Bikes Not Bombs Update

Register for the 2013 Bike-A-Thon and set-up your fundraising page

Photo By: Wayne Chinnock

There is still plenty of time to register for the Bike-A-Thonon June 2nd! With about three weeks to go, the individual fundraising goal of $150 is easily attainable, especially with our online fundraising system.

All riders who reach the $150 minimum will receive a free BNB t-shirt. And, if you raise $500, $1,000 or $2,000, you’ll get a gift certificate to the Bikes Not Bombs Bike Shop. We also have a special prize for the top individual fundraiser!

Tips for a successful fundraising page:

• Write some text on your page that is about you personally so that people will feel connected to your ride.
• Enable the thermometer and honor roll.
• Add a picture of yourself.

The Bike-A-Thon is our largest event of the year and it’s tons of fun! We will have free breakfast in the morning, snacks at the rest stops, and free lunch at the finish line from Amir’s Natural Foods, Vanguarden Farm and Boloco. Plus, the After Party will be hopping with music, yoga, and face painting for the kids! Don’t hesitate – register now!

If you have more questions, please contact our Information Technology Manager, Sean Madsen, at617-522-0222 x111 or [email protected].

Photo By: Wayne Chinnock

Like all BNB programs, the Bike-A-Thon wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers.

We need volunteers on June 2nd to help with rider check-in, to assist with rider communication, and to help staff the BNB info table.

If you’re interested and available, you can sign up online. A BNB staff member will be in touch with you soon after about specifics.

Have a tent like this? Consider loaning it to BNB for the Bike-A-Thon! Photo by: Gloria Carrigg

Can we borrow your water dispensers, coolers, folding tables, or pop-up tents?

For our Bike-A-Thon on June 2nd, we will need more folding tables, pop-up tents, water dispensers, and coolers! Do you have access to these? Would you be willing lend them to us, or donate them?

Folding Tables: ideally, 6 or 8 feet long thick plastic tables with fold-out legs. Other varieties/sizes may be useful too.

Pop-Up Tents: must be free-standing, should be at least 10 feet square, heavy-duty preferred.

Water dispensers and coolers: let us know what you have.

It would be super helpful if you are able to lend or donate supplies to us! Contact Arik Grier at[email protected] or 617-522-0222 x100.

Come eat ice cream in support of the BNB Youth BAT Team!

For the second year in a row, the BNB Youth Bike-A-Thon team will be holding a water-gun squirting, ice cream scooping fundraiser! On Friday May 24th, starting at 4PM, swing by the Stony Brook T stop, for a scoop of JP Licks, and a chance to soak some folks with water guns! Every dollar collected will go towards Team Swerve’s goal of $4,000!

If you can’t make it, but still want to support the BNB Youth Team, you can sponsor them online.

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Bikes Not Bombs Mega Roundup

Bike-A-Thon Registration is Now Open!

Join Team Shark and more than 400 other riders at the 2013 Bike-A-Thon photo by: Wayne Chinnock

Register now for Bikes Not Bombs’ biggest and most exciting event of the year! Our 26th annual Bike-A-Thon will be Sunday, June 2nd, 2013. (Rain date would be Sunday, June 23rd.) Join hundreds of riders for an amazing day of cycling and fun while raising critical funds to support Bikes Not Bombs work in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and right here in Boston. Each year we have riders of all ages and skill-levels and every rider makes a difference! We’ll have four scenic routes to choose from: 15 miles, 25 miles, 40 miles, and 65 miles.

Sign up today to take advantage of our early registration special! We’re offering half price early registration. During the month of March, it’s only $10 for adults and $5 for youth!

Also, you can RSVP to the Bike-A-Thon Facebook event, share it on your wall, and invite your friends to join in the fun!

Register to ride! or read more online.

Calling all volunteers! Don’t forget that BNB’s annual volunteer appreciation party is TONIGHT! We’ll be saluting YOU our volunteers for all of your hard work over the last year with an evening of food, music, and fun. The festivities are going down at BNB’s Hub location (284 Amory Street), and we’ll provide food (though edible contributions are certainly welcome).

Not sure if you’re invited? We welcome everyone who, over the last year, has come to a volunteer night or container loading, has been an office volunteer, served on the international committee or Board of Directors, helped out at or organized a bike drive, rode or volunteered at the Bike-A-Thon, helped as an instructor in our youth programs, or volunteered your time for BNB in another way.

Note this also means that our regular Thursday Volunteer Night will be canceled. We will resume these volunteer nights on March 14th.

Youth teach adults in BNB’s innovative Adult Instructor Training program.

Adult Instructor Training (AIT) is a 30-hour course, taught by BNB Youth Employees, that provides the foundation in basic bike mechanics, teaching methods, role modeling, leadership, and age and gender sensitivity that you need to successfully volunteer in BNB Youth Programs. In exchange for this free program, Adult Instructors are REQUIRED to volunteer a minimum of one program day per week from 3pm-7pm in at least one session of Earn-A-Bike or Girls In Action.

AIT runs March 11 – March 22, Monday – Wednesday, and Fridays 6-9PM. Adults of all identities are encouraged to apply. Spanish skills are helpful but not required. No bicycle mechanics experience necessary.

For more information please contact Ashley Leary at [email protected] or 617-522-0222 x107.

• Spring Earn-A-Bike: March 25 – May 1, (M-Th, 3:30 – 6:30pm)
• Spring Girls In Action: May 13 – June 14, (M-Th, 3:30 – 6:30pm)
• Summer Earn-A-Bike Session I – July 10 – July 26 (M-F, 2-6pm)
• Summer Earn-A-Bike Session II – July 31 – August 16 (M-F, 2-6pm)

Will Gifford and Darnell Edwards Work on a Bike during Earn-A-Bike Photo By: Wayne Chinnock

Bikes Not Bombs is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2013 sessions of the Earn-A-Bike and Girls in Action programs. Applications for Summer Earn-A-Bike and Fall Girls In Action are also available for download on our website.

In these programs, participants choose a bike and learn the skills to not only build it up, but maintain it as well. At the end of the program, once the bike is built, it is yours to keep! Additionally, we go on bike adventures to explore some of the fascinating places Boston has to offer, and look into various environmental and social justice issues.

There are a limited number of spots available. Applicants are chosen based on application date, and the applicant’s availability and willingness to commit. To qualify for enrollment, BOTH the application (filled out) and payment (cash, check or money order) need to be submitted. If you (student) are not accepted for whatever reason, you will be notified and your program fee will be returned. Fee waivers are available.

If you have any questions please contact Ashley Leary at 617-522-0222 x101 or email [email protected].

Applications are available online. Mail or deliver the application & fee to: Bikes Not Bombs, 284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Come visit the BNB Hub, check out photos and videos of our programs, get your bike checked out by BNB Youth Employees and sign up for the Bike-A-Thon! All this, and more, at BNB’s Spring Open House, Saturday April 6th, 1 – 4PM.

If you’ve ever wanted to see BNB from the inside, ask questions of our staff, check out our bike machines up close, or learn about our array of volunteer opportunities, this is the event for you.

There’ll be snacks, interactive activities, a special celebration of our out-going Director of Youth Programs, Elijah Evans, and a big welcome to new Co-Directors, Ashley Leary and Jeremy Hanson.

RSVP on Facebook or email [email protected] for more information

This is just a friendly reminder to anyone who still has an outstanding pledge from Bikes Not Bombs’ annual Phone-A-Thon, which took place in November and December of 2012. You can donate online or mail a check to 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

BNB is sustained by our network of individual supporters, and we appreciate every donation. So if you made a pledge, but have yet to fulfill it, please consider doing so. If you’d like to check with us on the status of your pledge, feel free to call Sarah at 617-522-0222 x104 or email her at [email protected]. Thank you!

BNB Volunteers Flatten and Load Bikes and Parts for Shipment Photo By: Stacey Rupolo

BiciTec, a new bicimáquina enterprise in Tecpán, Guatemala, creates bicycle technology that contributes toward the sustainability, self-reliance and economic development of rural communities in Guatemala. BiciTec designs, fabricates and distributes bicimáquinas – human-powered machines that use bicycles and pedal-power to drive mechanical implements that are efficient, appropriate and revolutionary in an age of excessive pollution and over-powered solutions. These machines form “the middle ground between the artisanal and the industrial,” says Carlos Marroquin, BiciTec founder.

Bicimáquinas, such as corn de-grainers, corn grinders, water pumps, coffee depulpers, macadamia nut shellers, aloe shampoo blenders among others, help people in rural areas of Guatemala increase their productivity in a way that is both economically and environmentally cost effective.

Help BNB load bikes to BiciTec! – Visit our website for more information

TIME: Sunday April 7th from 10am to 5pm. Drop in for an hour or help out all day!
PLACE: Bikes Not Bombs’ warehouse at 10 Harvard Street in Dorchester
DETAILS: Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Equal Exchange coffee is generously donated by City Feed & Supply! RSVP Online!

Dear Friends, supporters, and community members,

I am writing to let you all know that I will be leaving my position as Director of Youth Programs. I have accepted the position of Workforce Development Specialist at Commonwealth Corporation. My role will be to help transition court-involved youth into sustainable employment across the state of Massachusetts.

I am excited to test the skills and knowledge that I have acquired during my time at BNB, and thrilled to see new leadership develop among our youth staff who have worked so hard to run our programs over the years.

Shoutout to all of the staff members! Continue to work hard and stay true to the values and mission of BNB. To the youth, I surely will miss you all the most. Please continue to do great work and make me proud. I have learned so much from you all and will always cherish our experiences.

Bikes Not Bombs will forever be a special place for me. I have met so many special people that have been such a huge part of my life. Thank you all for your love throughout, what has been, for me, a life-changing experience.

With gratitude,

Elijah Evans

The Bikes Not Bombs community thanks Elijah for ten years of dedication and passion for our work. Elijah transformed our Youth Programs and has made a tremendous impact on young people and adults alike. While it is hard to imagine BNB without Elijah, it is a testament to his accomplishments that we have young people ready and willing to take on leadership roles. Bikes Not Bombs Youth Programs will not be without a Director for long, as we are thrilled to announce that Ashley Leary and Jeremy Hanson will be stepping into roles as Co-Directors. We also look forward to celebrating Elijah at our Spring Open House on April 6th. (details above)

Bikes Not Bombs is nominated for Best Bike Shop and Best Local Non-Profit in the Phoenix Best of Boston Awards! Please take a moment to vote for us!

We are thrilled to announce that Erica Rotman has joined us as our new Director of Fundraising & Events! She comes to BNB after spending the last 5 years in various program coordination and development positions in the anti-violence field. Previously, she has worked at the Center Against Domestic Violence in Brooklyn and served on the Board of Directors at Students Active for Ending Rape. Erica’s primary responsibilities at BNB will be managing events, individual fundraising, and BNB’s major donor program. In her spare time, Erica rock climbs, brags about her hometown Montreal, and strategizes about how to beat her friends at their next board game match. Erica began her new role at BNB on February 25th, and can be reached at 617-522-0222 x106 and [email protected].

New Fenders at the Shop

It’s certainly turned into a longer winter than hoped for, but despite the cold and snow, things are picking up at the BNB Shop!

Starting Monday March 4th we’ll be open new extended Spring hours: Monday 11am-7pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-8pm; Friday 11am-7pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; and Sunday 12pm to 5pm. In addition to having two more days when we open early and close late, our new schedule gives our repair customers 3 days where they have the option to make an appointment to drop off their bike before work and pick it up on their way home.

Our Winter Raffle is just finishing up and we’ll be contacting the winners soon. Everyone who took advantage of our Winter Overhaul Special was automatically entered. Keep this in mind for next year as not only is it a $30 savings on getting your bike running like new but for the past two years the prizes have been around $50-$70 in value.

The current state of the roads (slushy, salty and gross) has had us all thinking about fender options recently. A product we just brought in is the SKS Longboard fenders. These come with increased coverage of the wheel along its circumference and integral mudflaps. The front mudflap specifically keeps your feet a lot drier. Similar to the Chromoplastics they come with a breakaway front clip that can help prevent serious accidents from the front wheel locking up when something gets stuck in the fender. We’re stocking them in the 45mm width, Silver and Black. Come check them out!

We’re sad to say goodbye this past month to Vocational Education graduate and long-time shop employee Isabella but glad to welcome our new employees Sarah and Richard.

Abdullahi (Abdul) Hussein is the February 2013 Youth Employee of the Month. Born in Kenya to Somalian parents, Abdul came to Bikes Not Bombs in 2010 to take Earn-A-Bike. After displaying motivation and a strong work ethic in Earn-A-Bike, Abdul joined the Pathways program to be an Instructor running Earn-A-Bike and Girls In Action. Since then, he has become a respected leader among his peers and has sought out many opportunities to develop new skills – including helping to launch the Chain Reaction mobile, youth-run bike shop last spring. Most recently, he played a key role in planning the February trip to the Youth Bike Summit in New York City, where he helped lead a workshop. He takes initiative, works independently and with his peers to achieve goals, is focused and has an energy that is both positive and highly infectious. Always quick with a joke to break the ice, Abdul balances his personal focus on success for himself and Bikes Not Bombs with a lighter side that builds the youth programs team culture and cohesiveness. A veteran leader with a wealth of experience at BNB and with our coalition partners, we are honored to call Abdul a member of the BNB family and our February Youth Employee of the Month. Congratulations to Abdul!

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Bikes Not Bombs Mega Update

Spring 2013 Youth Programs Enrollment is Open

• Spring 2013 Earn-A-Bike: March 25 – May 1, 2013 (M-Th, 3:30 – 6:30p)
• Spring 2013 Girls In Action: May 13 – June 14, 2013 (M-Th, 3:30 – 6:30p)

Bikes Not Bombs is currently enrolling applicants for the Spring 2013 sessions of the Earn-A-Bike andGirls in Action programs. Earn-A-Bike is a co-ed program and Girls In Action is for girls only.

Both sessions are Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30pm – 6:30pm. In the program you’ll choose a bike in the beginning and learn the skills to not only build it up, but maintain it as well. At the end of the program, once the bike is built, it is yours to take home! Additionally, we go on bike adventures to explore some of the fascinating places Boston has to offer, and look into various environmental and social justice issues.

There are a limited number of spots available. Applicants are chosen based on application date, and the applicant’s availability and willingness to commit. To qualify for enrollment, BOTH the application (filled out) and payment (cash, check or money order) need to be submitted. If you (student) are not accepted for whatever reason, you will be notified and your program fee will be returned. Fee waivers are available.

If you have any questions please contact Elijah Evans, Director of Youth Programs, at 617-522-0222 x101 or email [email protected]

Applications are available online. Mail or deliver the application & fee to: Bikes Not Bombs, 284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Manolo Sandoval Stephane and Fatima teaching a lesson during AIT

Adult Instructor Training (AIT) is a 30-hour course, taught by BNB Youth Employees, that provides the foundation in basic bike mechanics, teaching methods, role modeling and leadership, and age and gender sensitivity that you need to successfully volunteer in BNB Youth Programs. In exchange for this free program, Adult Instructors are REQUIRED to volunteer a minimum of one program day per week from 3pm-7pm in at least one session of Earn-A-Bike or Girls In Action.

AIT runs March 11 – March 22, Monday – Wednesday, and Fridays 6-9PM

Adults of all identities are encouraged to apply. Spanish skills are helpful but not required. No bicycle mechanics experience necessary. For more information please contact Elijah Evans at [email protected] or 617-522-0222 x101

Phone Outreach Coordinator for our Bike-A-Thon – Here’s a fun job part-time job for 12 hours per week this spring: help recruit riders for our Bike-A-Thon. Call up people who’ve ridden before and ask them to do it again this year! Easy. It also pays $12 per hour! You’ll get a chance to talk with lots of our supporters, as work with volunteers who will help out with the calling too. And for Bike-A-Thon day you’ll organize our rider welcome area to celebrate the riders as they cross the finish line. This event is super fun, and this job is a great way to plug in! Read more online

Hiring cycling Route Coordinator for our Bike-A-Thon ride! – An exciting job this spring for 20-25 hours per week and $18 per hour! Help plan and coordinate the cycling-related aspects of our Bike-A-Thonevent — route maps, route marking, rest stops, volunteer ride marshals, spare parts, tools, and first aid. This job is perfect for someone who has experience with biking and event planning. The work is from March through June and applications are due by February 10th. Read more online

Save The Date! Bike-A-Thon Registration Opens March 1st, and the event will take place on June 2nd!

BNB staff singing their annual ode to volunteers

Every year we gather together for a night of food and fun to appreciate all of the hard work that our amazing volunteer community has put into making Bikes Not Bombs’ programming happen, and YOU’RE invited! Come on out to meet and spend time with other volunteers and BNB staff and community members, enjoy snacks, and celebrate our work.

Who: All BNB volunteers! If you’re not sure if that’s you, ask Jeremy ([email protected])

When: Thursday March 7th, 7 – 9 pm RSVP on Facebook

Where: BNB Hub, 284 Amory Street

Come check out our amazing youth programs!

As we kick off a new year of youth programs at Bikes Not Bombs, we want to take an opportunity to open our doors to any and everyone who is interested in getting involved. The BNB Youth Programs Open House is a chance for parents, friends, teachers and interested youth to learn about our programming in-depth and see if it is a good fit for you or someone you know.

Please bring a snack to share if you want, and prepare to be amazed! Contact Elijah Evans at[email protected] or RSVP on Facebook

Upcoming dates: February 13th and February 27th. Tool Time is a time for BNB youth programs graduates, members, and volunteers to come through and use our Hub mechanics space and tools to work on your own bike. To attend a session, please rsvp to Jeremy ([email protected]; 617-522-0222 x109) with at least 24 hours notice so we can make sure we have enough space.

See more info and upcoming Tool Time dates online.

BNB Summer 2012 Youth Employees Kafe Williams-Kalez and Evan Hanlon Demonstrate Earn-A-Bike Teaching Techniques

The Boston Youth Fund provides thousands of Boston teens between the ages of 15 and 17 with job opportunities during the summer months. The Boston Youth Fund participants work in a variety of jobs within community, faith-based, and government agencies, including Bikes Not Bombs. To Be Eligible for the BYF Summer Employment Program, You: MUST Turn 15 Years Old – On or Before July 7, 2013, CANNOT Turn 18 Years Old – On or Before August 16, 2013, MUST be a Full-Time Resident of the City of Boston, MUST be Legally Permitted to Work in Massachusetts & The United States. Visit the Boston Youth Fundonline to enroll.

The Boston Phoenix is collecting nominations for its annual Best of Boston Awards. It only takes a minute to vote! Visit their online ballot and write in ‘Bikes Not Bombs’ for Best Bike Shop and Best Local Non-profit!

BNB is thrilled to announce that Ashley Leary has joined Hub Staff as the Chain Reaction Coordinator. Ashley joined BNB in 2008 as a participant of the first all girls EAB and soon became a instructor in the program. She completed our Vocational Education program and soon after joined the staff at the Bike Shop. Ashley joined BNB’s Board of Directors in the summer of 2010, a role she held until joining staff. Ashley will coordinate all aspects of Chain Reaction, BNB’s after-school, mobile, youth-run bike shop, which will be located at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury, from April through June. She is also studying sociology at Northeastern University and in her spare time she is usually shooting hoops or listening to music.

The Bike-A-Thon is a great opportunity for local businesses to get some awesome publicity. For as little as $25, or as much as $2,500, you can become a Bike-A-Thon sponsor. Your name will be listed on outreach materials, and the BNB website and, for larger sponsors, the back of the 2013 Bike-A-Thon t-shirt. For info about the different levels please contact Sarah Braker at 617-522-0222 x104 or[email protected].

The Bianchi Camaleonte, now available at the BNB Bike Shop

The Bikes Not Bombs Bike Shop has been busy refurbishing bikes for the Spring. Although not always the best weather for a test ride, Winter is a great time to stop by and check out what we have for bikes. Every week there are about 20 new bikes to come see. We also have our first new bike model of the year! The Bianchi Camaleonte (Italian for Chameleon) is a versatile and adaptable flat bar road bike. It’s well suited as a fast commuter with disc brakes, all the mounts for racks and fenders, comfortable 32mm tires and a wide range of gears. But it would also function well as a purely recreational bike for spirited weekend rides. We currently have a few sizes built up for test rides. Come down and check them out!

Although the cold and snow will give every reasonable cyclist doubts about when and how often (and in what weather) they venture out, we do stock many accessories that can make mild and extreme winter riding a possibility. If you have any questions about increasing visibility, keeping your hands warm, better fender coverage, tires that can handle icy roads, or even what to use to get all the road salt off your bike, feel free to stop by.

Does your municipality conduct a multiple-item collection event in the spring and/ or fall? Bikes Not Bombs participates in events in Andover, Acton, Arlington, Ayer, Billerica, Concord, North Reading, Mansfield, Medfield, Melrose, Northampton, Tewksbury, and Wrentham, collecting hundreds of useful bikes. If your town (or an organization within your town) conducts one of these events, and it is not on the list above, we want to know about it. If you have contact information for an organizer, that’s great, but if you do not, even knowledge that an event exists is useful to us. Email[email protected].

Keemo White is the January 2013 Youth Employee of the Month. Originally from Jamaica, Keemo came to Bikes Not Bombs in 2012 with one thing in mind, fixing bikes! Since then, he has become a respected leader among his peers and has sought out many opportunities to develop new skills. He takes initiative, works independently and with his peers to achieve goals, is focused and has a calm leadership style that people have responded well to and respect. Keemo is also fun to be around, and he motivates his peers to be successful. While he has a steadfast belief in his own ideas and opinions, he is always willing to adhere to the group process. Keemo has also increased his participation in the Youth Jobs Coalition by playing a role in setting goals for the coalition, helping with campaign strategy, and mapping and strategizing ways for the groups to reach those goals. Congratulations to Keemo!

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Bikes Not Bombs Is Hiring

Got this in the email today.  BNB is a great organization, if you think you have the skills you should apply!

———–

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Bikes Not Bombs December Update

via email

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Give the Gift of Bikes Not Bombs Donating to Bikes Not Bombs in honor of someone you love is a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays and show your support for Bikes Not Bombs!  With every gift, you will receive an email receipt including a link to a holiday card for you to download, print, and mail to your recipient, as well as a holiday card for you to send by email if you wish. Give a gift BNB membership by making a donation of of $35 or more ($50 or more for a family membership) and your recipient will receive discounts at local bike shops and the opportunity to come to Tool Time at the Hub, where they can use BNB’s tools and stands to work on their bike. Click here to make donation to BNB as a holiday gift.

BNB depends on our network of donors to help us ship and refurbish bikes, create meaningful partnerships with international communities, and work to give young people a pathway to success.

If you have already made a donation during the Phone-A-Thon or replied to our recent mailing, we would like to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation for your support. If you have not already made a gift this season, please consider making one online today or mail a check to us at 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

Collecting money from riders on Bike-A-Thon morning. Organizing this event is an important part of the Director of Fundraising & Events’ role. And riders, save the date for Bike-A-Thon 2013 on June 2nd! Photo by: Wayne Chinnock

Bikes Not Bombs seeks to hire a dynamic, creative, and highly organized professional to manage the organization’s fundraising efforts, major donor strategies, oversee events, and serve as an enthusiastic ambassador of BNB’s mission. Strong relationship cultivation and management of donors and volunteers is key to success in this role. The position requires both an ability to think strategically about the “big picture” and execute plans with strong attention to detail. The Director of Fundraising & Events will work on a team including the Communications Manager, Information and Technology Manager and Development Associate and reports to the Executive Director. If you are interested, check out the job description here. Cover letter and resumes are due December 24th.

December 1st 2012, Bikes Not Bombs loaded our 50,000th bike for international shipment. An outstanding crew of volunteers attended to help load the shipment which is headed to our partner, Ability Bikes Cooperative, in Ghana. Amidst excitement and celebration, Bikes Not Bombs’ founder Carl Kurz loaded the 50,000th bike, and spoke about the beginnings of Bikes Not Bombs and its steady growth over the past 28 years. Carl stated that Bikes Not Bombs not only celebrates the 50,000th bike, but all the work, volunteerism and leadership that brought the organization to this point and that drives us toward new milestones. Bikes Not Bombs’ practical and concrete work with the bicycle is continuing to further peace and justice in the world today, in which our name and mission are ever relevant.

For those of you who don’t have a chance to see our Youth Programs in action, here are some of the highlights from 2012:

• BNB graduated more than 100 young people from our Earn-A-Bike and Girls In Action programs.
• We employed more than 40 graduates of our Youth Programs as instructors, five of whom are also now enrolled in our Vocational Education Program, which starts this month.
• Thanks to the hard work of Kenny Simms, BNB saw its Alumni Services Program grow in unprecedented ways. From the annual Halloween Scavenger Hunt, to new events like trips to Sky Zone and Pumpkin Carving, BNB now offers an array of programs to keep young people engaged even after they have graduated from a program here.
• In March of 2012, five BNB Youth Employees helped launch Chain Reaction, a youth-run, mobile bike shop. Through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, Chain Reaction sold affordable bikes, and offered repairs, to cyclists in neighborhoods without bike shops. The program is set to re-launch in April, 2013 at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury.
• Over the summer, BNB ran two additional programs. STRIVE, an Earn-A-Bike program in partnership with Boston Public Schools, and On My Way, On My Bike, an introductory cycling program. The latter took place at Camp Harbor View, and BNB Youth Employees taught 43 campers how to ride bikes, while working with a total of 400 young people.

These are just some of the highlights of these dynamic programs. If you’d like more information on BNB’s Youth Programs, or would like to get involved, please email Elijah Evans, Director of Youth Programs, at [email protected]

Our Winter Overhaul special is off to a great start! If you’re interested in getting your bike riding like new for spring or if you’re interested in giving your bike a complete makeover (new seat, handlebars, wheels or more) stop by and we can go over your options with you.

Thursday December 13th from 8-9pm we’ll be offering a free clinic on Bike Commuting through the winter in Boston. The clinic will cover bike accessories to consider, different clothing options, and winter specific maintenance issues. Clinics start promptly at 8pm and may be cancelled due to low attendance–please show up on time.

One of our favorite new products this fall has been the Serfas USB Light Combo. It’s bright, USB rechargeable (so you’re not putting batteries in the landfill) and most importantly-at $40-very affordable. The mount is also integrated into the light so it’s easy to switch between bikes.

We also have many items here at the shop that can make great gifts for any cyclist or non-cyclist on your list. If you’re not local (or your gift recipient isn’t) we can send Bikes Not Bombs T-shirts, Jerseys and Gift Certificates domestically and internationally. Gift Certificates can be done in any amount and can be picked up at the shop. They’re a great option if you’re not sure of the specific model, size or even product that would be the best fit. Stop by to check out bells, lights, cycling caps and reflective gear starting at around $10. We can also special order items usually within a couple days (but make sure to check early if you need it for the holidays).

Please note that we will be closed December 24th through January 3rd reopening to normal winter hours on January 4th. Happy holidays and stay warm and safe.

If you have skills, we have building projects!

We need a crew of carpenters and assistants to make some structural changes in the Bikes Not Bombs office and workspace storage areas. If you have skills in carpentry, sheetrock, or painting, and could contribute some time in January or February, get in touch! There are a number of projects so you can take on something larger or smaller, and potentially work in a team with others. We can also potentially use building material donations of plywood, wood suitable for desktops and shelves, sheetrock tape and joint compound, caulk, 4×4 posts, 2x4s, 6s, or 10s, a heavy door with a window in it, and other supplies. Contact Arik at [email protected] or 617-522-0222 x100.

Is your office getting rid of chairs? Bikes Not Bombs might want them! The Bikes Not Bombs Hub is in need of some new chairs for our staff and volunteers. If your office is redecorating or ordering new chairs anytime soon, let us know what you have and we can see if it is a fit for BNB. Rolling chairs, stacking chairs, or folding metal chairs might all be useful. Contact Kwame Bidi at [email protected] for more information.

Jesus Soto is BNB’s Youth Employee of the Month. Since graduating from Earn-A-Bike last month, Jesus has made a seamless transition to the Youth Employment Program. His positive attitude, never-fading smile, and willingness to do anything are just some of his awesome qualities. He also attended BNB’s Strategic Planning retreat, made calls for the Phone-A-Thon, and is enrolled in Vocational Education. His commitment to BNB is clear, and he’s only been working a few weeks. Congrats to Jesus!

The next Tool Time will be December 13th. See more information and future dates online

Tool Time is a time for BNB youth programs graduates, members, and volunteers to come through and use our Hub mechanics space for working on your own bike. To attend a session, please rsvp to Arik ([email protected]; 617-522-0222 x100) with at least 24 hours notice so we can make sure we have enough space.

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Bikes Not Bombs Is Awesome!

Bikes Not Bombs from sarah gay on Vimeo.

A video by Sarah Gay

A promotional film I made for Bikes Not Bombs, a Boston, MA based non-profit organization dedicated to using the bicycle as a vehicle to create social change.

Each year, Bikes Not Bombs takes in 6,000 donated bicycles, and re-uses them in
local and global programs that provide skill development, jobs, and
sustainable transportation. Bikes Not Bombs was founded 28 years ago,
and since then, have shipped near 50,000 bicycles to projects in 14
countries, and over 3,000 teenagers have graduated from their bike
mechanics and cycling programs in the Greater Boston area. To find out
more about their work, how to donate a bike, become a volunteer, or make
a financial contribution, visit bikesnotbombs.org.

Shot with a Canon T3i

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BNB Mega Update

From the email

——————————-

36-hour Giving Common Challenge going on now! Help Bikes Not Bombs win $25,000!

Bikes Not Bombs is excited to announce that we are participating in a 36-hour challenge, from 8am today until 8pm tomorrow, hosted by the Giving Common, a new initiative of the Boston Foundation. To celebrate the launch of the Giving Common website, they are giving out over $150,000 in prizes to Massachusetts-based nonprofit organizations!

Bikes Not Bombs is fortunate to have such a large network of grassroots supporters. With your help, we have a real shot at winning the grand prize for the most unique donations during the 36-hour period – $25,000!. Second place gets $12,000 and third place gets $10,000. BNB is a small organization that is making a big difference every day. To us, $25,000 would be transformational!

Now is the time to show your support for Bikes Not Bombs and make a gift! Each gift must be $25 or more and each person can only donate to BNB one time. All donations must be made online through BNB’s page on the Giving Common website by 5pm tomorrow!

Make your gift, spread the word on facebook and twitter, and check the leaderboard throughout the event to see how BNB is doing! Here is the link to Bikes Not Bombs’ direct page – please share it far and wide!

If you have any questions about the Giving Common Challenge, please contact Allie Hunter, Director of Fundraising & Events, at 617-522-0222 x106 or [email protected]. Thank you!!

On Sunday October 14th, Bikes Not Bombs will load a 40′ shipping container of bikes and bike parts to CESTA in El Salvador. We need volunteer help to make it happen.

CESTA (El Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology) is an environmental advocacy organization that focuses on issues of environmental justice, sustainable transportation, appropriate technology and campaigns to stop climate change. CESTA runs a bicycle mechanics training center for young people, runs various Eco-Centers demonstrating and training people in the use of sustainable and appropriate technology, organizes a movement of Victims of Climate Change and contributes a critical voice to the international discourse on the social and environmental impacts of global warming. CESTA is the El Salvadoran branch of the international organization Friends of the Earth.

Bikes Not Bombs began supporting CESTA’s work in 2000, and our most recent shipment to this partner was sent one year ago. Help BNB load bikes to support the work of CESTA!
TIME: Sunday October 14th from 10am to 5pm. Drop in for an hour or stay all day!
PLACE: The BNB warehouse at 10 Harvard Street in Dorchester
DETAILS: Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Equal Exchange coffee is generously donated by City Feed & Supply!

Please RSVP to attend this container loading.

October 15 – November 15, 2012

Bikes Not Bombs is currently enrolling applicants for the our second Fall 2012 session of the Earn-A-Bike Program. In this program you’ll choose a bike in the beginning and learn the skills to not only build it up, but maintain it as well. At the end of the program, once the bike is built, it is yours to take home! Additionally, we go on bike adventures to explore some of the fascinating places Boston has to offer, and look into various environmental awareness topics.

Applications are available online. There are a limited number of spots available. Applicants are chosen based on application date, and the applicant’s availability and willingness to commit. To qualify for enrollment, BOTH the application (filled out) and payment (cash, check, money order, or fee waiver) need to be submitted. If you are not accepted into the program for any reason, you will be notified and your program fee will be returned.

If you have any questions please contact Elijah Evans, Director of Youth Programs, at 617-522-0222 x101 or email [email protected]

Also, graduates from the first fall EAB session will be showing off their new bikes at a graduation celebration featuring a “bike fashion show” on October 11 at 6:00 pm at the BNB Hub. Please join us to learn more about the program and meet our youth instructors!

Our Fall clearance sale is still in full swing. We have select new Bianchi, Surly and Linus bikes marked down 20%. This makes the Linus Roadster Classic currently one of our most affordable new bikes priced at $400, a deal for a stylish, upright city single speed!

We have many new models of bikes in stock. Come check out the Linus Dutchi 3 – a very upright and elegant bike based off of classic Dutch bikes. We’re currently stocking two sizes: a 43cm with 26″ wheels as well as a 45cm with 700c wheels. We also now have the Roadster 8 and Mixte 8. These are our first 8-speed internal gear city bikes, and they are similar to the 3 speed versions but are much more versatile with the extra gearing. We currently have two sizes of the Roadster and one size of the Mixte in stock to test ride.

From Bianchi we now also have our first Women’s-specific road bike, the Via Nirone 7 Dama Sora in classic Bianchi Celeste. This bike comes in 44, 46, 50 and 53 cm frames so we have a lot of options for both small and medium sized folks. We also have the 2013 Bianchi Volpe’s in stock. This year some of the components have been upgraded and the color changed to a nice subtle slate blue.

Lights! We’ve seen a huge improvement in low cost USB lights. Without batteries you can keep your lights at full brightness easier (since you can charge them as frequently as needed), save money on batteries, and they can also be smaller and brighter. Currently we have individual front and rear USB lights in the $20 range as well as a $40 front and rear set. We also have some brighter options to consider and of course still have a good selection of battery powered lights.

Still open 7 days a week and most repairs able to be scheduled for the next day!

Dear friends, supporters, and community members,

I am writing to announce that I will be leaving my position as the Director of Fundraising & Events at Bikes Not Bombs.

I have recently accepted a position at Hyde Square Task Force, managing their communications and individual giving programs. I look forward to this new opportunity for personal and professional growth, but I will greatly miss working at Bikes Not Bombs.

For the past two and a half years, I have very much enjoyed being a part of the BNB team, working alongside our wonderful staff, volunteers, young people, partners, and supporters. I feel lucky to have had the chance to get to know so many of you and I sincerely appreciate your contributions to BNB. Each of you is part of what makes Bikes Not Bombs so special.

I know that Bikes Not Bombs will continue to do amazing work and I am excited to stay involved as a volunteer.

I will remain on the BNB staff until the end of October and you can contact me at [email protected] and 617-522-0222 x106 until that time. Afterwards, please contact Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, our Executive Director, at [email protected] or 617-522-0222 x105 with any questions related to fundraising or events.

Again, I’d like to extend my deepest thanks for supporting Bikes Not Bombs’ work. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.

With gratitude,

The Bikes Not Bombs community thanks Allie for all of dedication to and passion for our work. With her leadership and your help, BNB has raised more resources from our Phone-A-Thon, Direct Mail and Bike-A-Thon over the last 2 1/2 years than ever before. While she will be missed, the systems she has put in place to support donors will be her legacy to BNB. We will begin a hiring process next month. If you have experience leading individual giving programs and are interested in the position, email [email protected]to receive the job description when it is ready.

Do you love Bikes Not Bombs and want to help raise money to support BNB’s work in Boston and overseas? Then we want you to volunteer for Phone-A-Thon!

We need about 30 amazing volunteers to call BNB donors to inform them of the great things going on at BNB and ask them to make a year-end donation. We’re hoping to raise $35,000 this year and we need your help to get there! Every caller makes a difference!

We have 10 calling sessions scheduled between November 20th and December 22nd. Volunteers can sign up for one or more sessions. All sessions will be held at the Brewery Complex in Jamaica Plain, either at the BNB Hub or at the Institute for Policy Studies, Building L. Snacks will be provided and you’ll earn volunteer credits for your time.

Fill out a brief online form to sign up to volunteer!

If you have any questions, please contact Kenny Simms or Jodi Sugerman-Brozan at 617-522-0222. Thank you!!

A bike drive is an event, often organized by a volunteer, to collect bicycles for Bikes Not Bombs. Large drives will sometime bring in over 200 bikes! These drives help us extend our network of bike collection beyond our two locations in Jamaica Plain. If you have a bike to donate, you can always bring it to Jamaica Plain, but if you live further away, then hopefully you’ll be able to find a bike drive that is closer.

Some upcoming drives:
Westford, MA on Sat, Oct 13th
Concord, MA on Sat, Oct 13th
Shirley, MA on Sat, Oct 20th
Arlington, MA on Sat, Nov 17th

Full info on these and more bike drives online.

Want to help bring Bikes Not Bombs’ bike collection to your town? We’d love to have your help to organize a bike drive!

Photo by Omar Bhimji

Join BNB for a presentation and report-back from our latest international project working with Village Health Workers in post-conflict Northern Uganda! The event will be Thursday November 8th at 7pm, at the BNB Hub.

Presenters will be:

• Omar Bhimji, the BNB Fieldworker who lived for 8 months in Amuru, Northern Uganda, to develop this project on the ground. Omar will discuss his experience as a BNB fieldworker in Uganda, will describe the activities he engaged to develop this project and will highlight the Village Health Workers currently driving this project forward.
• Miguel Gothers-Reyes, BNB Bike Shop Mechanic who visited Amuru for 2 months to prototype and assess the viability of bicycle ambulances in this project.
• David Branigan, BNB International Programs Director, will provide current project updates and BNB’s plans for ongoing project development to support post-conflict renewal in Northern Uganda.

In December 2011, BNB loaded and shipped our first container of bikes, parts and tools to the Village Health Workers of Amuru, Northern Uganda. According to Omar,“On Wednesday, April 25th, after 5 months at sea, in freight yards and on the road, the container containing all of the bicycles, spare parts and tools needed for Bikes Not Bombs project in Amuru, Uganda arrived at it’s final destination: Lacor Health Centre III Amuru… As 16 volunteers excitedly formed a line, we opened the doors and were confronted by a wall of bikes. I clambered up it’s face, found a chink in the wall and, after checking my hand hold and footing, heaved: the first kid’s bike popped out of the container and was lowered into the waiting hands of an eager volunteer… Over the next 3 hours more than 400 bikes, 120 pairs of crutches and countless parts were removed from the container…”

Since that container arrived, Omar worked with the health workers to set-up a professional bicycle repair workshop in Amuru, lay the foundations for 7 village-based repair workstations, train Village Health Workers in basic and advanced mechanics and build their capacity to collectively manage the project going forward, with the help of Odoch Mark the current Project Coordinator. Come to the event to find out more!

Please RSVP to this event!

Tour participants get ready to try the bicycle blender.

Want to learn more about BNB’s work? Want to meet members of the BNB staff and youth programs alumni? Want to make a delicious smoothie on our pedal-powered blender? Join us for an Everyday Revolutions Tour!

October 13th at 1:00 pm

Read more info on tours.

Also you can see BNB’s programs first hand at a youth program graduation! Graduates from the first fall EAB session will be showing off their new bikes at a celebration featuring a “bike fashion show” on October 11 at 6:00 pm at the BNB Hub. Please join us to learn more about the program and meet our youth instructors.

Stephane (front right) will be a featured speaker at the Building Momentum Breakfast. Stephane has spent over 3 years teaching other teens at BNB, after graduating from Girls In Action herself in 2008.

Wednesday, October 24th at 8am
At the Space with a Soul Loft
281 Summer Street, 7th floor Boston, MA 02210

Bikes Not Bombs’ second annual Building Momentum Breakfast is only 2 weeks away! The Building Momentum Breakfast is designed to raise critical financial support for Bikes Not Bombs and spread the word about our innovative work using donated bicycles as a tool for self-empowerment and community transformation. The event will feature breakfast donated by Ula Café, coffee donated by Barrington Coffee, inspiring stories from individuals who have been impacted by our work, a short video, and more! While attendees will be asked to consider making a donation to support Bikes Not Bombs, there is no obligation to give!

If you’d like to join us at the event, please email Allie Hunter, Director of Fundraising & Events, at [email protected].

Save the date! Bike-A-Thon 2013 to be Sunday June 2nd

First time riders, long-term supporters, volunteers, and curious community members alike are welcomed to take part in the fun rides, fanfare, celebration and community-building of Bikes Not Bombs’ biggest event and fundraiser of the year, the Bike-A-Thon! In 2013 we look to have our greatest rides yet, so don’t miss out. Put Sunday, June 2nd in your calendar today! Also, don’t forget to hold June 23rd as a rain date just in case. We’ll be coming out with more details as we get closer to the event, but you can be sure that we’ll have:

Fully-supported rides for all skill levels!
Delicious food and a post-ride celebration for riders!
Brand new BNB t-shirts for all participants!
Great prizes for top fundraisers!

See more info and photos from the 2012 Bike-A-Thon!

October 18th, November 1st, and future dates tba

Tool Time is a time for BNB youth programs graduates, members, and volunteers to come through and use our Hub mechanics space for working on your own bike. To attend a session, please rsvp to Jeremy ([email protected]; 617-522-0222 x109) with at least 24 hours notice so we can make sure we have enough space.

See more info and upcoming Tool Time datesonline.

Finola Joyce is the September Youth Employee of the Month. In her first month as an Earn-A-Bike instructor, Finola has proven to be a great addition to the team. She takes initiative, is always on time, and is supportive to her peers. Finola has pushed herself to be less shy and reserved, and as a result has become someone that the rest of the Youth Instructors have fun with, and rely on. Congrats to Finola!

Above is a scene from With My Own Two Wheels showing Mirriam at work in the Ability Bikes shop in Ghana, a BNB partner. Meet her on the big screen at the Boston Bike Film Festival!

Friday, October 12, 2012
Doors open at 7pm, films start at approximately 8pm
At the historic Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington Center, MA

Join us for a bike-themed night out! The 8th annual Boston Bike Film Festival, a benefit for MassBike and Bikes Not Bombs, will be at Regent Theatre (new location!) in Arlington. Films range from the hilarious “The Man Who Lived on His Bike,” to a feature on Georgena Terry, the barrier-breaking polio survivor behind Terry Bicycles, to an inspiring film about BNB’s partners at Ability Bikes in Ghana. The event will also have live music from Slow Boat Home, door prizes, snacks from Redbones, and beer and wine available for purchase.

Save the date and tell your friends!

You can purchase tickets online for only $15. Tickets at the door will be $20. More informational is available on the Boston Bike Film Festival website.

Hope to see you there!

The JP Open Studios Group Show & Silent Auction at BNB was a big success! We had 564 people come through our space for the event and raised over $1,000 to support our work! Thank you to everyone that stopped by, bid on a piece, and helped make this event so successful and fun! We also want to acknowledge and thank the amazing artists that donated their bicycle-inspired artwork for the auction: Andrea Kulish, Cassandra Mueller, David Branigan, Elizabeth Redlich, Michele Martin, Miguel Gothers-Reyes, Monica Brookman, Shannon Grant, Susan Redlich, Vera Hunter, and Wayne Chinnock.

Artists and art-lovers alike—keep an eye out for Bikes Not Bombs’ Group Show & Silent Auction during JP Open Studios next fall!

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Chain Reaction Gets Grant!

Chain Reaction, who I have talked about before here, got an awesome grant from Citizens Bank to further their work!

Press release below:

————————

Citizens Bank yesterday announced that Chain Reaction, a youth-based organization associated with Bikes Not Bombs, has been chosen as one of two northeast winners of the “Banking on Youth” competition. Chain Reaction, Boston’s first mobile, after-school bike shop and training center, specializes in offering low-cost bike sales and repairs to neighborhoods without access to bicycle shops.

Chain Reaction was conceived by five youth employees of Bikes Not Bombs, a nonprofit located in Jamaica Plain. The teenagers – Evan Hanlon, 17, of Roslindale; Corrina Roche Cross, 17, of Brookline;  Abdul Hussein, 16, of Jamaica Plain;  Stephane Alexandre, 17, of Mattapan; and Will Gifford, 17 of Jamaica Plain – recognized low bicycle usage in many low-income neighborhoods and set out to make cycling more affordable for children. Chain Reaction will receive $1,000 of seed money to build and expand their program.

“Citizens Bank is thrilled to award Chain Reaction and their innovative idea with this seed money, which will benefit the Greater Boston community,” said Jerry Sargent, President of Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens in Massachusetts. “Through initiatives like this, we remain committed to fostering good citizenship within our footprint, and will continue to seed the kind of ingenuity and leadership demonstrated by these young entrepreneurs.”

The project launched last March, with space provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Using the Roxbury and Dorchester clubs as their operations base, the Chain Reaction founders have already refurbished and sold dozens of bikes for a minimal cost, with more bikes receiving basic repairs. Chain Reaction also offers “Learn-it, Earn-in” repairs, where bike owners can work with a team member and learn how to fix their bikes, free of charge.

Banking on Youth provides young adults with the opportunity to showcase their nonprofit venture that directly benefits society. Conceived by the Consumer Bankers Association Foundation and Ashoka Ventures, the competition required entrants to develop a creative and fun, 90-second video that demonstrated the importance and impact of their program. As a sponsoring bank, Citizens provided seed money to bring the winners’ ideas to life.

More than 170 business plan proposals were received this year and are available at www.bankingonyouth.org. The video for Chain Reaction can be found here: http://bankingonyouth.org/chain-reaction/. A full listing of the 55 regional winners, along with their videos is available here. For further information about the competition visit www.bankingonyouth.org

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