help_outline Skip to main content

Delaware Valley Bicycle Club

DVBC Discussion

Looking for interest / founding members to start a...
Author Last Post
Hey Far,
I’ll support however I can. I’m not much of an idea guy and don’t have a lot of extra time, but I’m always up for anything bicycling. I think Transition Town Media would also support such a grassroots effort.
I will say that Del Cty council has been DOING amazing things and they are serious about improving bike/ped mobility and greenspace and VP Elaine Schaefer is a fantastic ally. I know she is very focused on connecting up the Circuit Trails.
I do know a lot of folks who say they’re not comfortable biking around Media but if this effort fails maybe you could try a repair cafe. TTM would like to do that but never had a leader.
And last thing, I wonder of you could help me get an updated Linux Mint version on my desktop. I’d be happy to pay or barter.
Cheers!
Ira


James;

Awesome to meet you. Please do add me to "Bike Delco Action Team" !?!


I've though of starting a Media / our own 'Weds Night Rides' for/with kids to get... Ice Cream? Motschu Doughnuts? It would be a ride every 2 weeks, on Weds. Focus on bikibus / to escort kids. Would you be up for teaming up to make that (or something similar) happen?


Bike On;

- Far McKon

*Weds Night Rides: https://wednightrides.org/

Hey Ira! :

Good point. I did already look around the county site, and saw some info, but none of it actionable / pending. More of hopeful

dreams and sketches of ideas (if you know of something certain, please let me know!) .


I think there is a chicken-egg problem on this, between the townships / County seeing need, and executing on a plan. I outlined a rough progress path below (and at https://delcogreenway.com/bikeshare ) . Worst case is we prove demand, have some fun, and shut down.


AKA If the County steps up and makes something before I get anywhere, that is fine by me. But coming out of DIY / Punk / Hackerspace community, I'd like to get something DIY going to get momentum.


Below is a DRAFT vision progress-path. It really needs to be an agreed goal by those 2-5 core people who will throw a few hours at this a month, but it's there as a starting point.


(Draft) Progress Path:

[ ] 5 core volunteers & 50 ‘email list’ members

[ ] Raise $2K (or collect donations) to make an 5-bike mobile Example Pod

[ ] Example Pod at 2+ events a month, and regular ‘pod-sitters’ to run it

[ ] Example Pod ‘Take to Ride’ event once a month / 50+ check-out’s a month

[ ] 10 board members, 100 ‘$2 monthly’, and 1,000 ‘email list’ members

[ ] Community Survey to pick the top 10 Pod locations

[ ] 1 Permanent DIY Pod at <TBD> & start fundraiser for commercial pod

[ ] 20 Purpose-built Pods Purchased, Installed.

[ ] Launch the non-Profit / LLC / B-Corp


Thoughts?


Bike on

-Far McKon


P.S. If no one steps up after 6 months? The community doesn't want it enough. I'll shelve it. Then move onto another wacky plan to build community & make Delco more weird & kind & wonderful.



Welcome, Far! I also "daily drive" my bike, particularly, these days, my cargo bike, to bring my kids to school/camp, get groceries, etc., but I agree with you, there aren't enough people doing that. I do know that the county is working on a bike share program as part of their sustainability program, and it's good to have people, like you, to keep reminding them of the demand for that. If you would like, I can add you to the Bike Delco Action Team, whose email address is Bike Delco, to keep you apprised of our efforts. 

Welcome to Delco! 

Best,
James

Hey Far,
Ira here from FF buying club. I guess you haven’t seen me riding all around town including back or forth to Philly and on and off the train. 
Are you thinking you want a system like Indigo out here? I think the DelCo Sustainability Transportation committee might be investigating that. They are definitely working to connect up towns and parks.
We also have Bike DelCo, part of the Bike Coalition, and I have included the leader, James Bergman, here.
I’m glad you found this DVBC discussion email as I often have things to say to local cyclists and didn’t know this still exists. 
Cheers!
Ira

Hey folks;


"If you wish to build a ship, do not divide the men into teams and send them to the forest to cut wood. Instead, teach them to long for the vast and endless sea." - Antoine de Saint Exupery


I recently moved from West Philly, and I used bikeshare there on and off. But I see nothing like that out here.


We have Media, Newtown Sq, Springfield : these great little / medium downtown, great for bike errands. Also we have amazing parks like Smedley, Ridley, Creek, and Middletown great bike trail. But still, I don't see people 'daily driver' biking or really out on the paths/ road much.


So, I'm looking to find 2-8 excited people, who are up to waste some of their time to collaborate and bootstrap a bike-sharing program.


Best case is we make a little non-profit out of it. Medium case is, we shame the county or townships into doing something. Worst case is we spend some time sharing our love of bikes, and make a few people (including us?) happier.


Chat me up here, or email farmckon@gmail.com OR info@delcogreenway.com if this sounds like a fun way to meet some folks, and make biking more accessible.


Bike On;

- Far McKon

Return to Forum