that it's easier
to scale down than scale up. so while the solution you come up with for processing bikes or storing fenders may work for 10 bikes per month, it may crumble under the metaphorical weight of 100 in a month. try to think forward and anticipate growth this way, so that the growth and demand can come and be controlled instead of a burden.
- keep communication lines open with the people who are working there,
but remember your audience. it's vital to keep in touch with all of your core volunteers, staff members paid or unpaid, as well as board members and clients. the message or lines of communication should obviously be different for each of those, but it's important to be in a constant state of feedback/adjustment for what's working for people and what's working for the organization.
- be logical about tool acquisition. don't go out and buy a full set of
professional tools yet if you're not ready. why spend $500 for a bottom bracket tap and facing set now, that's only going to sit around unused or worse, get misused and damaged, while you stress about paying the rent? better to be frugal in the beginning, build the tool set as you can afford/see the need, and build a better infrastructure that can easily afford a $500 tool in 6 months. don't think you have to purchase brand new tools in order to be effective. solicit local bike shops, mechanics, and other for their unused tools, and put those to work. don't forget to include that you'll accept tools as well as bikes as donations in your organization. 3.1 (sneaking this one in): if there's something you need, don't be shy about asking for it from your community of supporters. remember that everyone involved with your group has a circle of friends they can reach out to, and THOSE people have circles of their own. USE these strong, already-established connections as much as you can.
good luck! keep us posted on your progress.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 8:07 AM, Doug Franz <doug@coatesvillebikeworks.org
wrote:
Stewart, congratulations on getting started! ****
My top three lessons learned:****
**1) ** Don’t worry about a shortage of used bikes. Once the word gets out, you’ll be flooded. In fact, you should plan on processing them quickly so you don’t get buried.****
**2) **When somebody donates a bike or gets their bike worked on, point to your donation jar and ask them to put in what they can or what they feel the service is worth. In the case of a donation, I tell people we put on average $20 of material into each rebuild, and could use some help covering those costs.****
**3) **Use the Bike Collectives wiki. There are tons of good ideas there. http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page****
Good luck!****
Doug Franz, President****
[image: BikeWorks_3_wText]****
coatesvillebikeworks.org****
like us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/CoatesvilleBikeWorks****
doug@coatesvillebikeworks.org****
610-383-4349****
I respect your right to manage the amount of email you receive. If you want to be removed from this email list, please reply to ONLY ME, with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. ****
*From:* thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org [mailto: thethinktank-bounces@lists.bikecollectives.org] *On Behalf Of *Stewart Vanns *Sent:* Wednesday, October 17, 2012 7:25 AM *To:* thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org *Subject:* [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!****
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.****
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls. ****
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.****
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income. ****
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.****
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.****
Thanks in advance,****
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.****
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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it also goes without saying to scour the crap out of Sheldonbrown.com. there is a wealth of information there that CANNOT be underestimated. including some amazing ways to use leverage and physics to your advantage. (his diy bottom bracket cup remover is still one of the best "hardware hack=better than a bike tool" things i've ever seen on the internet.)
ok, i'll sit on my hands and let some others give their input now.
Our (new, similar) project is located in a low-income neighborhood. We opened in the late summer -- so, after the heavy sales season -- but we find that we receive far more requests from people for us to buy bikes from them than for them to buy bikes from us. We could go broke buying bikes. This has fortified our "no buying bikes" policy, toward which we were already leaning. It also keeps us from strengthening the stolen bikes business, and protects us from the ire of stolen bikes victims.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.comwrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director
Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
Earn-a-Bike program: 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
Retail shop: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director
Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
Earn-a-Bike program: 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
Retail shop: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
The Armory Bike Union in Jackson, Michigan shuts down for a few weeks over the holidays, and then just does classes and bike building (no open shop) from January till March. This has less to do with attendance waning and more to do with our building not being heated. A local bike shop let's us build bikes after hours in the winter.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke vanslyke.matthew@gmail.comwrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
*Earn-a-Bike program:* 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.orgnancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
*Retail shop*: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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We're in Ottawa, lots of snow and salt but streets quickly cleared. We're open year-round but do scale our hours back a bit. Last winter I think we had maybe three nights in total where we had no visitors, otherwise there's always someone coming in.
The road salt means you've got to stay on top of maintenance, so winter cyclists (which includes a good chunk of our staff) love having a warm place to do this messy work. Not to mention access to cheap parts to keep one's winter steed running.
The colder weather is also when we get caught up on our backlog and get bikes ready for Spring, as during the busy season the DIYers take up most of our time.
Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca
On 2012-10-17, at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke wrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director
Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
Earn-a-Bike program: 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
Retail shop: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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Josh's number 3 point is essential. Especially if your open hours are going to divide your core members. If you can afford to, start with fewer hours and then ramp up. Just so all your early members are working together and its easy to work things out as they happen, rather than at a weekly, or monthly meeting.
and... (this is an odd one) eat together. have a weekly dinner, or lunch, for everyone at the shop. spending time together without an immediate bicycle-purpose is huge. You will retain volunteers better, they will work better together, and little grievances will get worked out without even trying.
Anibal. BikeSauce, Toronto.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke vanslyke.matthew@gmail.comwrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
*Earn-a-Bike program:* 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.orgnancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
*Retail shop*: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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- Start with the right founders that BELIEVE in your mission statement.
Make sure you have people interested in the harder / boring stuff like accounting and legal work. Other nice to haves would be people with graphic design, technology and business skills. Mechanical skills seem like a logical one too, but realistically mechanics trained by for-profits either don't know how or have trouble working on less expensive bikes and not turning the people away that right them as they would in a for-profit. In Utah our best mechanics have started out as volunteers (believers) before they worked in a for-profit, some of our worst experiences were with "frustrated" for-profit trained mechanics.
- Don't reinvent the wheel. You are a business. You are a bike shop.
You are a non-profit/social enterprise. Accept those facts earlier and you will be able to help more people sooner (per your mission statement). If anything you just add a special twist to those models, which means there are plenty of tried and true systems and methods you should just adopt/steal from the start. Get an accounting system (quickbooks online), get a point of sale system (quickbooks pos), get a volunteer hour system, PAY for a shop space, hire staff to make sure the harder / boring stuff gets done and done on-time, get insurance, file all the necessary legal paperwork, keep money in a safe when it doesn't need to be out. THEN focus on fixing bikes. AKA eat your dinner before your dessert.
- The mission statement is your guiding light. Make sure it is a good
one. It should give you an easy way to say "NO" to energy detracting ideas, that while they may be bike related, are not central to your mission. As you grow, so will your capacity to entertain those ideas, but for starters, pick a few programs/projects close to your mission and do them really well.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.bicyclecollective.org
The mission of the 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 Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Anibal Davila info@bikesauce.org wrote:
Josh's number 3 point is essential. Especially if your open hours are going to divide your core members. If you can afford to, start with fewer hours and then ramp up. Just so all your early members are working together and its easy to work things out as they happen, rather than at a weekly, or monthly meeting.
and... (this is an odd one) eat together. have a weekly dinner, or lunch, for everyone at the shop. spending time together without an immediate bicycle-purpose is huge. You will retain volunteers better, they will work better together, and little grievances will get worked out without even trying.
Anibal. BikeSauce, Toronto.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke <vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com
wrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
*Earn-a-Bike program:* 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.orgnancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
*Retail shop*: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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Regarding the comment regarding the seasonality of bike sales, we find that the winter is the time when we have the time to train our group, and build up our inventory of prepared bikes for the spring. We are not a true bike collective in as much as our main thrust is tend mountain bikes to Africa, but the refurbishing and sales (inexpensively!) of donated 10 speeds and roadsters (not suitable for use in rural Africa) are an important source of funding for us. We also donate some of the refurbished bikes to needy locals on occasion.
Gareth Pritchard, Chair, Bicycles for Humanity Thunder Bay.
----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Morrison To: The Think Tank Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 3:21 PM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
Start with the right founders that BELIEVE in your mission statement. Make sure you have people interested in the harder / boring stuff like accounting and legal work. Other nice to haves would be people with graphic design, technology and business skills. Mechanical skills seem like a logical one too, but realistically mechanics trained by for-profits either don't know how or have trouble working on less expensive bikes and not turning the people away that right them as they would in a for-profit. In Utah our best mechanics have started out as volunteers (believers) before they worked in a for-profit, some of our worst experiences were with "frustrated" for-profit trained mechanics.
Don't reinvent the wheel. You are a business. You are a bike shop. You are a non-profit/social enterprise. Accept those facts earlier and you will be able to help more people sooner (per your mission statement). If anything you just add a special twist to those models, which means there are plenty of tried and true systems and methods you should just adopt/steal from the start. Get an accounting system (quickbooks online), get a point of sale system (quickbooks pos), get a volunteer hour system, PAY for a shop space, hire staff to make sure the harder / boring stuff gets done and done on-time, get insurance, file all the necessary legal paperwork, keep money in a safe when it doesn't need to be out. THEN focus on fixing bikes. AKA eat your dinner before your dessert.
The mission statement is your guiding light. Make sure it is a good one. It should give you an easy way to say "NO" to energy detracting ideas, that while they may be bike related, are not central to your mission. As you grow, so will your capacity to entertain those ideas, but for starters, pick a few programs/projects close to your mission and do them really well.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.bicyclecollective.org
The mission of the 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 Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Anibal Davila info@bikesauce.org wrote:
Josh's number 3 point is essential. Especially if your open hours are going to divide your core members. If you can afford to, start with fewer hours and then ramp up. Just so all your early members are working together and its easy to work things out as they happen, rather than at a weekly, or monthly meeting.
and... (this is an odd one) eat together.
have a weekly dinner, or lunch, for everyone at the shop. spending time together without an immediate bicycle-purpose is huge. You will retain volunteers better, they will work better together, and little grievances will get worked out without even trying.
Anibal.
BikeSauce, Toronto.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke <vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com> wrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson <freewheelinbikes@gmail.com> wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director
Freewheelin' Community Bikes
3355 Central Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46205
http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
Earn-a-Bike program:
317-431-7951
mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
Retail shop:
Phone: 926-5440
Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday
CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns <stewartvanns@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart
Burgess community cycleworks.
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Thank you all so much for your insight and advice, it is very encouraging. Keep it coming!
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 3:33 PM, garethpritchard@shaw.ca wrote:
Regarding the comment regarding the seasonality of bike sales, we find that the winter is the time when we have the time to train our group, and build up our inventory of prepared bikes for the spring. We are not a true bike collective in as much as our main thrust is tend mountain bikes to Africa, but the refurbishing and sales (inexpensively!) of donated 10 speeds and roadsters (not suitable for use in rural Africa) are an important source of funding for us. We also donate some of the refurbished bikes to needy locals on occasion.
Gareth Pritchard, Chair, Bicycles for Humanity Thunder Bay.
----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Morrison To: The Think Tank Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 3:21 PM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
Start with the right founders that BELIEVE in your mission statement. Make sure you have people interested in the harder / boring stuff like accounting and legal work. Other nice to haves would be people with graphic design, technology and business skills. Mechanical skills seem like a logical one too, but realistically mechanics trained by for-profits either don't know how or have trouble working on less expensive bikes and not turning the people away that right them as they would in a for-profit. In Utah our best mechanics have started out as volunteers (believers) before they worked in a for-profit, some of our worst experiences were with "frustrated" for-profit trained mechanics.
Don't reinvent the wheel. You are a business. You are a bike shop. You are a non-profit/social enterprise. Accept those facts earlier and you will be able to help more people sooner (per your mission statement). If anything you just add a special twist to those models, which means there are plenty of tried and true systems and methods you should just adopt/steal from the start. Get an accounting system (quickbooks online), get a point of sale system (quickbooks pos), get a volunteer hour system, PAY for a shop space, hire staff to make sure the harder / boring stuff gets done and done on-time, get insurance, file all the necessary legal paperwork, keep money in a safe when it doesn't need to be out. THEN focus on fixing bikes. AKA eat your dinner before your dessert.
The mission statement is your guiding light. Make sure it is a good one. It should give you an easy way to say "NO" to energy detracting ideas, that while they may be bike related, are not central to your mission. As you grow, so will your capacity to entertain those ideas, but for starters, pick a few programs/projects close to your mission and do them really well.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.bicyclecollective.org
The mission of the 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 Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Anibal Davila info@bikesauce.org wrote:
Josh's number 3 point is essential. Especially if your open hours are going to divide your core members. If you can afford to, start with fewer hours and then ramp up. Just so all your early members are working together and its easy to work things out as they happen, rather than at a weekly, or monthly meeting.
and... (this is an odd one) eat together. have a weekly dinner, or lunch, for everyone at the shop. spending time together without an immediate bicycle-purpose is huge. You will retain volunteers better, they will work better together, and little grievances will get worked out without even trying.
Anibal. BikeSauce, Toronto.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com wrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director
Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
Earn-a-Bike program: 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
Retail shop: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.
I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.
Thanks in advance,
Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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Hi can someone point me to a really good mission statement please for a community cycleworks. We are a newly funded project in South London with a view to becoming a social enterprise with a five year business plan. Very excited and a bit daunted. Recycling, training, Dr Bike, group rides etc. Thanks Matt BC
From: vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 07:30:20 -0400 To: garethpritchard@shaw.ca; thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org CC: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
Thank you all so much for your insight and advice, it is very encouraging. Keep it coming! Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 3:33 PM, garethpritchard@shaw.ca wrote:
Regarding the comment regarding the seasonality of bike sales, we find that the winter is the time when we have the time to train our group, and build up our inventory of prepared bikes for the spring. We are not a true bike collective in as much as our main thrust is tend mountain bikes to Africa, but the refurbishing and sales (inexpensively!) of donated 10 speeds and roadsters (not suitable for use in rural Africa) are an important source of funding for us. We also donate some of the refurbished bikes to needy locals on occasion.
Gareth Pritchard, Chair, Bicycles for Humanity Thunder Bay.
----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Morrison To: The Think Tank Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 3:21 PM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
- Start with the right founders that BELIEVE in your mission statement.
Make sure you have people interested in the harder / boring stuff like accounting and legal work. Other nice to haves would be people with graphic design, technology and business skills. Mechanical skills seem like a logical one too, but realistically mechanics trained by for-profits either don't know how or have trouble working on less expensive bikes and not turning the people away that right them as they would in a for-profit. In Utah our best mechanics have started out as volunteers (believers) before they worked in a for-profit, some of our worst experiences were with "frustrated" for-profit trained mechanics.
- Don't reinvent the wheel. You are a business. You are a
bike shop. You are a non-profit/social enterprise. Accept those facts earlier and you will be able to help more people sooner (per your mission statement). If anything you just add a special twist to those models, which means there are plenty of tried and true systems and methods you should just adopt/steal from the start. Get an accounting system (quickbooks online), get a point of sale system (quickbooks pos), get a volunteer hour system, PAY for a shop space, hire staff to make sure the harder / boring stuff gets done and done on-time, get insurance, file all the necessary legal paperwork, keep money in a safe when it doesn't need to be out. THEN focus on fixing bikes. AKA eat your dinner before your dessert.
- The mission statement is your guiding light. Make sure it is a
good one. It should give you an easy way to say "NO" to energy detracting ideas, that while they may be bike related, are not central to your mission. As you grow, so will your capacity to entertain those ideas, but for starters, pick a few programs/projects close to your mission and do them really well. Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.bicyclecollective.org
The mission of the 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 Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Anibal Davila info@bikesauce.org wrote:
Josh's number 3 point is essential. Especially if your open hours are going to divide your core members. If you can afford to, start with fewer hours and then ramp up. Just so all your early members are working together and its easy to work things out as they happen, rather than at a weekly, or monthly meeting.
and... (this is an odd one) eat together. have a weekly dinner, or lunch, for everyone at the shop. spending time together without an immediate bicycle-purpose is huge. You will retain volunteers better, they will work better together, and little grievances will get worked out without even trying.
Anibal. BikeSauce, Toronto.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke <vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com> wrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory
phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few
good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder
if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear
is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a
seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive
Director
Freewheelin' Community
Bikes
3355 Central
Avenue
Indianapolis, IN
46205
http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
Earn-a-Bike
program:
317-431-7951
mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
Retail
shop:
Phone:
926-5440
Hours: 10-6,
Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday
CLOSED Sunday and
Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns <stewartvanns@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk. I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.
We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year
business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes
and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local
residents of low income.
We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate
children in basic cycle maintenance.
We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested
people. Thanks in advance, Stewart Burgess community cycleworks. _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
_______________________________________________
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Matt,
the Community Bike Shop Directory is a list of about 200 organizations who have submitted their info, including some who have posted their mission statements. you can view this document here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0Ar4uqyu2es-YdEVvMWFNVDlyRm8wQ2d...
you'll want to scroll to the right, all the way to column AC to see the mission statements, but hopefully the ones which are posted will help.
On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 8:14 AM, Matt Beale-Collins mattbc@hotmail.comwrote:
Hi can someone point me to a really good mission statement please for a community cycleworks. We are a newly funded project in South London with a view to becoming a social enterprise with a five year business plan. Very excited and a bit daunted. Recycling, training, Dr Bike, group rides etc.
Thanks
Matt BC
From: vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 07:30:20 -0400 To: garethpritchard@shaw.ca; thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org CC: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
Thank you all so much for your insight and advice, it is very encouraging. Keep it coming!
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 3:33 PM, garethpritchard@shaw.ca wrote:
Regarding the comment regarding the seasonality of bike sales, we find that the winter is the time when we have the time to train our group, and build up our inventory of prepared bikes for the spring. We are not a true bike collective in as much as our main thrust is tend mountain bikes to Africa, but the refurbishing and sales (inexpensively!) of donated 10 speeds and roadsters (not suitable for use in rural Africa) are an important source of funding for us. We also donate some of the refurbished bikes to needy locals on occasion.
Gareth Pritchard, Chair, Bicycles for Humanity Thunder Bay.
----- Original Message ----- *From:* Jonathan Morrison jonathan@bicyclecollective.org *To:* The Think Tank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org *Sent:* Wednesday, October 17, 2012 3:21 PM *Subject:* Re: [TheThinkTank] New community cycleworks need top tips!
- Start with the right founders that BELIEVE in your mission statement.
Make sure you have people interested in the harder / boring stuff like accounting and legal work. Other nice to haves would be people with graphic design, technology and business skills. Mechanical skills seem like a logical one too, but realistically mechanics trained by for-profits either don't know how or have trouble working on less expensive bikes and not turning the people away that right them as they would in a for-profit. In Utah our best mechanics have started out as volunteers (believers) before they worked in a for-profit, some of our worst experiences were with "frustrated" for-profit trained mechanics.
- Don't reinvent the wheel. You are a business. You are a bike shop.
You are a non-profit/social enterprise. Accept those facts earlier and you will be able to help more people sooner (per your mission statement). If anything you just add a special twist to those models, which means there are plenty of tried and true systems and methods you should just adopt/steal from the start. Get an accounting system (quickbooks online), get a point of sale system (quickbooks pos), get a volunteer hour system, PAY for a shop space, hire staff to make sure the harder / boring stuff gets done and done on-time, get insurance, file all the necessary legal paperwork, keep money in a safe when it doesn't need to be out. THEN focus on fixing bikes. AKA eat your dinner before your dessert.
- The mission statement is your guiding light. Make sure it is a good
one. It should give you an easy way to say "NO" to energy detracting ideas, that while they may be bike related, are not central to your mission. As you grow, so will your capacity to entertain those ideas, but for starters, pick a few programs/projects close to your mission and do them really well.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.bicyclecollective.org
The mission of the 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 Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM, Anibal Davila info@bikesauce.orgwrote:
Josh's number 3 point is essential. Especially if your open hours are going to divide your core members. If you can afford to, start with fewer hours and then ramp up. Just so all your early members are working together and its easy to work things out as they happen, rather than at a weekly, or monthly meeting.
and... (this is an odd one) eat together. have a weekly dinner, or lunch, for everyone at the shop. spending time together without an immediate bicycle-purpose is huge. You will retain volunteers better, they will work better together, and little grievances will get worked out without even trying.
Anibal. BikeSauce, Toronto.
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke <vanslyke.matthew@gmail.com
wrote:
These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany.
Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?
Matt V.
On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson freewheelinbikes@gmail.com wrote:
I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.
Nancy Stimson, Executive Director Freewheelin' Community Bikes 3355 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205 http://www.freewheelinbikes.org
*Earn-a-Bike program:* 317-431-7951 mailto:nancystimson@freewheelinbikes.orgnancystimson@freewheelinbikes.org
*Retail shop*: Phone: 926-5440 Hours: 10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday CLOSED Sunday and Monday
On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns stewartvanns@gmail.com wrote:
Hi, We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk. I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls. We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.
The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income. We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance. We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people. Thanks in advance, Stewart Burgess community cycleworks.
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participants (13)
-
Affordable Bikes Re-Cyclery -
Anibal Davila -
Doug Franz -
Dylan Thies -
garethpritchard＠shaw.ca -
Jonathan Morrison -
Mark Rehder -
Matt Beale-Collins -
Matt VanSlyke -
Nancy Stimson -
Scott TenBrink -
Stewart Vanns -
veganboyjosh＠gmail.com