December 2008

Vol. 1, Issue 11

Contents:
1. New Belgium Grant Launches LA Social Bike Business Program
2. Help Us Reach More Leaders
3. Resources Highlights - Traffic Volume vs. Number of Friends
4. Hot Topics - Asking for Funding in a Recession

New Belgium Grant Launches LA Social Bike Business Program

Los Angeles received an economic boost the last week of December when the New Belgium Brewing Company funded initial costs of the Los Angeles pilot project of One Street's Social Bike Business program. One Street has partnered with C.I.C.L.E., a nonprofit organization promoting the bicycle for sustainable transportation in Los Angeles, to bring the program to their city. One Street will replicate this program's successes in other cities around the world.

The Social Bike Business program follows the principle of social business that adheres to the proven for-profit structure, but replaces the monetary bottom line with the number of underserved people served by the business. The heart of the program will be the Bicycle Community Center, situated in Northeast Los Angeles, where area residents will tap into job training programs such as bicycle business management, manufacturing and repair. The Center will also train individuals on using bikes for transportation including riding and maintenance skills. The Center will employ local residents so students and trainers will be neighbors.

"Bicycling is not only an environmentally friendly form of transportation but for many of our community's residents who are transit dependent, it is also an effective and low cost means of contributing to their livelihoods," said Councilmember Ed Reyes of the First District in Northeast Los Angeles when he learned about the program's launch. "C.I.C.L.E's social bike business project fulfills a great need in my district and I fully support their efforts."

The bikes manufactured at the Center will cost less than the cheapest mountain bike but will hold up to tough transportation use, including carrying loads. The Center will also launch and support social bike shops in distressed neighborhoods around the Center. These social bike shops will be owned and operated by people trained at the center, offering the bikes manufactured at the Center as well as bike repair, parts, accessories and even coaching to help area residents choose bicycling for their transportation needs. The Center and the social bike shops will also help residents develop entrepreneurial opportunities with these transportation bikes such as mobile souvenir carts, delivery bicycles and even bicycle taxis.

While the New Belgium funding makes the initial launch of the program possible, funding is still needed for the Center and the training programs. Those wanting to help can contact C.I.C.L.E. or One Street. C.I.C.L.E.'s full name is Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange. Their work focuses on promoting the bicycle as a viable, healthy, and sustainable transportationchoice. Find their contact info and more at www.cicle.org.

Help Us Reach More Leaders

As an international organization, One Street relies heavily on the internet to connect with leaders of organizations who are working to increase bicycling. You can help us reach more of these leaders by posting our website link (http://www.onestreet.org ) on your own website and/or asking friends to do so. One Street's web site offers quick access to the most informative resources for increasing bicycling, so our link will enhance any like-minded website.  And here's a One Street logo to spruce up the link if you like:

:

Resources Highlights - Traffic Volume vs. Number of Friends

A new argument is emerging for bicycle advocacy - streets with the lowest traffic volumes create more friends amongst neighbors. As our deepening social isolation distorts our understanding of our neighbors, we can only hope that this argument will wield the weight it deserves. Donald Appleyard began studies on this comparison back in 1969 and a few dabbling studies followed in the '80s and '90s. But in the last two years, two extensive studies have been published at the level that would make Professor Appleyard proud:
http://www.onestreet.org/documents/BristolLivingStreetsstudy.pdf
http://www.onestreet.org/documents/TrafficsHumanToll.pdf

Hot Topics - Asking for Funding in a Recession

Fundraising concerns are always a hot topic raised by leaders who come to us for advice, but our current economic downturn has added a new veneer to this unpopular chore. No matter how we present fundraising methods, we have never found a leader of an organization who enjoys it. We believe this is because humans simply hate to ask for help. So first, here's the number one tip to always keep in mind as you approach your potential funders - rather than asking for help, you are bringing them the opportunity to improve their community in the simplest, most effective way through giving to your organization.

Now, here's the kicker for this recession issue - that tip hasn't changed one iota! In fact, your potential donors will be even more concerned about your organization and the work you do BECAUSE of the recession. So don't slow down, ramp up your fundraising efforts in an economic downturn because your message of need will be crystal clear and your donors more eager than ever to offer their funding support, even if it pinches their pocket books more than usual.