The new location of life cycles at Lincoln Mill. Jim has a great space and he has done a lot of hard work to really make the space look great. more pictures here
I have a idea on how to get lights on these bikes for the unfortunate people who can not buy there own. I found this seller on ebay with cheap lights. 4.39 for a set of back and front. check it out. That is with free shipping too.
OK so I made contact with this guy in Hong Kong who sells the lights. I can get a price cut if I buy 100 light sets. For only 3 bucks a pop.
I was thinking of getting donation boxes and putting them at all the bike shops and other establishments that will let me. Then get these guys and gals lights on their bikes.
I almost hit a homeless guy the other night. It was too dark and he NEEDED a light. This will help us get to be safer. I think making sure we got lights on those bikes that get donated to the less unfortunate is a must. I also think giving out lights to the people at the mission and salvation army who use bikes as transportation is a must also.
This can be done. I just wanted to get feedback and maybe some help. I think this would be a great thing for life cycles also. Feedback please.
Derek, I'll throw in twenty and start working on the info fliers and spoke cards I talked about months ago. I think the info and lights should be given out together.
GREAT SPACE JIM!!! I'll stop by next Sunday. Let's see 8:30 - 2? I'll be there at 3:30. Ha! Wait, that's not funny.
great idea derek. let me know if you need any help. i think putting them at local bike shops is a great idea - i think there's a lot of people who care about this issue but don't really know what to do.
jim - the new space is great. tyler and i will definitely be back to help again and we'll bring tools this time. also, do you have some propaganda, donation forms, etc? maybe i could put some stuff up at work and maybe tyler could get the carwash to donate.
Thanks for taking the pics. And thanks for the heads up Derek. I was still with family for the holiday or I would have been there. And anonymous, we do try to educate them, but not everyone is receptive to it. There is one guy that rides against traffic so he'll know ahead of time when people are going to throw stuff at him. The fact that such a thing happens enough to warrant riding like that reflects poorly on the city.
Hey, I did manage to buy some lights BUT here is the problem with lights..they need batteries and the lights have to be waterproof.
Lights are required but they are subject to the variables of a homeless persons life. They do not have garages and they often go to the library in rainy weather. Lights also get stolen, even if you insist that people take them off when they leave their bikes.
I have had this discussion before with many of the people who come to LC. They simply have a problem keeping lights fresh with batteries on their bikes.
A better idea would be to invest in reflective vests and stickers. I usually do my best to see that all bikes have reflectors, but people often hang bags off of their bikes resulting in broken reflectors, same with the rear. This is why I think vests would be the absolute answer to all of these problems...hopefully we can convince people to wear them.
The safety teaching issue: Clint and I make sure people understand what side of the road to ride on. I do tell everyone safety tips. There is a poster at Manna House clearly defining bike safety. Although there is no comprehensive safety class, I agree there should be, and someone NOT named me should get that going at LifeCycles. I have been doing this for over 4 years, I am grateful for all of the volunteers, but rarely do any of them stay for more than a year (excluding Clint and Erin)and more importantly you have to really love it.
Now that I have more free access to a more controllable and secure place I would LOVE for someone to be my partner in making this thing really take off. Meaning they would have keys, use of the space and accesss to shitty bikes and parts.
Put it this way...Life Cycles is now a true cooperative, so it is not just about me doing everything for everyone anymore, in fact I do not let anyone get a bike unless they fix it themselves..with my guidance.
We do have a committed saftey checker in case you are wondering.
see you around and thanks to everyone for their input..this is very welcome!
Right on. Well I see your point Jim. I found reflective vests on ebay for 7.50 with free shipping. I wrote the seller an email to see what he would do for a bulk order. I am willing to do the work. It won't take much. I feel like a douche bag for not helping out sooner. Even If I could get enough money up to buy 50 vests for 50 bikes you guys build. I am sure it will make a dent in the problem.
Thanks derek! Vests also assist in daytime visibility, much better than lights. I know they can be orgered cheaper through companies like Grainger and industrial packaging and supply houses. The cheap ones retail for just 12 bucks, so technically there has to be a wholesale market that sells them for around 6.
Found some orange reflective vests at Forestry Suppliers for $6/ea for orders over 20 and lime green reflective for 6.25/ea. Shipping ends up being about $10-11 for an order of 50. The site is: http://www.forestry-suppliers.com and just type vest into the search bar at the top.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome. so where is lincoln mill? I'd love to volunteer every once in a while
ReplyDeletesearch on google maps you have ridin by it before. I'll send you more photos.
ReplyDeleteSUNDAYS SUNDAYS SUNDAYS!!!! 8:30 AM to 2:00+ PM BEEEEE THERRRE!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tyler!
jimspagg
I have a idea on how to get lights on these bikes for the unfortunate people who can not buy there own. I found this seller on ebay with cheap lights. 4.39 for a set of back and front. check it out. That is with free shipping too.
ReplyDeleteOK so I made contact with this guy in Hong Kong who sells the lights. I can get a price cut if I buy 100 light sets. For only 3 bucks a pop.
I was thinking of getting donation boxes and putting them at all the bike shops and other establishments that will let me. Then get these guys and gals lights on their bikes.
I almost hit a homeless guy the other night. It was too dark and he NEEDED a light. This will help us get to be safer. I think making sure we got lights on those bikes that get donated to the less unfortunate is a must. I also think giving out lights to the people at the mission and salvation army who use bikes as transportation is a must also.
This can be done. I just wanted to get feedback and maybe some help. I think this would be a great thing for life cycles also. Feedback please.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bike-Bicycle-Torch-5-LED-Head-Light-5-Tail-Rear-Lamp_W0QQitemZ280359003624QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4146b2e5e8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1240|293%3A1|294%3A50
great Ideal
ReplyDeleteI hope he educates them in bicycling properly on the road,too. I've seen too many people riding the wrong way and on dangerous sidewalks.
ReplyDeleteI hope he educates them in bicycling properly on the road,too. I've seen too many people riding the wrong way and on dangerous sidewalks.
ReplyDeleteDerek, I'll throw in twenty and start working on the info fliers and spoke cards I talked about months ago. I think the info and lights should be given out together.
ReplyDeleteGREAT SPACE JIM!!! I'll stop by next Sunday. Let's see 8:30 - 2? I'll be there at 3:30. Ha! Wait, that's not funny.
milk
great idea derek. let me know if you need any help. i think putting them at local bike shops is a great idea - i think there's a lot of people who care about this issue but don't really know what to do.
ReplyDeletejim - the new space is great. tyler and i will definitely be back to help again and we'll bring tools this time. also, do you have some propaganda, donation forms, etc? maybe i could put some stuff up at work and maybe tyler could get the carwash to donate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the pics. And thanks for the heads up Derek. I was still with family for the holiday or I would have been there. And anonymous, we do try to educate them, but not everyone is receptive to it. There is one guy that rides against traffic so he'll know ahead of time when people are going to throw stuff at him. The fact that such a thing happens enough to warrant riding like that reflects poorly on the city.
ReplyDeleteHey, I did manage to buy some lights BUT here is the problem with lights..they need batteries and the lights have to be waterproof.
ReplyDeleteLights are required but they are subject to the variables of a homeless persons life. They do not have garages and they often go to the library in rainy weather. Lights also get stolen, even if you insist that people take them off when they leave their bikes.
I have had this discussion before with many of the people who come to LC. They simply have a problem keeping lights fresh with batteries on their bikes.
A better idea would be to invest in reflective vests and stickers. I usually do my best to see that all bikes have reflectors, but people often hang bags off of their bikes resulting in broken reflectors, same with the rear. This is why I think vests would be the absolute answer to all of these problems...hopefully we can convince people to wear them.
The safety teaching issue: Clint and I make sure people understand what side of the road to ride on. I do tell everyone safety tips. There is a poster at Manna House clearly defining bike safety. Although there is no comprehensive safety class, I agree there should be, and someone NOT named me should get that going at LifeCycles. I have been doing this for over 4 years, I am grateful for all of the volunteers, but rarely do any of them stay for more than a year (excluding Clint and Erin)and more importantly you have to really love it.
Now that I have more free access to a more controllable and secure place I would LOVE for someone to be my partner in making this thing really take off. Meaning they would have keys, use of the space and accesss to shitty bikes and parts.
Put it this way...Life Cycles is now a true cooperative, so it is not just about me doing everything for everyone anymore, in fact I do not let anyone get a bike unless they fix it themselves..with my guidance.
We do have a committed saftey checker in case you are wondering.
see you around and thanks to everyone for their input..this is very welcome!
jimspagg
Right on. Well I see your point Jim. I found reflective vests on ebay for 7.50 with free shipping.
ReplyDeleteI wrote the seller an email to see what he would do for a bulk order.
I am willing to do the work. It won't take much. I feel like a douche bag for not helping out sooner. Even If I could get enough money up to buy 50 vests for 50 bikes you guys build. I am sure it will make a dent in the problem.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Velcro-High-Visibility-Traffic-Safety-Reflective-Vest_W0QQitemZ110385905855QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b38340bf&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1240|293%3A1|294%3A50
ReplyDeleteThanks derek! Vests also assist in daytime visibility, much better than lights. I know they can be orgered cheaper through companies like Grainger and industrial packaging and supply houses. The cheap ones retail for just 12 bucks, so technically there has to be a wholesale market that sells them for around 6.
ReplyDeleteIll do some looking too.
Found some orange reflective vests at Forestry Suppliers for $6/ea for orders over 20 and lime green reflective for 6.25/ea. Shipping ends up being about $10-11 for an order of 50.
ReplyDeleteThe site is: http://www.forestry-suppliers.com and just type vest into the search bar at the top.
Do you think people will wear them? Have you asked?
ReplyDeleteYou can also buy reflective clear coat spray paint and paint the bikes with it. they will reflect. Maybe as an alternative.
Yeah, most of the riders I spoke with were up for vests. I know at least a few riders who would definitely wear them.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of making the bikes more reflective as well, that truly would be the most logical solution.
jim spaggg
Cool, sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI will try and bring a can and we can do a test
ReplyDelete