LexRides

roadhouse · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 9 Location: depends on the month

I've been meaning to post on this thread for a while. I have and can get holt of a lot of parts and would love to see them go to folks who need them and would also love to donate some time as a mediocre mechanic. I'm all for anybody who wants to ride a bike being able to do so. The only concern I have is that the parts donated go to some "worthy" bike cause. I realize that "worthy" is a tough one, but I don't necessarily want a bunch of folks who could afford to do otherwise to raid this cache in order make a third polo bike and impress their friends with their superfluous thriftiness.
Anywho, regardless of my concerns, I gots parts. Let me know what to do with them.

dianelawless · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I think this is a great thing. When we were first starting Yellow Bikes I was hoping it would have had a program like this. They have done this very successfully in many other communities and somewhere in my files I have a lot of information about how they do it.
Now that the election is over I would like to be of some help to you with this.
Other communities that have done this have used several approaches such as a "sweat equity" kind of deal where the person wanting a bike comes in and is assisted in building the bike there. That way they also know how to continue keeping going.
It has cut down on bike theft and gotten lots of folks riding.
Please let me know how I can help. I don't have a ton of time but would be glad to assist in some way to help get this going.
Thanks for all your efforts,
Diane Lawless
859 559 8736
_________________
Diane Lawless
859 559 8736

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

Thanks for the support, Diane.

There are plenty of people behind this idea, and willing to volunteer and help support it in many different ways, but our biggest stumbling block right now seems to be available space.

At the first mention of this, it seemed that we would be working with a space in the distillery district that was being offered up in kind... but I think that quickly fell through and since then no one else has mentioned any other possible spaces.

Obviously, donated or REALLY dirt cheap rent would be ideal since a community bike shop would likely have little to no means of profit... at least at first it wouldn't.
_________________
------------[] O

dianelawless · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I will see what I can come up with. It may be temporary and have to move but I think we can surely find something. If we do it well then we will have a leg up on having a permanent home.
Thanks
Diane
_________________
Diane Lawless
859 559 8736

politicalhero · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:32 am Post subject:

As Brokebike stated when this thread stated again we were operating under the assumption that space had been dedicated. That fell. I contacted Barry but have not heard anything, I am sure he is busy with his proposal and Tiff stuff.

Also, other folks have met with individuals to find funding but those streets have deadended also.

Diane, free or cheap space is great even if it is transient at first. This town is ready and there is a core group that has been ready to make this happen.

dianelawless · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Hi There,
I don't know names here so not sure who to talk to. I talked with Barry McNeese and he said he does have a space that is a large garage that could be used until about May. That would give time to get some publicity and maybe raise some money.
Has there been any movement to file for non-profit status with the IRS?
That would also be a great idea for a variety of reasons.
If the point person will call me at 859 559 8736 or email me at dglawless@mac.com I will give you the follow-up info.
Thanks
Diane
_________________
Diane Lawless
859 559 8736