Bike Collectives Wiki - User contributions [en]

Shop Organization

2011-08-08T16:30:39Z

198.103.162.158:

How a '''shop is organized''' can help make it more accessible to new visitors and volunteers. A well organized shop also takes less effort to maintain, and helps reduce the amount of time spent searching for appropriate parts.

This page is an attempt at documenting the ideas, devices, and systems used by different bike projects to keep their shops organized and accessible.

== Design Recommendations ==

=== Pre-Plan ===

Set your priorities with the 3-B's:

* Blue prints
* Budgets
* Builders

=== Contractors ===

Do what you do best - hire the rest. If you can't hire anyone, chances are you have a skilled volunteer you should get to know better.

=== Take Your Time ===

We can't always afford to do everything at once. Creata a '''timeline''' and '''break the project into smaller pieces''' and do that as you have time and as you can afford to do them. Saw dust also shows customers and donors that there is constant change and growth.

=== Stay Open ===

It is important to maintain your customer service through the everything. Have a BBQ, bring your tools to a local park, provide construction photos on Facebook. All this ensures that the public sees that things are moving along, racing along, rather than being stagnant.

=== Basic Design ===

* '''Traffic Flow''': retail stores intentionally arrange things to make the customer walk by more things and spend more time in the store. You don't have to be evil about it, but you should still do this to avoid having people walking by expensive tools and also have them funnel past more information about your organization.
* '''Fixtures''': These are what you hang things you are selling or giving away on. Try to get old ones donated from [[Local Bike Shops]]. Consider them an investment not an expense.
* '''Merchandising''':
* '''Color''': Paint the place with color tones that represent how you want the place to feel. Murals are great too, there is probably a graffiti artist in your area that needs to fullfill some community service hours.

=Ideas to help keep things organized=

== Shop Layout ==
For ideas on the general layout of of your workspace, see [[Shop Layout]]

== Storage ==

* [[Tool storage]]
* [[Part Storage]]

== Wheel Sorter ==
[[Free Ride]] and the [[Davis Bike Collective]] use a wheel sorter to help new [[volunteers]] figure out the sizes of different [[rim]]s. Two 2x4's are mounted to a rigid backing to form a V shape. Smaller [[wheels]] can rest lower in the V than larger wheels. The sorter is calibrated by placing various [[wheels]] of known size in the V and marking where the [[axle]]s touch the backing. When a [[wheel]] of unknown size is placed in the sorter its axel should lie very close to one of these marks.

<gallery>
Image:FR_Wheel_Sorter_Empty.jpg|FreeRide's Wheel Sorter]]
Image:FR_Wheel_Sorter_Small_Wheel.jpg|Sorter with a 20" wheel]]
Image:FR_Wheel_Sorter_Big_Wheel.jpg|Sorter with a 27" wheel]]
</gallery>

== Color Coded Bike ==

[[Free Ride]] has a bike mounted near the ceiling of the shop. The major systems of the bike are spray painted different bright colors. Cabinets, drawers, tool drawers, and just about anything else we could think of are marked with matching colors. This makes it easy for [[volunteers]] to figure out what drawer to look in for the part they need.

<gallery>
Image:FR_Color_Coded_Bike.jpg|The color coded bike
Image:FR_Brake_Drawers.jpg|Color coded brake drawers
Image:FR_Medium_Parts_Drawers.jpg|Color coded medium parts bins
</gallery>

== References ==

* [http://www.retaildesignassociates.com/ Retail Design Associates]

[[Category:Shop organization]]

Valet Bike Parking

2011-02-08T22:31:28Z

198.103.162.158:

'''Valet Bike Parking''' is a great service to the community and [[advertising]] tool for [[community bike shops]] and [[:Category:Bicycle Advocacy Organizations|advocacy organizations]].

== What is it? ==

Simply put, when attending an event instead of leaving your bike chaining up a post, you leave it with someone who is going to keep an eye on it. This not only ensures the safety of their bike, but it creates a centralized gathering point (aka social spot) for all the cyclists attending the event -- this encourages people to ride. The event itself benefits because to the decreased demand for car parking and the organization running the valet bike parking has great exposure to the local cycling population.

== Liability ==

Chances are the people that would take the time to sue over a small scratch are not apt to use your service in the first place. Regardless, you should have [[insurance]], and if the event has really high end bikes showing up, a waiver form never hurts.

== Setting Up ==

Again, this is an opportunity to advertise what you do so make it look professional, safe, and informative.

=== Rope it off ===

With enough volunteers watching the bikes you don't really need a border. '''HOWEVER''', it gives people piece of mind to see that their bike is in a protected area with borders. Use caution tape, or to be more environmentally friendly use a re-usable brightly colored nylon rope.

== Keeping track of bikes: Raffle Tickets ==

[[Image:Raffletickets.jpg|thumb|Raffle Tickets]]

'''Raffle tickets''' are a cheap and easy way to do it. Buy a roll of 2,000 from [http://www.officedepot.com/ Office Depot] for under $8. For larger events buy different colors of raffle tickets where each section has its own color -- this makes bike retrieval much easier.

=== Instructions ===

# Tear off a pair of tickets.
# Give one raffle ticket to the bike owner (usually the one that says "Keep this Ticket").
# Wedge the other one in between the spokes. If they have [[radial]] spokes, aerowheels, or spokes that don't touch (high end wheels and old schwinns) just tape it to the frame or wedge them somewhere else like a brake hood.
# When they come back to retrieve their bike make sure the numbers match.

=== Pros ===

* Inexpensive
* Compact, less to carry.
* Ideal at events where people are NOT drinking.
* Requires little to no effort for volunteers to keep a count. If you keep track of the number on the first ticket, and subtract it from the number on the last ticket, you have a count of how many bikes you parked for the day!

=== Cons ===

* People ''can'' lose raffle tickets because they are small.
* Numbers are small and can be hard to see in the dark.
* Not as professional looking.
* Raffle tickets are not reusable.

== Keeping track of bikes: Coat-check system ==

[[Image:Wristband_tag.jpg|thumb|Wrist Band with Coat Tag]]

'''Coat-check system''' is a more polished version than raffle tickets, but also more expensive.

Order coat check numbers on the Internet: these are paired numbers printed on plastic disks with a hole in the top for placing on a coat hanger. Also get some plastic wrist coils from [http://www.idwholesaler.com/page/IDW/PROD/Wristwear/2140-620X IDWholesaler]. Put a number on each wrist coil, and use some sort of loop (we started with elastics) on the corresponding number. Attach the matching numbers together.

=== Instructions: Used / Unused Method ===

# Take a pair of numbers out of the "unused" bin or rack (by having a unused and used bin, we know at the end of the day how many bikes we parked).
# Give the wrist coil to the cyclist.
# Attach the matching number to the bike: with a loop or elastic you can clove hitch it to the handlebar.
# When they come back, verify the numbers match and give them their bike.
# Attach the two numbers together and dump in the used bin.
# When you've finished parking bikes, count either the used or unused bins to see how many bikes you parked. This may seem tedious, but it is important information for seeking funding or selling this service to other organizations.

'''NOTE:''' You '''must''' have more tags than you will need, if you have to reuse tags, it becomes hard to keep track of and will throw off the final count.

'''NOTE:''' It is also very helpful to have separate types of storage for used and unused tags, when things get crazy it helps with less error by a flustered volunteer.

=== Instructions: Sequential Method ===

# Keep the numbers in numerical order on a pole (a bicycle rim suits this purpose very well, and is an excellent way to recycle with a bicycle theme).
# Pass out the numbers in numerical order.
# As you have people return, put their numbers into a used bin.
# When you've finished, the last number on the pole or rim is the number of bikes you parked plus one.

=== Pros ===

* Professional looking.
* Tags are harder to lose -- since they are strapped to their wrist.
* Ideal at events where people are drinking.
* Easier to see and match larger numbers, especially in the dark.
* Tags are reusable, eliminating waste.

=== Cons ===

* Expensive
* Quantities over 250 have to be custom made.
* Bulkier, more to carry.
* No replacements for single numbers, lost numbers can throw off counts permanently so they need to be accounted for.
* Counts are more labor intensive.

== Storing the Bikes ==

[[Image:saw_horse_bike_rack.jpg|thumb|Trisport Canada Inc. uses this saw horse rack at their races]]
[[Image:PSS_80BT.jpg|thumb|Feedback Sports PSS-80BT Portable Storage Stand]]
[[Image:BBDisplayStand.jpg|thumb|Bottom Bracket Type Display Stands]]
[[Image:Ann arbor bike parking 2.jpg|thumb|DIY Plywood and Conduit stands from the Ann Arbor Art Fair]]
[[Image:Ann arbor bike parking 1.jpg|thumb|close up of DIY Plywood and Conduit stands from the Ann Arbor Art Fair]]

# Build a tall saw horse out of either metal or wood and hang the bikes by their seats.
# [http://www.cyclesafe.com/ Cycle-Safe] has a professional version of a saw horse called the [http://www.cyclesafe.com/EventRacks.tab.aspx Bike-Check™ Portable Bicycle Parking System].
# [http://racesmith.com/triathlonbikerack.html Triathlon Bike Rack] Two different versions of a rack that have bicylces hang by the saddle or handlebars. Used at many triathlons. The distinguishing feature of this rack is that the legs store inside the main beam. This makes for a very compact package for storage and transport.
# [http://www.feedbacksports.com/ Feedback Sports] (aka Ultimate) has a PSS-80BT Portable Storage Stand
# [[Pedal & Park]] published their [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.pdf tri-pod design] online for bike racks.
# Use Bottom Bracket Type Display Stands. '''NOTE:''' These will not work with over-sized down tubes. Also, these should not be used with fixed gears, as it lifts the rear wheel off the ground, creating a hazard for children who like spinning wheels, and could catch their fingers in the drivetrain.
# Use kickstands. If you are parking bikes on grass, you might want to grab some small blocks of wood or crushed aluminum cans to put under the kickstands so the bikes don't fall over.
# Flip the bikes upside down or on their side. '''DO NOT FLIP OVER THE FOLLOWING:'''
#* Bikes with lights on handlebars
#* Bikes with computers on handlebars
#* Bikes where all the weight would be on the shifters.
#* Older road bikes where [[brake housing]] comes out of the top of the [[brake hood]] may damage the cable.
#* Children who grow with bikes in the house have a natural propensity to spin wheels. Since fixed gears create a hazard when the wheel is spun, it is not recommended that you flip these upside down either.

== Types of Events ==

In addition to community participation and fundraising for our youth programs, we also provide valet bike parking as a means to employ select graduates of our programs. We are often contracted by other groups to do Valet Bike Parking for events that are expected to attract large numbers of cyclists. Frequently, we are able to employ a few youth for credit hours or a small hourly rate and a share of any tips collected.

=== Even trickle all day ===

This is more of your fair, farmers' market, or conference where people come and go all day long. There are no scheduled events, so people just come and go at their leisure.

This also means you need a steady supply of [[volunteers]] / staff to handle the steady flow of bikes.

=== Mass dropoff and pickup ===

This happens when an event starts and ends at certain times, like an outdoor concert.

For these events, you need lots of volunteers in the very beginning and at the very end, but not as many inbetween -- just enough to watch the bikes.

== Valet Bike Parking Services ==
=== [[Active Transportation Alliance]] ===
They provide Valet Parking at many down town events through the summer, night time movie nights, food, cultural events, triathlons, and the end of family bike ride. Simple snow fencing, for the outside barrier, three staff, metal racks for 500 bikes, and paper claim tickets for the patrons and their bikes, a repair stand if you want to get fancy.

=== [[Bike Pittsburgh]] ===
A service that [http://www.bike-pgh.org Bike Pittsburgh] offers for large events is [http://bike-pgh.org/buy_stuff/bicycle-valet-parking/ Valet Bicycle Parking]. As any event organizer knows, finding a place to put all the cars is a difficult and expensive task, to say the least. So why not encourage people to ride their bicycles to the event? Not only does it relieve the parking crunch, traffic and associated costs, it lowers pollution and adds a “greening” element to the event.

=== [[The Bike Root]] ===
The Bike Root in Calgary, AB provides bike valet parking at the weekly [http://www.hillhurstsunnysidecommunity.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=43 market in Hillhurst-Sunnyside]. Two saw horses are currently used to store bicycles. Laminated, reusable tags of varying colours and images which are used to make finding a bike easier. There are two copies of each, one is given to the patron and the other is clipped to his or her bike. A donation jar is also commonly provided for those that have change to spare and has been fairly successful usually working out to an average of $1 per bike.

===== Wrenching =====
The Hillhurst-Sunnyside market holds a 'car free' day once a year and on this day the Bike Root has provided basic tune-ups for free. Two portable stands were brought in along with a basic tool-set. For more complicated issues the bike owner was directed to the Bike Root.

=== [[Community Cycles]] ===
[http://www.communitycycles.org Community Cycles] in Boulder, CO provides weekly small scale valet bicycle parking for our local Farmers' Market, and several large events per year, including one overnight event where bikes are parked near the finish line the night before a 10k run, kept secure by volunteers, and returned to race participants/spectators once they finish the race.

=== [[Neighborhood Bike Works]]===
In addition to community participation and fundraising for our youth programs, we also provide valet bike parking as a means to employ select graduates of our programs. We are often contracted by other groups to do Valet Bike Parking for events that are expected to attract large numbers of cyclists. Frequently, we are able to employ a few youth for credit hours or a small hourly rate and a share of any tips collected.

=== [[Ohio City Bicycle Co-op]] ===
This is one of our most effective outreach avenues. We charge event organizers for the service, and provide as much extra service to users as time allows: safety checks, oil and air, helmet fit, where to ride, etc. Our outline of this service is here:[http://ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24-valet-bike-parking&Itemid=30]

=== [[Pedal & Park]], Indianapolis, Indiana ===
We're beginning our 13th year of parking bikes and our 9th year with a sponsor, whose support allows us to make the service free. We are all-volunteer, with workers coming from two bicycling organizations, one greenways group and the city parks department.

Until last year, we parked routinely at six area events -- art fairs, Bike to Work Day and the state fair. Last year, we added another five events and parked almost 4,000 bikes total. In 2009, we have scheduled 13 firm events and one tentative event.

We use numbered wristbands with perforated numbered stubs. We tape the stubs to the bikes and put the wristbands on the people. A lost wristband is VERY rare. We also ask people to sign in on a liability form, leaving a cell number where we can reach them. The form also includes optional demographics/marketing checkboxes and the option to sign up for email newsletters. You may download the 2010 form as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/p&p-Register2010.doc Word document] or as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/p&p-Register2010.pdf PDF file].

Our racks are pipes suspended between 2-x-4 tripods. You may download the plans as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.doc Word document] or as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.pdf PDF file].

[http://www.pedalandpark.org Pedal & Park web site]

=== [[Recycle-A-Bike]] ===
They have done this for bike auctions and other fundraisers and public events.

=== [[Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective]] ===
Does this for downtown Salt Lake City events such as the [http://www.downtownslc.org/events/farmersmarket/farmersmarketinfo.htm Downtown Farmers' Market] and the [http://www.slcgov.com/Arts/twilight/ Twilight Concert Series]. In the summer of 2008 they parked over 5,500 bikes.

=== [[San Francisco Bicycle Coalition]] ===
They do this all the time at major events, and have lots of answers for anyone interested in setting up a bike parking program at your location.

=== [[San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition]] ===
Operated by the [http://www.slobikelane.org/ San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition]. Offered weekly (about 50 weeks per year) at the Thursday night San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market. Parking is free and operates using a coat-check like system and has parked over 15,000 bikes since its inception in 20xx when the Tour of California passed through San Luis Obispo. The service is available for hire at local events.

=== [[The Toronto Cyclists Union]] ===
The [http://www.bikeunion.to Toronto Cyclists Union] can provide valet bicycle parking on demand.

=== [[Urban Bike Project of Wilmington]] ===
We have and will continue to do so. Big race in Wilmington last year, we parked about 200 bikes...It was a bit of a mess (most of these bikes parked in a half hour immediately following a bike parade) but our first time and plenty to be learned from the experience.

Valet Bike Parking

2011-02-08T22:30:01Z

198.103.162.158: /* The Bike Root */

'''Valet Bike Parking''' is a great service to the community and [[advertising]] tool for [[community bike shops]] and [[:Category:Bicycle Advocacy Organizations|advocacy organizations]].

== What is it? ==

Simply put, when attending an event instead of leaving your bike chaining up a post, you leave it with someone who is going to keep an eye on it. This not only ensures the safety of their bike, but it creates a centralized gathering point (aka social spot) for all the cyclists attending the event -- this encourages people to ride. The event itself benefits because to the decreased demand for car parking and the organization running the valet bike parking has great exposure to the local cycling population.

== Liability ==

Chances are the people that would take the time to sue over a small scratch are not apt to use your service in the first place. Regardless, you should have [[insurance]], and if the event has really high end bikes showing up, a waiver form never hurts.

== Setting Up ==

Again, this is an opportunity to advertise what you do so make it look professional, safe, and informative.

=== Rope it off ===

With enough volunteers watching the bikes you don't really need a border. '''HOWEVER''', it gives people piece of mind to see that their bike is in a protected area with borders. Use caution tape, or to be more environmentally friendly use a re-usable brightly colored nylon rope.

== Keeping track of bikes: Raffle Tickets ==

[[Image:Raffletickets.jpg|thumb|Raffle Tickets]]

'''Raffle tickets''' are a cheap and easy way to do it. Buy a roll of 2,000 from [http://www.officedepot.com/ Office Depot] for under $8. For larger events buy different colors of raffle tickets where each section has its own color -- this makes bike retrieval much easier.

=== Instructions ===

# Tear off a pair of tickets.
# Give one raffle ticket to the bike owner (usually the one that says "Keep this Ticket").
# Wedge the other one in between the spokes. If they have [[radial]] spokes, aerowheels, or spokes that don't touch (high end wheels and old schwinns) just tape it to the frame or wedge them somewhere else like a brake hood.
# When they come back to retrieve their bike make sure the numbers match.

=== Pros ===

* Inexpensive
* Compact, less to carry.
* Ideal at events where people are NOT drinking.
* Requires little to no effort for volunteers to keep a count. If you keep track of the number on the first ticket, and subtract it from the number on the last ticket, you have a count of how many bikes you parked for the day!

=== Cons ===

* People ''can'' lose raffle tickets because they are small.
* Numbers are small and can be hard to see in the dark.
* Not as professional looking.
* Raffle tickets are not reusable.

== Keeping track of bikes: Coat-check system ==

[[Image:Wristband_tag.jpg|thumb|Wrist Band with Coat Tag]]

'''Coat-check system''' is a more polished version than raffle tickets, but also more expensive.

Order coat check numbers on the Internet: these are paired numbers printed on plastic disks with a hole in the top for placing on a coat hanger. Also get some plastic wrist coils from [http://www.idwholesaler.com/page/IDW/PROD/Wristwear/2140-620X IDWholesaler]. Put a number on each wrist coil, and use some sort of loop (we started with elastics) on the corresponding number. Attach the matching numbers together.

=== Instructions: Used / Unused Method ===

# Take a pair of numbers out of the "unused" bin or rack (by having a unused and used bin, we know at the end of the day how many bikes we parked).
# Give the wrist coil to the cyclist.
# Attach the matching number to the bike: with a loop or elastic you can clove hitch it to the handlebar.
# When they come back, verify the numbers match and give them their bike.
# Attach the two numbers together and dump in the used bin.
# When you've finished parking bikes, count either the used or unused bins to see how many bikes you parked. This may seem tedious, but it is important information for seeking funding or selling this service to other organizations.

'''NOTE:''' You '''must''' have more tags than you will need, if you have to reuse tags, it becomes hard to keep track of and will throw off the final count.

'''NOTE:''' It is also very helpful to have separate types of storage for used and unused tags, when things get crazy it helps with less error by a flustered volunteer.

=== Instructions: Sequential Method ===

# Keep the numbers in numerical order on a pole (a bicycle rim suits this purpose very well, and is an excellent way to recycle with a bicycle theme).
# Pass out the numbers in numerical order.
# As you have people return, put their numbers into a used bin.
# When you've finished, the last number on the pole or rim is the number of bikes you parked plus one.

=== Pros ===

* Professional looking.
* Tags are harder to lose -- since they are strapped to their wrist.
* Ideal at events where people are drinking.
* Easier to see and match larger numbers, especially in the dark.
* Tags are reusable, eliminating waste.

=== Cons ===

* Expensive
* Quantities over 250 have to be custom made.
* Bulkier, more to carry.
* No replacements for single numbers, lost numbers can throw off counts permanently so they need to be accounted for.
* Counts are more labor intensive.

== Storing the Bikes ==

[[Image:saw_horse_bike_rack.jpg|thumb|Trisport Canada Inc. uses this saw horse rack at their races]]
[[Image:PSS_80BT.jpg|thumb|Feedback Sports PSS-80BT Portable Storage Stand]]
[[Image:BBDisplayStand.jpg|thumb|Bottom Bracket Type Display Stands]]
[[Image:Ann arbor bike parking 2.jpg|thumb|DIY Plywood and Conduit stands from the Ann Arbor Art Fair]]
[[Image:Ann arbor bike parking 1.jpg|thumb|close up of DIY Plywood and Conduit stands from the Ann Arbor Art Fair]]

# Build a tall saw horse out of either metal or wood and hang the bikes by their seats.
# [http://www.cyclesafe.com/ Cycle-Safe] has a professional version of a saw horse called the [http://www.cyclesafe.com/EventRacks.tab.aspx Bike-Check™ Portable Bicycle Parking System].
# [http://racesmith.com/triathlonbikerack.html Triathlon Bike Rack] Two different versions of a rack that have bicylces hang by the saddle or handlebars. Used at many triathlons. The distinguishing feature of this rack is that the legs store inside the main beam. This makes for a very compact package for storage and transport.
# [http://www.feedbacksports.com/ Feedback Sports] (aka Ultimate) has a PSS-80BT Portable Storage Stand
# [[Pedal & Park]] published their [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.pdf tri-pod design] online for bike racks.
# Use Bottom Bracket Type Display Stands. '''NOTE:''' These will not work with over-sized down tubes. Also, these should not be used with fixed gears, as it lifts the rear wheel off the ground, creating a hazard for children who like spinning wheels, and could catch their fingers in the drivetrain.
# Use kickstands. If you are parking bikes on grass, you might want to grab some small blocks of wood or crushed aluminum cans to put under the kickstands so the bikes don't fall over.
# Flip the bikes upside down or on their side. '''DO NOT FLIP OVER THE FOLLOWING:'''
#* Bikes with lights on handlebars
#* Bikes with computers on handlebars
#* Bikes where all the weight would be on the shifters.
#* Older road bikes where [[brake housing]] comes out of the top of the [[brake hood]] may damage the cable.
#* Children who grow with bikes in the house have a natural propensity to spin wheels. Since fixed gears create a hazard when the wheel is spun, it is not recommended that you flip these upside down either.

== Types of Events ==

In addition to community participation and fundraising for our youth programs, we also provide valet bike parking as a means to employ select graduates of our programs. We are often contracted by other groups to do Valet Bike Parking for events that are expected to attract large numbers of cyclists. Frequently, we are able to employ a few youth for credit hours or a small hourly rate and a share of any tips collected.

=== Even trickle all day ===

This is more of your fair, farmers' market, or conference where people come and go all day long. There are no scheduled events, so people just come and go at their leisure.

This also means you need a steady supply of [[volunteers]] / staff to handle the steady flow of bikes.

=== Mass dropoff and pickup ===

This happens when an event starts and ends at certain times, like an outdoor concert.

For these events, you need lots of volunteers in the very beginning and at the very end, but not as many inbetween -- just enough to watch the bikes.

== Valet Bike Parking Services ==
=== [[Active Transportation Alliance]] ===
They provide Valet Parking at many down town events through the summer, night time movie nights, food, cultural events, triathlons, and the end of family bike ride. Simple snow fencing, for the outside barrier, three staff, metal racks for 500 bikes, and paper claim tickets for the patrons and their bikes, a repair stand if you want to get fancy.

=== [[Bike Pittsburgh]] ===
A service that [http://www.bike-pgh.org Bike Pittsburgh] offers for large events is [http://bike-pgh.org/buy_stuff/bicycle-valet-parking/ Valet Bicycle Parking]. As any event organizer knows, finding a place to put all the cars is a difficult and expensive task, to say the least. So why not encourage people to ride their bicycles to the event? Not only does it relieve the parking crunch, traffic and associated costs, it lowers pollution and adds a “greening” element to the event.

=== [[The Bike Root]] ===
The Bike Root in Calgary, AB provides bike valet parking at the weekly [http://www.hillhurstsunnysidecommunity.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=43 market in Hillhurst-Sunnyside]. Two saw horses are currently used to store bicycles. Laminated, reusable tags of varying colours and images which are used to make finding a bike easier. There are two copies of each, one is given to the patron and the other is clipped to his or her bike. A donation jar is also commonly provided for those that have change to spare and has been fairly successful usually working out to an average of $1 per bike.

==== Wrenching ====
The Hillhurst-Sunnyside market holds a 'car free' day once a year and on this day the Bike Root has provided basic tune-ups for free. Two portable stands were brought in along with a basic tool-set. For more complicated issues the bike owner was directed to the Bike Root.

=== [[Community Cycles]] ===
[http://www.communitycycles.org Community Cycles] in Boulder, CO provides weekly small scale valet bicycle parking for our local Farmers' Market, and several large events per year, including one overnight event where bikes are parked near the finish line the night before a 10k run, kept secure by volunteers, and returned to race participants/spectators once they finish the race.

=== [[Neighborhood Bike Works]]===
In addition to community participation and fundraising for our youth programs, we also provide valet bike parking as a means to employ select graduates of our programs. We are often contracted by other groups to do Valet Bike Parking for events that are expected to attract large numbers of cyclists. Frequently, we are able to employ a few youth for credit hours or a small hourly rate and a share of any tips collected.

=== [[Ohio City Bicycle Co-op]] ===
This is one of our most effective outreach avenues. We charge event organizers for the service, and provide as much extra service to users as time allows: safety checks, oil and air, helmet fit, where to ride, etc. Our outline of this service is here:[http://ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24-valet-bike-parking&Itemid=30]

=== [[Pedal & Park]], Indianapolis, Indiana ===
We're beginning our 13th year of parking bikes and our 9th year with a sponsor, whose support allows us to make the service free. We are all-volunteer, with workers coming from two bicycling organizations, one greenways group and the city parks department.

Until last year, we parked routinely at six area events -- art fairs, Bike to Work Day and the state fair. Last year, we added another five events and parked almost 4,000 bikes total. In 2009, we have scheduled 13 firm events and one tentative event.

We use numbered wristbands with perforated numbered stubs. We tape the stubs to the bikes and put the wristbands on the people. A lost wristband is VERY rare. We also ask people to sign in on a liability form, leaving a cell number where we can reach them. The form also includes optional demographics/marketing checkboxes and the option to sign up for email newsletters. You may download the 2010 form as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/p&p-Register2010.doc Word document] or as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/p&p-Register2010.pdf PDF file].

Our racks are pipes suspended between 2-x-4 tripods. You may download the plans as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.doc Word document] or as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.pdf PDF file].

[http://www.pedalandpark.org Pedal & Park web site]

=== [[Recycle-A-Bike]] ===
They have done this for bike auctions and other fundraisers and public events.

=== [[Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective]] ===
Does this for downtown Salt Lake City events such as the [http://www.downtownslc.org/events/farmersmarket/farmersmarketinfo.htm Downtown Farmers' Market] and the [http://www.slcgov.com/Arts/twilight/ Twilight Concert Series]. In the summer of 2008 they parked over 5,500 bikes.

=== [[San Francisco Bicycle Coalition]] ===
They do this all the time at major events, and have lots of answers for anyone interested in setting up a bike parking program at your location.

=== [[San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition]] ===
Operated by the [http://www.slobikelane.org/ San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition]. Offered weekly (about 50 weeks per year) at the Thursday night San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market. Parking is free and operates using a coat-check like system and has parked over 15,000 bikes since its inception in 20xx when the Tour of California passed through San Luis Obispo. The service is available for hire at local events.

=== [[The Toronto Cyclists Union]] ===
The [http://www.bikeunion.to Toronto Cyclists Union] can provide valet bicycle parking on demand.

=== [[Urban Bike Project of Wilmington]] ===
We have and will continue to do so. Big race in Wilmington last year, we parked about 200 bikes...It was a bit of a mess (most of these bikes parked in a half hour immediately following a bike parade) but our first time and plenty to be learned from the experience.

Bike!Bike! 2010

2010-08-18T18:59:26Z

198.103.162.158: /* Overview */

'''Bike!Bike! 2010''' was hosted in Toronto, Ontario by [[Bike Pirates]] in the summer of 2010.

= Workshops =
In the overview, please make mention of the facilitators, format of the workshop, and whatever other information you might think helpful. The overview should contain a description of the topic but no record of what happened in the workshop. Feedback is meant to be a constructive aid for those who ran the workshop; keep in mind many of the facilitators had no prior experience with this type of workshop before this conference.

Don't be afraid to make changes to someone else's work if you can make any improvements.

== 3-Speed Hubs and the trouble with Sexism ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Anti-Racism! ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Battlefield: Consensus! ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Bike Advocacy/Working with the City ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Bike Book Club! ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Bike Polo! Mallet making and game ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Bike Sharing! ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Bike Touring: Skillshare ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Bikes + Universities ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== BooP/Thinktank/bikewiki brainstorm ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Cargo bikes! ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Co-Op Incubator Program ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Cooperating with for-profit bike shops ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Design and Organization of Teaching in Your Space ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Facilitating a paid position in your shop ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Grant writing and Government Contracts ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Greening our Green Transportation ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== How to teach “hands off” ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Kids' Bike Programming ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Reaching New Immigrants ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Recycled Bike Art! ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Regional Bike!Bike! Report back ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Repair Classes as an Outreach tool ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Vanquishing the Storage Monster ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Volunteer Orientation Part 1: telling folks how you work and plugging them in ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Volunteer Orientation Part 2: Mechanical orientation, tips and tricks for new wrenchers ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Volunteer Retention and Burnout ==
=== Overview ===
A discussion of common problems and possible solutions for lack of volunteer retention and volunteer burnout. This workshop was facilitated by Zoe of the [[Brick City Bike Collective]] and [[User:Godwin|Godwin]] of [[The Bike Root]]. It was divided in half by both topics and on each half, a go around was done to identify the most common problems then a brainstorming session was done to see if possible solutions could be found to many of the problems. Approximately 40 people turned out.

=== Notes ===
====Retention====
Why do we lose volunteers?
* Sometimes the work they do starts to feel meaningless
* Volunteers may not get the help needed and may get frustrated
* Organizing meetings can be very long
* Don't feel qualified
* Don't feel empowered or welcome to start organizing
* May leave once the weather turns foul

Solutions:
* Volunteer nights
** approximately 3 hours long
** one every week or two weeks
* Talk to volunteers, see what they want to do
** Have one-on-one meetings to ensure that volunteers are interested in what they are doing
** '''Keep occasional volunteers interested and you'll get more long-term volunteers and mechanics'''
* Develop a volunteer structure
** Create a tiered setup with specific volunteer levels and rewards
** Have dedicated roles with written job descriptions
* Identify what the boring tasks are
* Make a task list or binder
* '''Make it Social'''

==== Burnout ====
Causes:
* Not resolving problems
* Feeling like no one else will do it
* Loss of interest

Solutions:
* Behind the scenes work
** Burnout notice
** Talk with the volunteers
** Offer a sabbatical
** Plan a group retreat to talk about issues
* Have more honesty in meetings
** Have meetings to only discuss and vent volunteer issues
* Don't plan long-term putting out fires
* Rotate tasks
** Write out tasks in a book
* Make a policy that when only one volunteer shows up, close the shop and walk away

=== Feedback ===

== Winter Riding Skill-share ==
=== Overview ===
This workshop covered safety issues and how to deal with the winter fashion police (i.e. how to dress appropriately!). As a group we discussed different ideas to get more people to ride during the winter months.

=== Notes ===
*[http://theflat.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/theflatwinterridinghandout1.pdf Winter Riding workshop handout]: Gives a quick overview of safety issues, bike modifications and dress tips.

*'''Ideas to get more people to ride in winter'''
** Coldest day of the year ride & January 1st rides
** A box with donated winter riding clothes (e.g. extra gloves, sweaters, waterproofs etc.)
** Ice polo / Ice races
** Taking kids/others to parking lots (or other secluded / car-free spaces) to show them how much fun winter riding is!
** Pledge signing / peer pressure: "I swear to not use a car for the duration of the winter"

=== Feedback ===

== Women and Trans Hours: Policies, Politics, Allies ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

== Yoga for Cyclists ==
=== Overview ===
=== Notes ===
=== Feedback ===

[[Category:Bike!Bike!]]

Valet Bike Parking

2010-08-17T17:01:10Z

198.103.162.158: /* Valet Bike Parking Services */

'''Valet Bike Parking''' is a great service to the community and [[advertising]] tool for [[community bike shops]] and [[advocacy organizations]].

== What is it? ==

Simply put, when attending an event instead of leaving your bike chaining up a post, you leave it with someone who is going to keep an eye on it. This not only ensures the safety of their bike, but it creates a centralized gathering point (aka social spot) for all the cyclists attending the event -- this encourages people to ride. The event itself benefits because to the decreased demand for car parking and the organization running the valet bike parking has great exposure to the local cycling population.

== Liability ==

Chances are the people that would take the time to sue over a small scratch are not apt to use your service in the first place. Regardless, you should have [[insurance]], and if the event has really high end bikes showing up, a waiver form never hurts.

== Setting Up ==

Again, this is an opportunity to advertise what you do so make it look professional, safe, and informative.

=== Rope it off ===

With enough volunteers watching the bikes you don't really need a border. '''HOWEVER''', it gives people piece of mind to see that their bike is in a protected area with borders. Use caution tape, or to be more environmentally friendly use a re-usable brightly colored nylon rope.

== Keeping track of bikes: Raffle Tickets ==

[[Image:Raffletickets.jpg|thumb|Raffle Tickets]]

'''Raffle tickets''' are a cheap and easy way to do it. Buy a roll of 2,000 from [http://www.officedepot.com/ Office Depot] for under $8. For larger events buy different colors of raffle tickets where each section has its own color -- this makes bike retrieval much easier.

=== Instructions ===

# Tear off a pair of tickets.
# Give one raffle ticket to the bike owner (usually the one that says "Keep this Ticket").
# Wedge the other one in between the spokes. If they have [[radial]] spokes, aerowheels, or spokes that don't touch (high end wheels and old schwinns) just tape it to the frame or wedge them somewhere else like a brake hood.
# When they come back to retrieve their bike make sure the numbers match.

=== Pros ===

* Inexpensive
* Compact, less to carry.
* Ideal at events where people are NOT drinking.
* Requires little to no effort for volunteers to keep a count. If you keep track of the number on the first ticket, and subtract it from the number on the last ticket, you have a count of how many bikes you parked for the day!

=== Cons ===

* People ''can'' lose raffle tickets because they are small.
* Numbers are small and can be hard to see in the dark.
* Not as professional looking.
* Raffle tickets are not reusable.

== Keeping track of bikes: Coat-check system ==

[[Image:Wristband_tag.jpg|thumb|Wrist Band with Coat Tag]]

'''Coat-check system''' is a more polished version than raffle tickets, but also more expensive.

Order coat check numbers on the Internet: these are paired numbers printed on plastic disks with a hole in the top for placing on a coat hanger. Also get some plastic wrist coils from [http://www.idwholesaler.com/page/IDW/PROD/Wristwear/2140-620X IDWholesaler]. Put a number on each wrist coil, and use some sort of loop (we started with elastics) on the corresponding number. Attach the matching numbers together.

=== Instructions: Used / Unused Method ===

# Take a pair of numbers out of the "unused" bin or rack (by having a unused and used bin, we know at the end of the day how many bikes we parked).
# Give the wrist coil to the cyclist.
# Attach the matching number to the bike: with a loop or elastic you can clove hitch it to the handlebar.
# When they come back, verify the numbers match and give them their bike.
# Attach the two numbers together and dump in the used bin.
# When you've finished parking bikes, count either the used or unused bins to see how many bikes you parked. This may seem tedious, but it is important information for seeking funding or selling this service to other organizations.

'''NOTE:''' You '''must''' have more tags than you will need, if you have to reuse tags, it becomes hard to keep track of and will throw off the final count.

'''NOTE:''' It is also very helpful to have separate types of storage for used and unused tags, when things get crazy it helps with less error by a flustered volunteer.

=== Instructions: Sequential Method ===

# Keep the numbers in numerical order on a pole (a bicycle rim suits this purpose very well, and is an excellent way to recycle with a bicycle theme).
# Pass out the numbers in numerical order.
# As you have people return, put their numbers into a used bin.
# When you've finished, the last number on the pole or rim is the number of bikes you parked plus one.

=== Pros ===

* Professional looking.
* Tags are harder to lose -- since they are strapped to their wrist.
* Ideal at events where people are drinking.
* Easier to see and match larger numbers, especially in the dark.
* Tags are reusable, eliminating waste.

=== Cons ===

* Expensive
* Quantities over 250 have to be custom made.
* Bulkier, more to carry.
* No replacements for single numbers, lost numbers can throw off counts permanently so they need to be accounted for.
* Counts are more labor intensive.

== Storing the Bikes ==

[[Image:saw_horse_bike_rack.jpg|thumb|Trisport Canada Inc. uses this saw horse rack at their races]]
[[Image:PSS_80BT.jpg|thumb|Feedback Sports PSS-80BT Portable Storage Stand]]
[[Image:BBDisplayStand.jpg|thumb|Bottom Bracket Type Display Stands]]
[[Image:Ann arbor bike parking 2.jpg|thumb|DIY Plywood and Conduit stands from the Ann Arbor Art Fair]]
[[Image:Ann arbor bike parking 1.jpg|thumb|close up of DIY Plywood and Conduit stands from the Ann Arbor Art Fair]]

# Build a tall saw horse out of either metal or wood and hang the bikes by their seats.
# [http://www.cyclesafe.com/ Cycle-Safe] has a professional version of a saw horse called the [http://www.cyclesafe.com/EventRacks.tab.aspx Bike-Check™ Portable Bicycle Parking System].
# [http://racesmith.com/triathlonbikerack.html Triathlon Bike Rack] Two different versions of a rack that have bicylces hang by the saddle or handlebars. Used at many triathlons. The distinguishing feature of this rack is that the legs store inside the main beam. This makes for a very compact package for storage and transport.
# [http://www.feedbacksports.com/ Feedback Sports] (aka Ultimate) has a PSS-80BT Portable Storage Stand
# [[Pedal & Park]] published their [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.pdf tri-pod design] online for bike racks.
# Use Bottom Bracket Type Display Stands. '''NOTE:''' These will not work with over-sized down tubes. Also, these should not be used with fixed gears, as it lifts the rear wheel off the ground, creating a hazard for children who like spinning wheels, and could catch their fingers in the drivetrain.
# Use kickstands. If you are parking bikes on grass, you might want to grab some small blocks of wood or crushed aluminum cans to put under the kickstands so the bikes don't fall over.
# Flip the bikes upside down or on their side. '''DO NOT FLIP OVER THE FOLLOWING:'''
#* Bikes with lights on handlebars
#* Bikes with computers on handlebars
#* Bikes where all the weight would be on the shifters.
#* Older road bikes where [[brake housing]] comes out of the top of the [[brake hood]] may damage the cable.
#* Children who grow with bikes in the house have a natural propensity to spin wheels. Since fixed gears create a hazard when the wheel is spun, it is not recommended that you flip these upside down either.

== Types of Events ==

=== Even trickle all day ===

This is more of your fair, farmers' market, or conference where people come and go all day long. There are no scheduled events, so people just come and go at their leisure.

This also means you need a steady supply of [[volunteers]] / staff to handle the steady flow of bikes.

=== Mass dropoff and pickup ===

This happens when an event starts and ends at certain times, like an outdoor concert.

For these events, you need lots of volunteers in the very beginning and at the very end, but not as many inbetween -- just enough to watch the bikes.

== Valet Bike Parking Services ==

=== [[Recycle-A-Bike]] ===

They have done this for bike auctions and other fundraisers and public events.

=== [[Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective]] ===

Does this for downtown Salt Lake City events such as the [http://www.downtownslc.org/events/farmersmarket/farmersmarketinfo.htm Downtown Farmers' Market] and the [http://www.slcgov.com/Arts/twilight/ Twilight Concert Series]. In the summer of 2008 they parked over 5,500 bikes.

=== [[Active Transportation Alliance]] ===

They provide Valet Parking at many down town events through the summer, night time movie nights, food, cultural events, triathlons, and the end of family bike ride.

Simple snow fencing, for the outside barrier, three staff, metal racks for 500 bikes, and paper claim tickets for the patrons and their bikes, a repair stand if you want to get fancy.

=== [[San Francisco Bicycle Coalition]] ===

They do this all the time at major events, and have lots of answers for anyone interested in setting up a bike parking program at your location.

=== [[Urban Bike Project of Wilmington]] ===

We have and will continue to do so. Big race in Wilmington last year, we parked about 200 bikes...It was a bit of a mess (most of these bikes parked in a half hour immediately following a bike parade) but
our first time and plenty to be learned from the experience.

=== [[Ohio City Bicycle Co-op]] ===

This is one of our most effective outreach avenues. We charge event organizers for the service, and provide as much extra service to users as time allows: safety checks, oil and air, helmet fit, where to ride, etc. Our outline of this service is here:[http://ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24-valet-bike-parking&Itemid=30]

=== [[Pedal & Park]], Indianapolis, Indiana ===

We're beginning our 13th year of parking bikes and our 9th year with a sponsor, whose support allows us to make the service free. We are all-volunteer, with workers coming from two bicycling organizations, one greenways group and the city parks department.

Until last year, we parked routinely at six area events -- art fairs, Bike to Work Day and the state fair. Last year, we added another five events and parked almost 4,000 bikes total. In 2009, we have scheduled 13 firm events and one tentative event.

We use numbered wristbands with perforated numbered stubs. We tape the stubs to the bikes and put the wristbands on the people. A lost wristband is VERY rare. We also ask people to sign in on a liability form, leaving a cell number where we can reach them. The form also includes optional demographics/marketing checkboxes and the option to sign up for email newsletters. You may download the 2010 form as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/p&p-Register2010.doc Word document] or as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/p&p-Register2010.pdf PDF file].

Our racks are pipes suspended between 2-x-4 tripods. You may download the plans as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.doc Word document] or as a [http://www.pedalandpark.org/bike-rack_plans.pdf PDF file].

[http://www.pedalandpark.org Pedal & Park web site]

=== [[The Toronto Cyclists Union]] ===

The [http://www.bikeunion.to Toronto Cyclists Union] can provide valet bicycle parking on demand.

=== [[Bike Pittsburgh]] ===

A service that [http://www.bike-pgh.org Bike Pittsburgh] offers for large events is [http://bike-pgh.org/buy_stuff/bicycle-valet-parking/ Valet Bicycle Parking]. As any event organizer knows, finding a place to put all the cars is a difficult and expensive task, to say the least. So why not encourage people to ride their bicycles to the event? Not only does it relieve the parking crunch, traffic and associated costs, it lowers pollution and adds a “greening” element to the event.

=== [[Community Cycles]] ===

[http://www.communitycycles.org Community Cycles] in Boulder, CO provides weekly small scale valet bicycle parking for our local Farmers' Market, and several large events per year, including one overnight event where bikes are parked near the finish line the night before a 10k run, kept secure by volunteers, and returned to race participants/spectators once they finish the race.

=== [[The Bike Root]] ===
The Bike Root in Calgary, AB provides bike valet parking at the weekly [http://www.hillhurstsunnysidecommunity.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=43 market in Hillhurst-Sunnyside]. Two saw horses are currently used to store bicycles. Raffle tickets are also used but there has been some talk of changing for lamenated, reusable tags. The tags could be of varying colours or images which would make finding a bike easier. A donation jar is also commonly provided for those that have change to spare.