26 Apr - Westwood Middle School Repair Clinic

I've just returned from Westwood Middle School where we gave a lecture to the Kaleidoscope afterschool program on bike maintenance and repair.  As is common for these types of programs kids come and go throughout the lecture so it's hard to give an attendance number.  There were 18 at the start and 8 at the end though, several of them were very interested.  All of them calmed down and listened after they saw how useful the information could be.  No pictures since I didn't get a volunteer to help me out.  I got to ride my own bike there with all of the tools and presentation materials.  Several of the kids brought bikes to trade so we'll be sending back 3, and 2 helmets.  In case you were thinking of asking, we ARE getting paid for this - pretty reasonably in fact.  Enough to cover our costs and some refueling for me.  Special thanks to Sandy Cress of "Our Studio" for using her truck to bring back bikes from the school.  I have no idea how I would have fit them on the bike trailer.
In other news, our latest MDS student groups have just turned in their time sheets for the last time.  We'd like to recognize them for the great help they've been at repairing bikes, planning/running the tradeup day and general help around the place.  Several of them are staying on til Friday in fact, to help run the bike clinic at Perry Elementary in Mt. Morris.
And this just in from the "Unexpected Good News" bureau, when I got back from Westwood there were 12 donated bikes from a shop in Ohiopyle at the door waiting for me.  Kevin had actually called earlier to me to let me know he would be coming, several of them will fix up nicely.  He said he's been saving these since he got our card 2 years ago and just now finally had enough to make a truckload.  Thanks!

Now to finalize the details for the Perry School clinic, and next week's bike (1100 kids) clinic in Martinsburg.  Do I hear any volunteer helpers who would like to get away for a few days?

25 Apr - Leadership

A friend sent this YouTube video with lessons about leadership.  Although it looks goofy, it has a message that applies to expanding the sustainable transportation movement in Morgantown.  I hope you like it.
Yesterday we had another great day at the shop, same as just about every day - but more of you need to be the first followers - not just walking and biking, but being so joyful and excited about it that others WANT to join in because they see it as a FUN necessity.  Followers won't want to be like the leader, they'll want to be like the followers.
Special thanks to Aman for volunteering the past few days as part of his course work - that guy can really make our bikes SHINE.  Thanks also to Duncan for helping out in the shop, and to Will for being there at just about every Wednesday and Saturday work session since we started.

This afternoon I went on a scouting ride to check out the route to Westwood Middle School where I'll be giving a bike maint/repair workshop to afterschool students.  On the way out I met Tony, a rather amazing guy.  He had a stroke a few years ago and to recover he's chosen daily bike riding as his physical therapy.  He started by using our electric trike, which allowed him to start building up the balance and stamina to ride under his own power.  Then he purchased a recumbent trike, then traded in the electric trike for our EZ Sport recumbent bike.  He put about 900 miles on it last season that way.  This Spring he put on a Bionix electric assist motor and has put on 350 miles in just the past few weeks.  Today he was on his way back from the recycling center where he had dropped 2 bags of stuff.  As I left him he was apparently feeling cheeky and snuck up and passed me as I was going out River Road.  Once I realized it was a race I passed him back and held him off until the road started to climb (past the recycling center).  He caught up with me and we stopped so I could take this picture.  He decided to go home then rather than embarass me on the climb, leaving my ego intact.  It's great to see him having so much fun, especially since it was Positive Spin that made his recovery possible - and FUN.

I continued my ride out River Road to Westwood School, then to the Mountaineer Wellness Center (the old Waitman-Barbe school) and returned to town via Glory Barn Road, Highway 19, Dupont Rd and River Road.  Then I went up the Deckers Creek trail a ways and into Sabreton to visit a friend.  On the return I passed Hazel Ruby Park where a steel drum band was playing.  About 30 miles of riding and an immeasurable number of smiles, on a beautiful spring day with the smell of new growth so thick you could chew it.  Looking forward to this week.

23 April - More bikes

Good evening,
Bikes are still trickling in from our Spring donation, we received about a dozen more today with promises of more to come.  This is good because they are going out even faster.  We have a big backlog of customer repairs and rehabs, as well as a hal-dozen bikes to put out on the showroom (if they don't disappear before then).  Thought you might be interested in a few informal metrics we track for information. 
- We get approximately 1000 bikes every year, a third are repaired for local use, a third shipped overseas and the rest stripped for usable parts and scrapped.
- Customers typically pay our asking price for bikes (or more).
- We've had several tinkerers come into the shop that just need our pool of parts for home projects or inventions.
- Bike recycling generally brings a gross income of $6-10,000 per year
- Other income is from editing websites, teaching bike safety to school youth and other freelancing.
- About half of our volunteers come from WVU (CCE students and students  who volunteer on their own
- The rest of our volunteers are members of the community who share our passion for sustainable transportation right here.
- We give away bikes to area environmental groups as a way of getting more volunteers.  They pay the recommended price for their bike by sending their volunteers to work with us for $10/hr.  We get a better appreciation for their purpose, and get to know their people.  They are able to raise more money.
That's all the time there is tonite.  Hope to see you at the Friends of Deckers Creek "Spring Meltdown" at the Brewing Co from 7-10pm tonite. 
Have a great weekend.
Nick

22 Apr - Happy Earth Day

Good evening,
It's been a busy Earth Day starting with a workshop session at MTEC this morning.  The expected students didn't show up so it ended early after repairing a bike for a student.
After that it was back to the shop where the Industrial Engineering students and MDS students helped fix more kids' bikes.  At 1:30 we went to the Green Fair on the Mountainlair Green - which ended up being moved indoors because of threatening weather.  The turnout was huge and it sounds like we'll have a few new volunteers and customers as a result.  The generator got a lot of interest and excitement from many people who passed through.  We were set up next to the WVU bike racing team who all took it for a spin.   Thanks to our  MDS and service learning volunteers who helped hand out literature and promote our efforts.  Here are a few pictures.

This last picture is the winner of the bike drawing.  I promised her that within 15 minutes I'd have her all over the internet.  Sorry it took a little longer.  Congratulations Stacy!

Tonite is the Sierra Swing sponsored by the Student Sierra Club at WVU.  We've also donated a bike to them, come out for great music and support this great environmental cause to celebrate Earth Day and enter to win a Schwinn Frontier Mountain bike.  Tomorrow nite is the Friends of Decker's Creek "Spring Meltdown" where yet another Positive Spin bike will be raffled off.  Help support restoration and preservation efforts, and have a good time with great people and music at the West Virginia Brewing Company.

Last item, they've been keeping a bike for us over at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore.  Can anyone drop by and pick it up during their business hours?  Thanks.
I'm off to party.
Nick

20 Apr - More volunteer opportunities

This is the first week for our (slightly) reduced Summer hours, we'll be closed Sun-Tues and open Wed 1-7pm, Thurs-Sat 1-5pm. It's still usually a good idea to call and let us know you're coming in case we have to run out for an errand.  Volunteers should call anytime, we'll work around your schedule for you.  Speaking of which, we have a large group project (6-10 volunteers) if you'd like to come in with some of your friends.  There's a big pile of bikes that needs to be prepped for shipping, and parts to sort and box.  Shipment goes out May 29th, but we know most of the students will be gone before then so now's the time for it.

This morning I thought I'd take advantage of my rest day for a joyride.  I decided to check out totally - didn't tell anyone where I was going, left the phones behind, now water, tools or spare tube.  Just the door keys.  I rode up Decker's Creek to a dirt road that went uphill to a ridgetop.  I parked my bike out of sight and hiked to the top where I was facing the quiet side of a valley.  A 4-wheeler went by about 100 yds away as soon as I got there but it was totally quiet after that.  I found a beautiful rock ledge and laid down for a quiet nap under the Spring sun with the leaves budding above me and nothing but the sound of birds singing and darting around.  Aaaaahhhh....  I hated to come back but I  did have some things to do.  Why can't it be this peaceful everywhere?

Speaking of volunteer opportunities, we could use help handing out information and talking to people at a couple of events.  Thursday from 2-6pm the Green Fair at the Mountainlair has given us a table.  Please come help hand out brochures and have a good time if you can make it.  Friday nite is the "Friends of Deckers Creek" Spring Meltdown.  They'll be giving away one of our bikes, and letting us hand out info and recruit more members and volunteers.  We'd also appreciate your help there.

We're expecting a couple of shipments this week.  More bike pins are coming as well as bike locking cables, commuter tires and more helmets.  Lots of bikes to fix from tradeup day still so stop in and help out when you can. I'll close with another picture from tradeup day, thanks to Tim - one our MDS students who will be finishing this week.  Thanks to all of you, and all of our volunteers.

Thanks,
Nick

19 Apr - Week of Engagement

In addition to being Earth week this is WVU Center for Civic Engagement's "Week of Engagement".  Today we staffed an information table at the Mountain Lair from 11am to 2pm.  Many people came through on their way to lunch but only a few stopped.  One of them is interested and enthusiastic being a new volunteer for us.  That's all it takes to make it worth the time.  In addition we connected with volunteers from other organizations and got to spend some quality time with the great staff at CCE.

Just a few pictures that happened to be in my camera chip that I thought I'd include here.  This picture was taken last Thursday as I was picking up helmets from Rock Forge to take to our homeschooler bike safety clinic.  These madly pedaling toddlers raised $1100 for a cancer fund to help their friend.  Do you suppose we could raise that kind of money by going around in circles?

And finally, over the weekend I took off after work to ride out the Mon river trail to Little Falls and this is what it looked like there, with the tree buds just starting to come out.  By today I suspect the trees are all fully in leaf.

18 Apr - Happy Earth Week

Good morning,
We had a hugely successful Tradeup Day on Saturday in terms of volunteers, customers, bikes received, bikes sent out, repair backlog and income.  Thanks to all of you who worked hard to help make it a success.  That includes our long-time volunteer, MDS students and 3 new volunteers who showed up by sheer grace at the right time with a great attitude ofr getting more people on the bikes they'll ride.  We didn't gather numbers on anything except income for the day which was over $400.

With repairs that we'll be finishing in the coming weeks that will probably climb to $600 or more.  But the real payoff was the excitement of the kids and adults who are riding for either the first time, or the first time in years.

We also exhibited our pedal generator and handed information out at the Impact EARTH fair downtown.  This was also a great opportunity to let people know about us, and we got a lot of business sent to us from it.

There's not a lot of time to relish the success though.  Earth Week is also very busy for us, we'll be tabling at events and donating bikes to various events and we need your help.  Take a look at the calendar and call us at the shop at 304-276-0213 if you can spend some time helping out.  It starts today with the Center for Civic Engagement's Partner Fair where we'll be showcased for providing students with a fun and meaningful service learning experience.  This is just the kickoff for their Week of Engagement, we hope to recruit volunteers to help us fix all the bikes we received this weekend and help prepare bikes and parts for overseas shipment. You can help out too, just ask us how.

13 Apr - It's late, I'm tired so this is short

It's been another busy day, we...
- Retrieved bikes from yesterday's successful bike clinic at Rock Forge Neighborhood house
- Took scrap to the warehouse, brought back bikes for the tradeup day
- Hosted MDS student volunteers who are now feverishly working the publicity for Tradeup Day
Thanks to Duncan Oliver for the generous use of his truck for hauling (again).  I smacked the tail light backing up, but a new one is on the way and I'll install it first thing tomorrow.  Sorry.

In the office I...
- Sent out proposals for classes at Westwood Middle School (bike repair), Clarksburg (SRTS) and Martinsburg (SRTS)
- Completed the final report on last week's SRTS classes in Charleston, will post as soon as I get photos.
- Started drafting a mini-report on the Rock Forge classes


Tomorrow and the rest of the week will be at least as busy with...
- Final arrangements for the Homeschool Bike Clinic in Fairmont Thursday
- Prep for the Tradeup Day Saturday
- Finalizing other class and event arrangements
- Setting up a list serve to blast email notices about shop goings-on

As you can guess we need volunteers!  Call the shop or stop in from 1-5 M-Sat, Wed til 7.  We need you.  Nobody has answered this call yet and those of us that have been doing everything are starting get burned out.
Don't let this happen!
Thanks, Nick

10 Apr - A Busy Day

Good evening,
I'm writing this at the end of a very eventful day.  We had things going on at once:
1) Tau Beta Pi - repairing bikes for Tradeup Day, preparing bikes for overseas shipment.  Shown below is the morning work crew getting bikes stripped for parts to send overseas.

2) Fun Day with MCCAC at Mountaineer Mall - Bike Clinic (assisted by TBP volunteers).  There was a good turnout, shown below is the family that won a bike from Positive Spin in the grand prize drawing.  This is a Latino immigrant family and I suspect this was a big deal for them.  On the left are 2 of our TBP volunteers who helped with the afternoon bike clinic.

3) Usual bike repair and recycling at the shop.  We had  a number of people come in for bikes and repair while we were supervising engineering students who ably cleaned and repaired kids bikes for next Saturday's Bike Tradeup day.  Make your plans now.

4) Supporting the Clarksburg Bike Rodeo (in conjunction with collegiate roadbike racing).  Yesterday we dropped off bikes for them to use on a course they've constructed using the League-recommended layout.  Early reports are that it was a big hit with large crowds of kids.

Thanks to a full complement of VERY enthusiastic volunteers we were able to get it all done with everyone enjoying it fully.  If you were one of them THANK YOU and come back again soon.  If you weren't one of them come in soon and find out how fun and gratifying it can be.
Nick

8 Apr - From Charleston

Good evening,
I'm staying in Charleston, WV tonite after having finished my first Safe Routes classes at Piedmont Elementary.  Taught about 100 kids today, another 67 to go tomorrow and I'm still enjoying it.  I think I may be cut out for this.  My hosts are the Jesse family who are keeping me at their beautiful Southern Mansion on the East end, a block from the school.

 They've also been showing me the sights around town, regaling me with stories about their biking past and the local transportation scene.

While riding downtown today I bumped into my friend Dennis Strawn who I accompanied with the WV contingent at the Bike Summit last month.  He passed on the photograph that was taken of us all with Congressman Rayhall on lobbying day of the summit.

   Tomorrow I'll finish the classes at 1pm, then head to Clarksburg to help set up a class there to be held in conjunction with the bike races on Saturday.  We've still got WAY more work on Saturday than we have volunteers, if you can help out please call me.  There are also opportunities on Monday when we give our class at the Rock Forge Neighborhood house.
    It's been a busy day, I'm off to bed.
Nick

Apr 6 - Last desperate call for volunteers

UPDATE:  I have been unable to find anyone to cover the shop in my absence so we will be closed today through Friday (Apr 7-9), but back to regular times on Saturday Apr 10.  I was able to find someone to answer the cellphone if you need to talk to someone before then.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Good evening,
Wednesday about 1pm I'll leave for Charleston to give our first "Safe Routes to Schools" bike clinic at Piedmont elementary.  While I'm gone it would be great if someone could take the cellphone and be at the shop from 1-5 Wed-Friday.  Aside from customers there will be volunteers who need to told what to work on.  Any takers?

Also, we are doing several events on Saturday and can use volunteers - particularly for the bike skills clinic at Morgantown Mall.  Call the shop phone if you can help out.
Thanks,
Nick

Apr 2 - Bike of the week

Good afternoon,
This bike was donated yesterday.  It's in pristine condition, I pumped up the tires and took it out for an errand ride.  I've been riding it more today after some minor tuneup and cleanup.  Although I still prefer recumbents, this really brought back some memories as it's the first time I've been on a road bike in about 20 years.  If anyone is interested in this bike it is for sale.  Act fast though, if no one buys it we'll ship it off to someplace where it will get used.
People are starting to bring in their bikes for tuneups and repairs and our showroom bikes are flying out the door.  More people are out on the trail, many of them thanks to your volunteer efforts at Positive Spin.  There is all the other wonder of Spring as well - birds singing, cherry trees blossoming, trees budding and flowers beginning to bloom. 

If you're out this weekend please stop by Our Studio on East Brockway (near Marilla Park) for their big moving sale.  Positive Spin has donated a bike to help them raise funds to continue their education and craft programs.  You can score some good deals and learn more about what they do for recycling and the creative arts.  More at www.ourstudio.org.

1 Apr - Sustainably-built sustainable transportation, car donation

Saw this reference to an article from 2008 about a home-built wooden velomobile.  This is great news to someone like myself with woodworking skills and aversion to fiberglass.
http://www.exacteditions.com/exact/browse/399/442/4594/3/42?dps=

 

Today Positive Spin received it's most unique donation yet during our Spring bike collection. A 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 was apparently dropped off at our shop anonymously during the night, and found sitting next to the ever-growing pile of derelict bicycles this morning at opening time. Like many donated bicycles we receive, this vehicle appears to have never been used. Although the stainless steel is a bit dulled the running gear is in excellent condition and the tires show absolutely no wear. Naturally we'll be stripping the guts out of it so we can put pedals in it and show it in parades. What better demonstration of appropriate use of human power! The WVU cycling team has already been contacted about providing the legpower for this unique showcar. Two riders will pedal, the rest will push from the bumper. The car may also be used for VIP transport during WVU football games from Grand Central Station to Milan Pushkar stadium. Football players themselves will be needed for the climb up the hill to University Ave.
Your Truly,
Folo Prail
Acquisitions Director
Positive Spin

Mar 31 - New Streamliner

Good afternoon,
Last week I returned to Morgantown with my new car, a homebuilt full-suspension pedaled streamliner.  Today with Chad Jones (volunteer of the day) we put the fairing back on and rode around in the parking lot for some short demonstration riding.  It was a great ride, even though it was just around the parking lot.  Come to the shop and check it out if you're interested.  We'll be doing some rehab on this bike in the coming weeks.  I plan to make it my Wadestown commuter.  You can also view the video at this link to see it in action:


Today we made final arrangements with Duncan Bock of the Greenriders  for their June visit to Morgantown.  Duncan and his sister will be riding electric-assisted bikes across country from CA to DC.  They'll leave their home on Earth Day, April 23rd.  Along the way they'll be showcasing heroes of the environment who are making the necessary changes in lifestyle to make our lives sustainable - enjoyably.  In Morgantown they'll be the featured speakers at Green Night at the Library (Thursday June 24) and will also be guests for an event at the Paul Brown home in South Park the following day.  Positive Spin will support their message with information on how you can make your transportation more sustainable.  You can view their trip map and updates here:
http://thegreenriders.blogspot.com/

Mar 28 - Getting people out on bikes

Yesterday was busy at the shop.  It seems as though everybody in town decided that they wanted a bike at 3pm.  It was just Will and I trying to help "too many" customers.  A wonderful problem to have, but I hope more of you out there will consider coming in to volunteer on Saturdays.  There's always work to be done and with you there to do it we're more free to help customers - all of us will be getting more people on bikes more often.  It was a beautiful day, so I got some riding in myself - running errands and helping out at "Our Studio" where I'm also a board member.  They're moving to a new (smaller) location just off High Street.  They can use your help today if you can spare some time.  More info at www.ourstudio.com.
Collections for the "Bikes for the World" shipment are going well.  We're about halfway to a full truckload with 2 months left to go.  Donations have started coming in for our Spring bike collection and we expect many more in the coming weeks.  We'll be open 1-5 Monday-Sat this week during Spring Break.  If you have some time please come in and help out (call a day or so in advance if you can).

Here's a link to a friend's site - Greg Kolodziejzyk is an ultra-marathon athlete who is building a boat that he will pedal across the Pacific Ocean from Canada to Hawaii this Summer.  Greg is like the Steve Fossett of human power.  This is a video tour of the ocean-crossing boat:
He is currently conducting sea trials, read more at his blog.

Thanks,
Nick

Mar 27 - Bikes for the World, Bikes from the World

Good morning,
Yesterday we started collecting bikes and parts for shipment to Cumberland, MD in May.  From there they will go to "Bikes for the World" Vienna, Va and then on to anyplace in the world where they are needed for transportation.  Although we didn't get all the volunteers we expected, the ones that showed up finished an amazing amount of work in a short time.  Thanks to Tim, Duncan, Jim, Mark, and (Mark's girlfriend) who helped sort and strip bikes at the warehouse and sort parts at the shop.  This is our annual opportunity to clean house by sending parts that we don't need to places where they'll get used.  As we get more bikes and parts from our Spring Drive there will be more work to do.  Please consider volunteering as a group or individual to help us out.  Through the drive we'll be open Mon-Sat 1-5pm, Wed til 7pm.

I saw this article on one of the blogs I read, it gives you an idea of how popular velomobiles are becoming (at least in Europe).  Velomobiel.nl produce the shell for Strada in Slovakia now and they need to transport big amount of shells from there to Netherlands where final assembly occurs.  In North America velomobiles are slowly becoming available, primarily from Blue Velo in Toronto, Canada.  It's only a matter of time before you'll see one in Morgantown.

Lastly, we have a close working relationship with Our Studio, a Morgantown educational art program.  This weekend they are having a big moving/fundraising sale at 601 E Brockway Ave (map).  Please show up and see what they've got, you'll be glad you did.

Mar 25 - Spring Bike Collection

Good morning,
Our Spring bike collection is fully underway this week and Tau Beta Pi has done an excellent job providing publicity again.  See the articles at these links:
State Journal:
WBOY Channel 12 TV, State Journal , (more to come)

Yesterday was a big day for volunteers.  Lots of students have been coming in to get their hours out of the way before Spring break and there were over a dozen people in the shop at one point - a great situation when the Channel 12 reporter showed up.  However, I'd just like to mention that if you are part of a group that is coming in, please call a day or more in advance so I can have plenty of work ready.  We nearly ran out of things to do at the end of the day - not because there wasn't work, but because I didn't have everything together to do it all.  Today I've got plenty more ready if you do show up, but I still appreciate some warning.

In the morning I went for a ride to Pt. Marion to see how the Mon River Trail was recovering from our eventful Winter weather.  All of the trees have been cleared to the state line, and there is just one place on the PA side where you have to scramble through a bit.  It looked like clearing has begun and by the time you read this things may be all cleared up.  I hope to do it again tomorrow and I'll let you know what I see.  It was a great reminder of why we ride.  The trees are budding, birds are singing, the river is flowing fast with spring melt and rains.  It was a great way to recharge my emotional batteries.
Remember, the best way to promote walking and biking is to get out and do it so other people see how much fun you're having and want to join in.
Have a great day.

Mar 22 - Back to business, and busy-ness

Good evening,
After returning from a week-long road trip (Florida to drive a car back for friends, Apex NC to inspect a school site for June bike classes, Raleigh to pick up a new bike, Martinsville to spend a few days with raw-food friends and Charlottesville for an LCI seminar) today was my first full day in the shop.  I expected it to be quiet for a while before people discovered I was back, but apparently there was a lot of pent-up demand.  We had calls starting early in the morning to donate ,borrow and buy bikes.  Also lots of students are choosing to do their volunteer hours with us before going off on Spring break.  This afternoon we had a particularly memorable customer brought to us by connecting link (ph 304-296-3300) who needs to get to work at a night-shift job in Sabreton on bike.  It turned out we had the perfect bike for her, and accessories to go along with it.  We'll be getting her fitted out tomorrow.  This is just the kind of thing we are here for, and we hope to get more referrals from Connecting Link now that they know about us.
This week we begin our Spring bike collection to get us enough bikes for the Summer.  We'll need a LOT at the rate they're going out the door.  If you (or anyone you know) have bikes you aren't using and you'd like to see them find a good home please send them our way.
On Friday afternoon from 1-5pm we'll be doing a big strip party at the warehouse.  Just to clear things up, this means we'll be stripping usable parts off unrepairable bikes.  This is very labor intensive, but fun when you have plenty of people doing it.  If you're available please give a call to the shop and we'll sign you up, we'd love to have your help.
Thanks,
Nick

20 Mar - LCI Seminar

Good evening,
I'm in Charlottesville, VA (home of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello) assisting with the League of American Bicyclists' "League Certified Instructor" seminar.  We have 14 students, 4 assistant instructors and the lead instructor - Preston Tyree.  If you don't know Preston you should at least get to know his work - he is the national director of education for the League and has been instrumental in developing all of the teaching curricula - Traffic Skills (101 & 102), Commuter, Group Riding, Safe Routes to Schools, etc..  Taking a bike class from Preston is like having Jesus for a Bible Study leader.  Preston is always positive and helpful, knowledgable and more experienced than anyone else I know.  The picture above shows Preston directing the group to ride in formation, closer than they ever have before, while drinking from their water bottles and looking back for traffic.  The entire weekend was a great time, in addition to a great learning experience.  The best part of it was watching cyclists conquer their fears of pack riding and and busy intersections.  The self-confidence that comes from this spills into everything else they do.  The second best part of the class is that Frank won't be the only lonely LCI's in the state any more.  We now have Ryan, Marilyn and Gunnar for company - pretty pleasant company too.  I'm now hoping to give a few of them the additional training to become youth and parent instructors so we can get another generation on bikes.

Mar 17 - A new bike

Good evening,
I don't usually make a big deal about my new bike purchases but this one is unique - and practical.  It's a carbon homebuilt (~2000) made by John Tetz of the Metro (NY) Area Recumbent Society (MARS).  I picked it up in Raleigh NC where Roger Vale had taken it after purchasing it but deciding not to keep it.  I'll be using it to make the regular commute from the shop to Wadestown.  There is a detailed construction history at this link:  http://www.recumbents.com/mars/pages/proj/tetz/OFS/projtetzOFS.html
Come by the shop next week if you're interested in seeing the real thing.  I took it on a magnificent ride today.
Tomorrow I'll be in Charlottesville, VA to attend Bike League instructor training with a group of other Morgantown cyclists getting their LCI certification.  I'll be back on Sunday.  In the meantime John Dorsey is handling the shop and you can call him at the regular number if you need to get in outside regular hours.

Mar 12 - A new era

I've just returned from the National Bike Summit in DC.  In addition to the celebrities I was able to hobnob with (that's Gary Fisher in the photo above) there were 3 other delegates from WV - Kim Broughton (Parkersburg), Dennis Strawn (Charleston) and Brian (?) from Martinsburg.  On Thursday we met with aides for Senators Rockefeller and Byrd, and Representatives Capitio, Mollohan and Rayhall (who met with us personally - photo coming soon).  All were very receptive to our requests to support legislation (Safe Routes to Schools, Active Communities Transportation and Complete Streets) , joining the bike caucus and supporting increased funding for non-motorized transportation (NMT).  WV leads the country from the bottom with 0.2% NMT funding yet 8% of trips are non-motorized (14% in Morgantown).  It was a great big deal when Sec. LaHood made the following proclamation at the closing reception: "People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”  Let's get this message out in Morgantown - tell everyone, not just bureacrats, because leaders will make the changes demanded by the people who elect them.
More breaking news on the new DOT bike/ped policy at this link:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm

The 10 mile bike ride on Friday was a great success in spite of threatening rain (which didn't amount to anything).  I was the sole West Virginian on the ride, my "mountaineer tough" compatriots skipped out, I have pictures of the young family who stuck it out for the ride - just to make them feel (justifiably) guilty.

Thank you!

Mar 9 - Bike Summit

Good evening,
The summit opened tonite, this picture shows Dennis S. (from Charleston) and I at the opening reception where we heard some from some of the other small communities who have made bicycling a big part of their communities (and economies).  A small town in MN (pop 800) who put in a trail saw their hotel tax proceeds rise from $250K to $4.7 MILLION after putting in the trail.  League leadership made it clear that now that we have separate trails to ride on and have shown our economic impact, it's time for us to have space on the road.  That's what this summit is going to be all about - passing the:
Safe Routes to Schools Act
Active Communities Act
and Complete Streets Act.
Fortunately Dennis tells me that all of our lawmakers are already planning to vote in favor of these bills so all we have to do when we show up is thank them.  We'll still ask them to do more of course, but this is a great position to be in.  Please take any opportunity you can to write Mollohan, Rockefeller or Byrd and thank them for their support of better roads for bikes and other vehicles to share.  Then let them know what else you'd like to see.
And keep in touch with them.  In the advocate training workshop they reminded us that you have to stay in this for the long term.  Copenhagen and Madison, WI took 30 years to get where they are.  Using their example we can do it faster, but only if we stay on the job
Thank you.

Nick

Mar 6 - How to get things done

Short answer: Do them. This week a customer came in looking for a donor bike for a project, and we had time while sitting in gridlocked traffic to talk about some things. This gentleman, Stan, was the first president of the Mon Rail Trail Coalition (MRTC). Before that though he lived in Masontown where the railbed had been abandoned and cleared but not graded. Stan knew someone with a grader, so they graded it. This kept going until the graded section of the railbed reached Morgantown, where it might would have been an embarassment to do nothing - so things got done. Activists in Morgantown got together, made a plan and implemented it to create the 50+ miles of trails we now enjoy. If there's something you want done and you're hoping for help or cooperation from someone else, stop waiting. Do what you can do now to get the ball rolling, then it will be much easier for others to see how they can help.
In case you can't think of anything, let me share some ideas. This week I'll be travelling to the 10th annual Bike Summit in Washington, DC where much of our time will be spent lobbying senators and congressmen to vote for legislation that promotes biking and walking. It will make our job a lot easier if you're sending letters and calls to their offices to let them know you back us up - and you vote.
Here's the web page with more information (Specifically on the Active Communities Transportation act)
http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/blog/2636/
Other bills currently in consideration include:
“Safe Routes to Schools” Act S. 1156/HR 4021
“Complete Streets” Act - S. 584/HR 1443

And whenever you have the chance advocate for
1) Bike/ped safety education as a requirement in schools (rider education at the grade school level, bike/ped awareness in drivers' education) This will have impact beyond training the current generation of walkers/bikers, it will educate the next generation of voters, legislators, planners and traffic engineers.
2) Increases in non-motorized funding to a level comparable to its mode-share in WV (currently we're the worst - walking/biking is 8% of all traffic, but only gets 0.2% of transportation funding).
Talk to your senators (Byrd, Rockefeller) and congressman (Mollohan). Candidates are already appearing to replace Mollohan after his current term expires, so let these candidates know that you want Morgantown to be a place to walk and bike safely, instead of the traffic slum it's become.
Nick

Mar 3 - It's starting already?!

This evening we had our first bike sale since Christmas, a woman buying a good bike for her husband on his 50th birthday tomorrow.  He bought her a bike for her last birthday and she's looking forward to going out riding together.  Hope he likes it, it was a beautiful bright red GT mountain bike - sweet ride!  Several other customers were in today and may be buying bike(s) tomorrow.  We'd stockpiled about a half dozen bikes to prepare for a busy Summer, but at the rate things are going we'll need a lot more donations to keep up.  If you have good bikes at home that aren't being put to good use please consider donating them to us - it's fun, empowering and tax-deductible.
Tonite we received notice that Bikes for the World will be doing their annual collection and pick up in Cumberland, MD in association with the Cumberland Rotary Club.  They've asked us to bring out our excess bikes to help provide basic transportation in developing countries, as we've done for the past few years.
During ship time tonite Pete (from Waynesburg) got our next pedal generator going, this is the one with the professionally-machined roller.  It works like a champ!  Thanks Pete. The generator will be going to a paying customer as soon as I can get him on the phone.
As I was closing shop tonite a young gentleman named John came in to volunteer.  He's enrolled at WVU for Summer but has lots of time to help out until then and a passion for working on bikes.  He's new in town having moved here from LA, if you see him he may ask for help finding work or moving furniture - help him out if you can.  We want to keep this guy around, he shares our passion for pedalled transportation.  In LA he volunteered at Bike Wave, another community bike shop.
Have a great nite!
Nick

Mar 2 - Getting things rolling

Today I purchased helmets, lights and bike pins to use in our Spring bike/ped classes.  These are vendors we have been using for a while so they recognize our name when we call and ask us how things are going.  I don't really know how to answer this question yet.  While awareness of biking and walking is on the rise, we don't have a way to measure it yet.  The things we do measure, like how many volunteers show up on a regular basis, are small and increasing slightly - enough to give some encouragement.  Wouldn't it be great if there were a huge outpouring of support though?  If you're in  a position to do so please renew your membership, volunteer your time and tell all your friends to do the same.  A big shift in the number of people walking and biking might be what it takes to keep our last 2 remaining neighborhood grade schools (Woodburn and Suncrest) and improve their non-motorized access.  This is a current and critical issue.
Tomorrow at 9 AM we'll be at MTEC with 2 of our WVU MDS Capstone students to give basic bike repair/maintenance instruction, and talk about having the students work together painting bike frames.
Thanks for your support!  Nick

1Mar - Start of the bike/ped Education Season

Good morning,
If you've been following things here or in the shop you've heard me mention that we now have classes lined up in 2 WV schools (Charleston and Martinsburg) as well as Apex NC in June.  In addition we have local bike rodeos for MCCAC, Ridgedale School, Girl Scouts and of course Tradeup Day April 17.  Although those days may seem far away it's we have to start ordering helmets, pins, literature and lights for those events now so we have time to get them shipped here, and before they run out.  Our income from recycled bikes is almost nothing at this time of year, so this is a shameless plea to ask you to renew your membership or make a donation to help us pay for these items.  Also, if you have spare time please come in and work in the office to help apply for grants and assist with the planning for the year.  It's mostly me and I could really use the help and encouragement.
Yesterday's Dominion Post featured this letter from a visiting Nebraskan who was appalled by the poor state of snow clearing in our fair city and gave a few suggestions for improving it.  It serves as a good reminder that, although Mountaineers should always be free to work for their own future, no one is free from the responsibility of ensuring the safety of those around them - other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists who need to get places too.

25 Feb - a busy day in the office

Good evening,
Between naps to sleep off a cold I decided to stay in the office today and clean out old emails and follow up on leads that have been piling up for the past few weeks.  Here's a sample of what transpired;
Allliance for Biking and Walking is offering to donate a van to a bike/ped non-profit who makes the best case for needing it in their operation.  Turns out today is the deadline, our application is IN and has been acknowledged.  No guarantees on this, but I think we have a good case.
Rock Forge Neighborhood House has had us over to give bike/ped safety classes in the past, now that we have a new curriculum and need to try it out we've scheduled tentatively for Monday March 15.  We could use volunteers for this, especially if you have a truck or van to cart bikes to the site.  They have an indoor gym where we'll set up the course.
The Green Riders of Palo Alto will be passing through Morgantown in June on their continent-crossing electric bike ride and they  contacted us today to feature us on their blog and in their video when they are in town.  We will probably be presenting at Mon Cty Library's Green Night when they are here.
WV Safe Routes to Schools - On Monday we met with  coordinator Becky Davisson, she informed us that the many schools in the state who have gotten funds to build sidewalks are now looking for a way to provide the bike/ped safety instruction required by the grant.  Since we have the only instructor in the state (and possibly region) this means lots of opportunities to present classes and certify new instructors.  I set up one class in Charleston and have been asked to do another in Martinsburg.  Volunteers will be needed to support these trips.
Morgantown High School Young Democrats  - Lastly, Josh called to invite us to exhibit at their green night at the school on Friday March 26.  This is bike drive week so we may ask attendees in advance if they can bring out bikes to donate.  We'll bring our bike generator to power bike videos - we'd like to have one made about us if there's anyone out there who would do that.
More tomorrow.
Nick

19 Feb - Velomobiles for the 21st Century

Good morning,
This article was written by a friend of mine, more eloquently than I could ever put it.  Check it out.
http://urbanmobilityproject.blogspot.com/2010/02/velomobile-21st-century-eco-solution.html
Nick

16 Feb - Welcome to Winter

It's good to remember at times like this when the snow starts piling up, that the roads were built and paid for by all people - not just the ones in cars.  That means that everyone is has a right to use them, not just the ones in cars.  The legal "right of  way" means that when there's a way to get somewhere, everyone has a right to safe use of it.  This is a shared right  - not an exclusive one.  If you're driving it means that if the sidewalks are impassable on a given street, if they don't exist or haven't been shovelled for example, pedestrians have a right to use the road and motorists have a responsibility to give them safe room and slow down if necessary to give everyone time to react and adjust to each other.
Of course motorists should drive at or BELOW the speed limit.  Apparently it isn't obvious to everyone that a posted speed is an UPPER limit, not a lower one.  Also, bikes have the right of way on public roads at this time of year just like any other.  Every public road is already a bike lane.  This may mean it takes a few seconds longer to get where you're going, take the time to relax a little.  That will benefit everyone too.
Nick

26 Jan - City Council Meeting 6:30 tonite to discuss Pedestrian Plan

Good morning,
If you haven't already made your plans for this evening please consider coming out to the city council meeting at City Hall where the budget for the next year will be discussed.  A major sustainable transportation initiative to be discussed will be the Pedestrian Plan and fee proposed by the Pedestrian Safety Board.  The board is asking your support, here's Christiaan Abildso's email describing what you can do.

1) Tues, Jan 26 6:30 - City Council meeting to develop budget priorities (Don Spencer will propose the fee as a priority)

---I will attend to encourage ped plan/fee prioritization; not many others need attend

2) Thurs, Jan 28 6:30 - Public Forum hosted by the DP re: plan/fee - South Middle School auditorium

---Bill & I will present the plan

***!!!we need as many as can be there to be there!!!***

 

In other news, we are continuing to write grant applications to help get funding to cover our operating costs now that we've gone beyond just bike recycling.  Eventually we expect to get sustaining income from memberships, consulting, education programs, etc - but we are now in the organizational phase known as "capacity building".  For this funding we are looking to city, county and foundation grants.  Naturally the easiest programs to get funded are the ones that we are already doing, so our focus is on bike riding/repair skills and trip planning.  If you'd like to help draft these proposals, which are due in the next few weeks, we could really use your help.

Additionally we are receiving a large amount of student volunteer help from the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) Multi-Disciplinary Studies (MDS) teams and individuals.   We can also use help supervising these volunteers.  Call the shop for details.

Special thanks to Jessica Weber, a new WVU grad student in Public Administration who has volunteered her time and energy.  Jessica spent the past year as an intern for the Alliance for Biking and Walking in Washington DC.  Although her time is limited, her energy doesn't seem to be and we look forward to working with her.

Let's make the 2010 the year we "Bike and Walk to Break Gridlock"!

20 Jan - Good reading

A couple of new book have arrived at the Positive Spin Sustainable Transportion library and are available for viewing or checkout:
"How to Live Well Without Owning a Car" by Chris Balish
"Bicycle Design" by Mike Burroughs

These are in addition to some other titles that may interest you:
"Effective Cycling" by John Forrester
"Human Powered Homes"
"Pedaling Revolution"
"Bicycling and the Law"
"Traffic Skills 101/102" from the League of American Bicyclists

There are some childrens' books for the younger crowd:
"Sally Jean the Bicycle Queen"
"Mike and the Bike"
"Michael Recycle"
"Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race"

And we have various videos on bicycling, bike repair and bike safety.
Come in and check them out, and volunteer while you're here.
Nick

19 Jan - Update

There's too much new stuff going on to just talk about one topic.  So here's the rundown.
- This morning we helped out in a workshop at MTEC teach bike mechanic skills to students in Scheryll Richard's class.  Special thanks to Rob Voorhees, the local Cannondale rep who donated his time/tools/skills to organize and conduct the session.  From now on we'll be showing up regularly on Thursdays to cover a new subject and work with the students rehabbing bikes for the shop.  We are in need of donations of money, a workstand and wheel truing stand to equip the shop.  If you have any of these items sitting around unused please consider donating them.  Contact Positive Spin.
- Preparations are well underway for the Bike Skills classes to be taught at Apex, NC next month.  Last Friday I travelled to DC to assist with a class there that will be similar to the classes I'll give.  Special thanks to the Washington Area Bike Coallition for giving us this great experience.  We are now looking for volunteers to help with planning and organizing for the event.  If you can help out please contact the shop.
- We've received calls from our first "Community Service" volunteers of the semester.  In addition to working in the shop they'll be helping in the office - setting up our member database, email contact list and other tasks as needed.  Some of these students are doing the work for classes, others as atonement for various infractions - we're OK with that.  We'll make this the kind of punishment that keeps them coming back for more.

If you haven't been to the shop in a while, or you've never been, don't wait until you need a bike.  Come in for the tour and stay to help out.  If you want to come in outside posted hours just call and make an appointment.  And just as a reminder that we're about more than just bikes, check out this article showing the savings for riding a bus.

13 Jan - Alliance grant is complete, Next task....

I've just sent in the application for the Alliance's Advocacy Advance Grants.  This is the preliminary round, if we're selected at this stage then we'll have to turn in a final application in March.  Thanks to those of you who helped with this round.  However, the work isn't done yet.  We've just received applications from the city and county where money is available.  These deadlines are coming up quick, if you can help out with the applications please don't hesitate to call.

Today is another great day for riding while the temps are still below freezing.  By tomorrow it will warm up and the melting will leave a salty, mushy mess in its path but it will be the first time we've gotten above freezing in a few weeks.  Hope you're all enjoying it where ever you are.  This weekend I will be travelling to Washington DC to get a taste of what it's like to try and teach bike/pedestrian skills to unruly mobs of K-5 schoolkids.  This is in preparation for the classes we'll be teaching in Apex (Raleigh) NC next month.  This is another task I can use help with.  This would be a particularly good job for any physiology or phys. ed. students who want to see what a gym class setting will be like to deal with.  Again, if you can help please call the shop.

Just for fun, if you want to see some outrageous bowling check out this video. 

12 Jan - It's Grantwriting Season

It was a beautiful day for biking in the snow, well for some of us anyway.  For the rest of you, if you've got some time for sitting around and are looking for something really helpful and rewarding to do, how about helping us write grant applications for the following funding sources:

Morgantown Community Block Development Grants (Due Feb 8)Mon County Grants (Due Early March)
Alliance for Biking and Walking:  Advocacy Advance Grants (Final App due Mar 3)

We've applied for grants in the past, but so have lots of other people and we need your help to make a compelling case for why we're the best investment for these limited funds.  If you have time and, particularly if you have experience, please call the shop and find out what you can do.  Also, feel free to make comments on this post if you can suggest people or other resources that might be helpful.  Chances are that the changes you make possible will stay in the community for a long time to come - better health, safer streets, cleaner air and a nicer place to live, work and get around.

Thank you,
Nick

11 Jan - Pedestrian News

This past weekend I travelled to Charleston, WV to offer assistance to a group who are starting a community bike shop there in the Habitat for Humanity - Restore.  They have a great looking facility, even includes heat and decent lighting.  If anyone reading this list is in that area please consider volunteering to help them out.  I'll have contact details soon.  Otherwise lookup Zoe Beavers, the force behind the organization.

Tonite after returning the rental car I walked downtown on Willey St from the Mileground and started thinking about how much room has been left for improvement in this corridor.  There is NO sidewalk for most of the way, and the road is so narrow that you are left no choice but to stop traffic until you can get to a safe place to pull aside.  The sidewalks that there are haven't been shoveled (in violation of unenforced city ordinance) so it's still a sub-optimal experience at best.  Since the Pedestrian Safety Board meeting was planned for 4pm today I made that my destination.  The discussion at the meeting was mostly focused on the new pedestrian plan for Morgantown and how to present the $1/ft assessment as an investment that will end up raising housing values and saving costs that more than offset it.  I promised to supply a link to the PLAN and to the PETITION if support you can sign.  Next month the city council votes on putting it in the budget (Jan 26 at 7pm in the council chambers) - your presence at the meeting would help let the city know that this is a priority.  Find more information at our website link.

Jan 6 - Welcome to the New Year

Positive Spin re-opens its doors today after the holiday, we hope you'll be dug out of the snow and can come by to help out with the new projects we have going on for the Winter season and prepare for biking in the Spring.  There are lots of exciting new opportunities to increase biking/walking and reduce traffic congestion.  In the next few days we plan to have a newsletter out describing some of them, but don't wait.  If you want to help make big changes in Morgantown transportation call anytime.

Note:  Our regular shop cellphone has gone missing (I lost it).  Until it turns up you can contact the shop on my personal cellphone at 304-685-8954.

Dec 22 - Happy Holidays

Yesterday's Dominion Post had this editorial from a beleagered Morgantown pedestrian.  If you can relate, consider volunteering with us to help raise pedestrian awarenes.  If you drive, observe the posted speed limits and give all your attention to driving and watching out for others - even if they're not in a car.

With the Christmas Bikes behind us and the holiday break ahead, it's time to reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead.  I am in the process of drafting our 2010 event/milestone calendar (thanks to WVU student volunteer Harry Shaffer for putting it on the web).  If you have an event you'd like us to participate in please send me an email with information (date, time, description) and we'll add it to the list.
We are still looking for qualified and committed boardmember volunteers who are passionate about transforming Morgantown transportation in ways that make our city more liveable, sustainable and inclusive of all citizens.  Contact me if you share our passion and can contribute your time and resources.
I'll be on vacation and the shop will be closed from Dec 24 to Jan 6 (resuming normal Winter hours Jan 7), but I'll have the phone with me in case you need to reach me.  I'll be travelling (in a rented car) to see family in Wisconsin and plan to post updates as time permits.  I wish the best to you, your family and all your loved ones.  I look forward to working with you in the new year in positive and joyful ways that improve our city with the best and most sustainable mobility.
We've got a couple of great new volunteers joining us in the New Year.  Duncan, an experienced shop mechanic and mountain biker will be helping supervise shop hours.  Jessica, a WVU Masters' student in Public Administration will be helping us out.  She's particularly welcome after her previous experience as an intern at the Alliance for Biking and Walking.  We're grateful to them for sharing their passion for sustainable transportation and making Morgantown a better place to live and get around.

Dec 17 Christmas Bikes Distributed

Our 5th annual bike giveaway is now complete.  Due to your efforts we donated 70 bikes to Christian Help for the toy drive.  An additional 5 new bikes were dropped off by other donors for a total of 75.  At the end of the day we only had to bring back 15 of them, meaning that 60 were given away, about the same as last year.  However, most of the leftovers were in sizes we had too many of.  Next year we need more 24 and 26" mountain bikes. The surplus bikes (mostly 16 and 20") are available to other charity programs.  If you know a family that needs a bike for a small child please stop in.  We can help you out.

Thanks to volunteers from: WVU Tau Beta Pi, WVU Mortar Board, WVU Industrial Engineering students, Our regular volunteers, People who heard about what we're doing and just pitched in and anyone I may have missed.

Thanks also to Christian Help for getting us involved (our 5th year!) and particularly to Cheryl Stout whose divine efforts make it possible for families in need to have their needs met with joy and dignity.
Nick 

16 Dec - It's finally here. The Christian Help Toy Drive

Good evening,
We've just finished taking all our bikes to the armory for the Christian Help Toy Drive at the Morgantown Armory.  The total is somewhere around 75, although in the mayhem of transporting them I wasn't able to get a final count.  Tomorrow I will, I'll be up there early and staying through the day.  If anyone would like to come and help out with inspections, minor repairs and fittings give me a call at the shop number.  I'll have photos up tomorrow.  Thanks to all our incredible volunteers who made this the biggest and best bunch of bikes we've ever delivered.  Particular thanks to Duncan Oliver (and his very patient and helpful girlfriend), Will Ravenscroft, a slew of CCE volunteers too numerous to mention and to Pathfinder who gave us generous discounts on last-minute part purchases.  Thanks also to George Lasnier who picked up and transported bikes throughout the drive and to Bill Jones who helped tonite getting bikes to the armory. 
Nick

12 Dec - Copenhagen conference

Good evening,
On Saturday we were invited to a candle light vigil at the Courthouse to help campaign for a <350ppm treaty at the Copenhagen World Climate conference.  It only seemed sensible to us (myself and Duncan Oliver, our new shop mechanic) that we bike to the event and bring along our pedal generator to shine a (LED) spotlight on the event banner.  However, we made the news in today's Dominion Post.  You can read the article here.

When it was our turn to talk we also encouraged everyone to do their part for carbon dioxide reduction by driving less and using sustainable transportation (walking, biking, transit and carpool) to get where you need to go.  Thanks to all of you who are already doing this.  If you must drive, you can still make the roads more fun for others by driving at or below the speed limit and paying attention to others who are sharing the road.  Even if they aren't in cars.

Dec 9 More Christmas Bike