https://bikecollectives.org/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Rachael%28at%29sopo 2026-04-09T22:51:53Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.38.2 https://bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shop_Locations&diff=1693 2006-10-06T17:54:11Z

<p>Rachael(at)sopo: </p> <hr /> <div>If your organization is just starting out, ''any'' location is better than no location. Choosing an ideal location is a luxury of funding and organizational success. All the same, sometimes success can be attributed to location, location, location.<br /> <br /> == Good Locations ==<br /> <br /> * '''Next to a University Campus:''' This is especially good if you are a volunteer organization. With every spring comes a new batch of energetic students to replenish your volunteer supply.<br /> <br /> * '''Near public transportation:''' Buses, trains, subways, and light rails put you closer to people with higher social conscience or greater need for a bicycle and your other services. The ideal would be part of a Transit Hub.<br /> <br /> * '''Near high foot traffic areas:''' Just like a for-profit business, there is no better way to get customers than a highly visible area where people just &quot;stop in to check out what you do.&quot;<br /> <br /> == Bad Locations ==<br /> <br /> * '''Industrial:''' You will find some sweet warehouse space out here, but it can be hard to get volunteers to come out to the middle of nowhere.<br /> <br /> == Stories ==<br /> <br /> The [[Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective]] used to have a location in a very low-income part of the Salt Lake Valley. While it was almost impossible to get volunteers down to the space, or paying customers, they did provide a wonderful service to the community. Then they moved to an higher income, but industrial location next to a light rail train stop. While there was a significant decrease in walk-in low-income customers, the drastic increase in volunteers produces more bikes for low-income receipients than the old place. So '''the lesson they learned was that the best location is where your volunteers are most likely to go; reach low-income populations through out-reach programs.'''<br /> <br /> == Paying Rent VS Using Free Space ==<br /> * [http://www.sopobikes.org Sopo Bicycle Co-op] chose to pay rent for a shop space in order to maintain location security. This decision was made based upon observation of the experience of neighboring [http://dybikes.org/ Decatur Yellow Bikes]. Because DYB used spaces available until a new paying tenant signed the lease, the organization received 7 days notice before their move out dates. DYB is currently without a workshop space.<br /> <br /> == Types of Shop Spaces (Private Residence, Warehouse, Other Storage Space, Commercial/Retail Space, Etc) ==<br /> * [http://www.sopobikes.org Sopo BIcycle Co-op]'s first shop space was located in a volunteer's house, which was problematic for at least two reasons. First, shop activities were curbed by the wants and needs of the volunteer's housemates. Second, being located in a private residence appeared to curb outreach. It was difficult to get anyone other than friends of volunteers to show up and use the shop. Relocating to a storage space behind a gallery in a busy pedestrian-friendly(ish) business district in a gentrifying area overrun with hipsters has fixed both of these problems.</div>

Rachael(at)sopo https://bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sopo_Bike_Coop&diff=1692 2006-10-06T17:20:12Z

<p>Rachael(at)sopo: /* References */</p> <hr /> <div>== Mission Statement ==<br /> <br /> Our mission is to create equitable access to cycling by providing no/low-cost bicycle maintenance services and education.<br /> <br /> == Workshop ==<br /> <br /> Our workshop provides a central forum for sharing equipment, materials, and expertise, and facilitates affordable, practical, hands-on support for cyclists of all ages and skill levels.<br /> <br /> == Website ==<br /> <br /> * http://www.sopobikes.org/<br /> <br /> == References ==<br /> <br /> * [[List of Community Bicycle Groups]]<br /> * [http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A72928 Co-op touts two-wheel lifestyle], Creative Loafing 05.10.06<br /> * [http://atlanta.creativeloafingbestof.com/gbase/BestOf/BestOfAwards?Award=oid%3A266322 Best Resource for Cyclists: SOPO Bicycle CO-OP], Creative Loafing 09.06<br /> * [http://www.dryinkmag.com/sopo-bicycle-cooperative Reclaiming the Streets: A bicycle co-op in East Atlanta is getting riders back on the roadways], Dry Ink Magazine 08.06<br /> * [http://atlanta.metblogs.com/archives/2005/08/co_ops_in_atlan.phtml Co-ops in Atlanta], Metroblogging Atlanta 08.16.05</div>

Rachael(at)sopo