[YellowBike] COCD Proposal

[Wills Kinsley]

COCD wants to help us out this semester and now might be the time to get some
new bikes and go legit. Here's a proposal I drafted up right quick, any and all
suggestions welcome. Let me know what cha think and I'll send it in and then we
get some BYKES!!!!

cocd proposal------

Historically, Yellow Bike has used donated bikes and converted them to a single
speed with a coaster brake for safety, durability and ease of use. Because of
the variety in bicycle design, we are not able to use most of the bikes we get
and they are harder to use as examples for teaching bicycle maintenance because
of the difference in parts on each bike. One of the main complaints Yellow Bike
receives from the administration is that the rusty and broken bicycles around
campus are not aesthetically pleasing, regardless of their functionality.

Because the some staff members did not like looking at the bikes and we have
inefficient space to store them, we loose many bikes during the summer as they
are picked up and discarded by physical plant. To improve the image of Yellow
Bike and inspire the community to take more ownership and better care of the
bicycles, Yellow Bike would like to purchase a batch of 10 new, industrial
strength bicycles made in the United States as part of a pilot program. The
bicycles are purpose built to withstand harsh use and environments and are
produced by the oldest bicycle factory still in operation. They will come
equipped with kevlar tires, puncture resistant tubes, and alloy rims to prevent
rust.

I have been in contact with the company and they are willing to send us the
bikes unpainted and disassembled so that building and painting them can be a
community experience that will help people form a connection with the program
and a respect for the bikes. Receiving them unpainted will also allow us to
weld on metal nameplates that will distinguish them as Yellow Bikes and prevent
theft as they will be instantly recognizable. To ensure that the bikes are not
lost or stolen in the summer months, we will need to secure a location for them
or be guaranteed further use of our current space in the basement or the Merrill
House office. In near future, we have also discussed plans for purchasing
bicycle racks that will be painted yellow and placed in the center of all
living areas and building complexes as stations where the Yellow Bikes can be
parked and easily found.

Because of its size and isolated location, Hampshire has the potential of having
one of the most successful bike sharing programs in the United States. Such a
program could become a major selling point of the college and we will be in
contact with admissions to make sure the process is advertised to prospective
students.

The price per bike with upgrades is $373.15

$373.15 X 10 = $3731.50

Please check out the Worksman Bikes website:
http://worksmancycles.aitrk.com/?teng=go

Thanks! -YellowBikers