Folks, I’m sorry. I’ve been trying very hard to stay on top of the blog, the Re-Bicycle Lenawee project, the co-op, and umpteen other things, but I’m having a hard go of it. A lot of you have been asking for updates on the RBL project, and, more than that, many want specifics on how they can donate bikes and equipment and when they can come down to the shop to wrench on bikes. You’re right to ask, and it makes good sense, in my humble opinion, to look to this blog for information. Unfortunately, that information has been lacking. All I can say is that we really are working on it, and our hope is that the enthusiasm, interest, and momentum on your part will not wane.
Meanwhile, here’s a detailed update on the operations side of things from Jim Manley. And you might also want to take note of the Wiki we’ve set up help us navigate efficiently the countless details that come with an undertaking such as this. You can find the wiki by clicking here. Please join the conversation.
Re-Bicycle Lenawee Operations Group
Update: 11-Oct-10 by Jim Manley (517) 918-5600Bicycle Donations
Last week all the donors and supporters with donations were contacted to arrange pick up. The building will be open on Saturday from 8:30 AM to Noon for donor deliveries. We should encourage people to bring the bicycles to us if at all possible. For the donors that can’t bring the bicycles to 216 S. Center, we will arrange a pick up. Wednesdays will be the target day for all pick-ups, but if there is enough volunteer support, other times and days can be arranged. We should encourage our donors to accommodate the collection in two ways.
First, if they can leave the bicycle in a accessible spot on their property, such as a porch or driveway, this would make the collection times and routes more efficient. We will have to mail the donation receipt and trust the bicycle will not be stolen. I had very little problem collecting bicycles this way on the United Day of Action and I think we should continue to encourage the practice. Secondly, we need to record and email the complete donor information to the collection coordinator. For now, Jim Manley (email) will be the collection coordinator.
The complete information includes: Full Name, Address for mapping, contact telephone number for confirmation, number and type of bicycles, and email address. This information is critical for good service, thank you communications, building a support base, and keeping in contact with our network of supporters.
Volunteer Work at 216 South Center
The building was open on Saturday, October 9th, from 8:30 AM to Noon. I had two volunteers show up to work. Will is a professional bicycle mechanic and business owner from Morenci. Gary restores vintage bicycles and is a local Adrian business owner. We spent the morning sorting through the inventory and doing a second level sort and store. Both guys worked very hard and we appreciate their service. Bicycles that are client appropriate are stored in accessible rows in the middle room of the building. Bicycles and parts that are better utilized for raising our cash reserves are sequestered near the office space. Tools, parts, and benches are ready to be put in place as we set up operations. Neil, a good friend of Gary who also restores used bicycles, came by and was quite impressed with our accomplishments so far.
Gary and I were able to follow the Consumer Energy instructions and get the power operational. We have lights! We need to purchase additional light bulbs and fluorescent tubes to replace the burned outs. We may be able to convince Lowes or another local business to meet these needs if someone can volunteer to contact them. It makes it so much easier and safer to operate in the building with the illumination.
On Sunday, October 10th, Bill and I rode the Kiwanis Trail from Tecumseh to the building. Bill is the bicycle mechanic form Clinton who donated parts, tools and his time all day on the United Way Day of Action. We discussed possible shop arrangements and I will bring those suggestions to the larger board at our next meeting. Essentially, we can clean, paint, and make efficient cold storage in the garage door room of the building while the bicycles are stored in the middle room. Completing that, we can move the bicycles to the cold storage area and begin collecting donations in that space. With the middle room clear, we can design and set up the work spaces for refurbishing the suitable client bicycles. The third area in front of the office can become the education and meeting room. With enough support, this can be complete by the end of the current month.
Bill, Gary, and Will have all agreed to work on processing bicycles in their own facilities until we get the building operational and liability insurance. We have our first set of community volunteers! Jim Splitt is the pastor of First Presbyterian of Adrian, the church across from the police station downtown. On October 26th, a Tuesday night, the youth group and parents have volunteered to work at the building for two hours. The church has a process to provide liability insurance for the entire group. The operations group needs to decide what tasks they can do to help us get operational. It will require buying paint and cleaning supplies.
Bruce Arnold contacted me last week regarding our general plans with respect to heating, water, electric power, cleaning, painting, and our target date to begin working in the building. At his suggestion, I sent him pictures of a wood burner he may want to install in the building for heat. Without continuous heat, he will winterize the pipes and bathrooms before the end of the month. We need to keep him updated on the building progress each week through one person for clear communication. I will take that responsibility with board approval.
On October 21st, a Thursday evening, we will hold our first operations group volunteer meeting. The meeting will be at the Centre (formerly the Christina Family Centre) and details will be forthcoming. The goal of the meeting is to let potential volunteers and supporters know what our goals and needs are, create a working group, and organize our efforts. A firm agenda will be provided at the board meeting this week.
Resource Activities
Finally, I attended the annual Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance meeting last Thursday evening, October 8th in Lansing. What a great event! The group has accomplished so much and it encouraged me that a focused group can make a difference. Nancy Krupiarz is the Executive Director and put on a fantastic presentation. I met a lot of great contacts at the meeting and discovered some great resources for Re-Bicycle Lenawee and the Kiwanis Trail. Safe Routes to Schools and Complete Streets are successful programs that can work well with our phase one vision. As we expand into a co-operative bicycle shop and loaner bicycles for the general population, we need to stay in close contact with MTGA, League of Michigan Bicyclists, and several national organizations.
This Week
Last week I contacted Scott TenBrink in Jackson and he was pleased to tell me about their new location. Tonight a few of us are going to his shop to see the layout and review his operational documentation. We should maintain a close working relationship with Scott and Corey (his shop manager) as we have similar vision, goals, and challenges. Not only that, but their enthusiasm is contagious and boosts my own energy level! We will collect approximately 15 bicycles this week and process 12 current donations.
Lydia, despite her cast, taps into her little suitcase of courage.
I find this all very exciting!
While my time off is scarce, I am anxious to get involved. I’ll keep you informed by E-mail as to my days off Jim. Please let me know what I can do for the cause …
I did some work at the RBL last night.
I can vouch that the water & power are indeed turned on. The work and storage areas are now set up as such, as is the front “hang out, read & drink coffee area”. We’re going to need more folding chairs, bike reading material and a coffee pot to make that area a reality though, so donations of those items are in need please. Also a standing bookshelf would work well I think.
There is still much to be done, but I feel there’s enough there to get our operations started once we set up some regular hours to be open along with a sign out front. I’ll be bringing in my bike tools on a loan basis as well for use too.
I look forward to seeing you at the RBL, Bill.
Jim and I did some more work at the RBL on Wednesday the 11th. I feel we increased the storage capacity and accessibility for stored bikes greatly! We also have many important bike tools onsite now as well, ready for your use. There are still things that need to get done, but for all intent and purposes, bikes can now be worked on.
Till we’re open on a normal basis each week, you’ll have to get with Jim at jbmanley@gmail.com and set up a time and date to use the shop, but it shouldn’t be too long till we’ll have regular hours for the days we’ll be open for walk-in’s.
Items we need donated;
1.) A coffee pot to make coffee in.
2.) Coffee, creamer and sugar for the coffee.
3.) An up-right vacuum cleaner for the short carpet.
4.) Toilet paper for the bathroom.
5.) Folding chairs.
6.) Anyone who can make us a 4’ x 8’ sign for the shop out front.
7.) Items that can be used as work benches or plywood so we can make
our own.
8.) New bike tubes, cables, brake pads and tires etc.
Most of all we need people that need what we can offer them. We can help folks fix and maintain their bikes and be a place where likeminded bike people can socialize. So come on down!
All are welcome as long as they bring a love of bikes!
We now have a phone number for the Re-Bicycle Lenawee at (517) 759-1427.
Jim tells me it’s a “skipe” number and has something to do with computers that I still can’t seem to get my head around, but I just called it and left a message, so I guess it’s doing what it’s supposed to do.
ALSO, Jim tells me there will be a open house for the Re-Bicycle Lenawee on December 10th!
Stay tuned for details…