“Look at a map and you’ll see that Detroit is designed in the shape of a wheel, with streets emanating like spokes from the downtown hub. It looks like a premonition, a city uniquely designed to alter transportation forever.”
– Bike Among the Ruins by Tony Barlow; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinion/05barlow.html
Dear BikeIt Rider,
In June 2010, the second US Social Forum (USSF) will take place in Detroit MI. The purpose of this forum is to have an open space where folks who believe another world is possible can come together for political dialogue and relationship building – and to see the transformation of that alternative world in action.
Another world is happening in Detroit – new forms of collaborative organizing are occurring, and the people of Detroit are working on the development of practices for a community-centered society, not an auto-centered society. We want to promote bicycle awareness and easy, affordable transportation in a city where bus transportation is unreliable and only 25% of Detroit residents own cars.
We are asking for donations of bicycles, tools, and bike parts. Our goal is to collect 5,000 bicycles for distribution around the city during and after the Social Forum June 22-26, 2010. Visitors and residents will use the bicycles to tour the city and transport themselves to workshops. We want to create an exciting bicycle presence in our city to show that another world is possible.
What will we do with the bikes after the Social Forum is over? Your donated parts, tools, and bicycles will be used to help transform our city. We are in the process of targeting churches, community groups, youth groups, and potential businesses that have the capacity and desire to use bicycles for their programs. The bicycles and parts you donate to the Social Forum will be used by these groups after June 2010.
If you are in Michigan, we will be collecting bicycles in Michigan on February 17th, 2010. Please email ussfbikes@gmail.com for details.
If you are outside Michigan, please contact bikeit2010@gmail.com
In Solidarity,
The Sustainability Committee
Detroit Local Organizing Committee
US Social Forum Detroit 2010
www.ussf2010.org
Detroit Bike Donation Wish List:
In addition to donations of bicycles of all sizes and styles we request:
Tools:
- metric open/box end wrenches (sets)
- individual open end/box end wrenches in 8, 10, 12, 15 mm
- metric allen (hex) wrenches (sets)
- individual allen/hex wrenches 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 mm
- large and small adjustable (crescent) wrenches
- screwdrivers, Phillips and flathead, of various sizes
Parts:
- tubes
- tires
- lube/grease
- brake cable
- shifter cable
- brake housing
- shifter housing
- brake pads mtn
- brake pads canti
- brake pads road
Accessories:
- helmet
- bike lock
- bike stand
