In the spirit of the latest edition of GOOD Magazine “The Next Big Thing”, we’re asking our community this question: How will you promote sharing in your community? The top idea will receive a $1,000 grant.

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Idea by Common Cycle

16Comments

Bicycles Built for Many

The Idea

We're refurbishing donated and abandoned bicycles to start a bike loan program with the local library. We want to demonstrate the concept of bike sharing in our city, and lay the groundwork for a larger-scale program, which several community partners are interested in developing. http://commoncycle.org/

The Plan

$1000 will buy the chains, cables, brake pads, cassettes, and other replacement parts needed to bring used bikes into safe riding condition. Volunteers will do what they do best, using Common Cycles shared toolsets to rebuild dozens of donated and abandoned bicycles.

Discussion

16Comments

A bike-share program with the library could be a great opportunity for our community! Great idea!

by kbatzli

2 months ago | Reply

AADL and Common Cycle = two favorite, forward-thinking organizations together!

by whoisdonald

2 months ago | Reply

Great idea!!

by Chelsear11

2 months ago | Reply

Having the library keep track of the bikes and Common Cycle fix them sounds like genius! So cool!

by erjank

2 months ago | Reply

Great idea!

by TeacherPattiS

2 months ago | Reply

Can you give specifics? How many chains, cables, brake pads, cassettes, etc. would $1k buy? How many happy Ann Arbor riders is this?

by annarborarthur

2 months ago | Reply

We aim to restore between 20 and 30 bicycles. What we need to buy for each bike depends on the state we receive it. $1k would be enough to cover chains, cables, housing and brake pads for 30 bikes, but not every bike will need all of those things. Excess money will be used to purchase more expensive parts for bikes in rougher shape.

by Common Cycle

2 months ago | Reply

This is a ridiculously good idea; the library is all about managing common resources for greater good.

by steiza

2 months ago | Reply

Impressive idea! AADL & Common Cycle would be an excellent collaboration.

by yaybikes

2 months ago | Reply

Fantastic idea- I hope this partnership of community bike groups and libraries expands to the rest of the country!

by dandreas

2 months ago | Reply

Sounds like a fantastic idea and program!

by SallyBerg

2 months ago | Reply

Great idea!

by hdfoster

2 months ago | Reply

Except the library can't manage to put in decent bike parking at any of its branches. Notice that it rains around here? Seen any covered bike parking at the libraries? Tried biking to the library in the winter? Half the time you can't park your bike because they haven't gotten around to digging out their bike parking. I've seen times in the past that they tossed the snow from the sidewalks *on* the bike parking. The library could do cyclists a much bigger service by just having decent bike parking and maintaining it.

by kjmclark

2 months ago | Reply

Whats awesome about common cycle is that they serve the whole community of bike-users, whatever their need, whatever kind of bike they ride, not just high-end "cyclists". I think this is a super worth cause!

by lostiguana

2 months ago | Reply

Congrats on a race well run! I love your idea.

by campoconnor

2 months ago | Reply

I think this idea is perfect for Ann Arbor. Good luck on your project.

by jet_boy

2 months ago | Reply