Newsletter - August 2008

Dear supporters of Yellow Bike,

Welcome to the August edition of our newsletter.  Read on for the latest news. 

-The Yellow Bike Project (YBP)

YELLOW BIKE CAR CRUSHER - When those other guys ask you to give them your old clunker in the name of "going green" do you wonder what actually happens to the donated autos?  So do we.  If you give your car to Yellow Bike you won't be left wondering if it's still out there chugging away, burning fossil fuels, and contributing green house and polluting gases to the atmosphere.  That's because we'll get them crushed and off the road for good, with a portion of scrap proceeds going to YBP's New Headquarters Fund.  If you want to ease your misery by getting a gas guzzler out of your life, don't shoot it, donate it to Yellow Bike.  Send us an email at austinyellowbike@gmail.com and we'll take it from there.

NEW YELLOW BIKE DOCUMENTARY - This is a documentary of Austin Yellow Bike Project's most recent (June 21st, 2008) human-powered move.  This time we moved our big 4500 sq.ft. headquarters into storage trailers on the site of what will be our new, improved headquarters, which we hope to have completed by Spring 2009.  BIG thanks to Shane Greb, from our local PBS affiliate (KLRU) for initiating and producing this piece.  Watch the documentary here and prepare your self to be moved (by 100% human power of course).

NEW HEADQUARTERS FUND - Our fundraising drive is still going strong.  We are working with the City of Austin on the site development process for our future Main Shop and Headquarters facility at East 12th and Webberville RD.  We hope to raise $250,000 to see the building project through and have already set aside over $100,000 towards this goal.  If you are able to contribute, click here to donate online.

We are also looking for help from licensed electricians, plumbers, and general contractors as well as general help with digging, framing, shop organization, painting, and planting (click here to let us know how you can help). Thanks to everyone who has already contributed or expressed interest in lending their expertise toward making our vision a reality; we will be in touch to take you up on your offer of help as the building process evolves and the time comes to get your hands dirty.  Visit our website for more details on our new home and how you can contribute.

Rendering of YBP's planned headquarters at 1200 Webberville Road (more details...)

ACA AND TBC SHOUT-OUTS - We are very grateful to the Austin Cycling Association (ACA) for helping to organize and fund League of American Bicyclist's Road I and League Cycling Instructor (LCI) training sessions for a number of YBP coordinators.  ACA has generously offered to pay the class fees for both classes for twelve yellow bike coordinators so that we can offer Road I classes to folks once we get our new facility up and running.

We'd also like to thank the Texas Bicycle Coalition for providing us with space for our monthly Collective Meetings while we are in between main shops   Until our new facility is open, collective meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at their headquarters at 1902 E. 6th Street.  These meetings are open to the public and are a good forum to meet the collective and get more involved, or just see what we're up to.  

ACCOUNTANT ADVICE NEEDED - We are looking for professional guidance on keeping our book-keeping up-to-date and accurate as we continue to grow as an organization.  If you have the expertise and time to sit down with our treasurers, please email us (austinyellowbike@gmail.com).

TREASURE CITY SHOP UPDATE - Operations at the Treasure City shop are now super-busy, as it is our only facility while we are in-between main shops.  With this in mind we'd like to update shop users as to current policies as well as reiterating standard YBP procedures. 

• The shop is outfitted with six work-stands and tool sets, available on a check-out basis, so bring a photo id or bike lock key as collateral. 
• We give priority to those who arrive by bike and are in need of repairs and maintenance.  
• No experience is necessary to use the Yellow Bike shop, only a willingness to ask questions and patience with an often crowded, busy shop environment. 
• We don't charge membership fees or hourly rates for tool use and mechanical advice.  However, YBP operates on the assumption that those who use the shop will also give back.  This is what sustains the project and keeps it growing and improving.  Shop users can contribute with cash donations, which go toward replacing tools and shop supplies (not to mention building our new Main Shop), as well as by volunteering to help overhaul and repair ready-to-ride bikes or to help other shop users learn new skills while working on their own bikes.
• Our Earn-a-Bike program is suspended until we open our new Main Shop. 
• We want to help cyclists maintain and repair their bikes while also getting as many unused bikes back on the road as possible, so used parts and ready-to-ride bikes are available in exchange for reasonable donations.  However, we don't enjoy haggling and we generally don't accept trades (Austin is lucky to have a well organized monthly bike swap meet.  See http://www.myspace.com/frankenbike for more info.).
• During open shop hours, we accept donations of usable parts and bikes needing some overhaul and repair.  Due to current space constraints, we can't accept as many bikes in need of extensive repair as we have in the past.  If you have questions about what we can currently use, feel free to email us (austinyellowbike@gmail.com).
• We welcome volunteers interested in gaining Collective membership and Coordinator training (more Coordinators equals more open shop hours). 
• Space for those hoping to meet Community Service requirements is limited and Community Service workers are encouraged to show up at the beginning of the open shop session in order to secure a spot.

SCHEDULE - Subject to change after the first Tuesday of the month - check the website before coming by . . .
In August, Wednesday mornings (9am to Noon) are kid-friendly shops and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday shops have bilingual Coordinators.