Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles

Hi everybody! Tonight, as advertised, weather permitting, we'll be running Open Shop again in front of RIBs. Sunday went well, we had better tools and were better prepared. We'll have even more tools tonight! Bring what you got! Bike projects, friends, tools, pets, most importantly, yourselves. As always, if you don't have a ton of time, feel free to simply drop by and say hi. Nicholas will be bringing enough of his personal tools to do just about any jobs that don't require... replacement parts. Note: we're adjusting the hours from 6-8pm to 5-7pm, in consideration of available daylight. Hope to see you there!!

To go somewhere new, we must first know where we have been before. Also, a lot of stuff from the past is fascinating and cool! Help support The Tompkins County History Center by pledging to support this 24-hour Tompkins County cycling odyssey!

Attn. Susan, retired bike warrior from Chicago who just donated a bunch of stuff to us on Tuesday 9/1/20: you left an old driver's license in the box of stuff. It will be at the shop for you if you want to come get it.

Happening tomorrow! Don't miss it! All our bikes will retain their 30-day warranty against defects, and will be discounted. If you've missed out on cycling this season - or just need a bike that fits you better - here's your chance to get moving!

Attention!! To those who have had their bike stolen, or those who know someone who has: We're creating a private list of stolen bikes, and we'd like for as many victims as possible to respond with your contact info (email only, please) and bike descriptions. Please contact via email or message only! We will not be able to use phone numbers or texts. Also, please do not reply below this post; this information is intended to be private.... Descriptions should include: - brand name - model name - primary color - secondary color (text/writing) - accessories (rear rack, basket, fenders, bottle cages, rear or front lights, seat covers, mirrors, etc.) - size (just guess if necessary) - date stolen - any other identifying features Feel free to stop by the shop in person to give us the information too.

Our first two days after resuming Open Shop have been instructive with respect to attendance and our gauging of COVID-19 safety, and some of our plan will need to change. Here is what we have thus far: - We will reduce attendance limits to 5 in fair weather, with one additional floating volunteer, and two in inclement weather, with one additional floating volunteer. - Once the limit has been reached, the door will be closed and a sign will be put up reflecting that we have re...ached our limit. At this point only retail visitors (buying a bike or parts) and people needing to donate will be admitted. The door will be reopened and the sign taken down when we have a free slot available. - We will not be able to respond to messages inquiring about whether there is a free slot, or provide on-the-fly updates here. Thank you for bearing with us as we all adjust. Please additionally feel free to email us at the address provided here for repair advice if you keep missing a free slot, or want to try a repair from home.

An update to all the regulars (who use Facebook): Sunday hours are shifting from 2-6pm to 4-8pm as of this coming Sunday 7/26. Be prepared!

Everyone, It's been a great privilege to be able to stay open and maintain an elevated profile during this extremely constraining event, helping people stay sane and healthy while boosting the city's biking culture and helping large numbers of people get in the road, and do so safely. Though we will continue to sell bikes, retail was never meant to be our primary focus, and we will always be more excited about helping people learn to build and fix them. Additionally, we've ar...rived at Phase 4. These things mean... it's time for a change! The first thing that will change is that we're closing for two weeks, beginning today. The first of these weeks will be a working week, where we try to catch up on some things left neglected as we've been doing the retail thing. The second week will be a total closure in order to give us a bit of respite after several months of intense hustle. This means we will be re-opening on Sunday, July 19th, and when we do, Open Shop will finally return!!! Guess what though, the virus is still out there, lurking. Subsequently the following are conditions that must be followed by every participant and volunteer: - on days we are open, masks covering both nose and mouth will be required at all times on the premises, including in the front and back yard, without exceptions - upon arrival, hands must be washed (20 seconds, with soap) after stowing gear/donning mask but before beginning work, without exceptions - population will be limited on a first-come, first-serve basis to eight participants on fair weather days and three participants on rainy days, with one volunteer additionally, totaling potentially nine people - no reservations will be accepted, online or otherwise, just show up (and have a backup plan in case we're at capacity and you get turned away) ...and that's it. As much as constraints and such might be a drag, it's super exciting to be looking at having Open Shop back. Our most sincere thanks for all your business, patience, collaboration, and support over the last few months See you in a couple weeks, at Open Shop!

Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles joins other county transportation partners in committing to safe public spaces, in solidarity against structural racism and police violence. Here is our joint statement: As leaders in transportation-related work in Tompkins County, we condemn the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and so many Black and Brown people whose suffering and deaths were fueled by racism. We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter mo...vement and the protests here in Ithaca and across the country calling for systemic change that addresses racism and supports justice and equality. We are a predominantly white group who are re-committing to serious self-reflection and critical thinking to learn more about how Black and Brown people are affected by transportation, in Tompkins County and nationally and how we can do more, here and now, to change this long term issue. We know transportation policies and infrastructure decisions have reinforced racism in the United States, historically and still today. Transportation infrastructure has segregated and destroyed communities and disproportionately harmed people of color. Interstate highway construction frequently razes Black and Brown neighborhoods, and Robert Moses’ bridges near New York City were designed low enough that public buses could not pass under, keeping those without the wealth to own a car out of the suburbs. We also know transportation and public space create opportunities for protest: Rosa Parks changed history in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat for segregationist bus policies, sparking a boycott that lasted 381 days before a change. We commit to re-convening an active, accountable, and effective Transportation Equity Task Force, as part of work to center the voices and concerns of Black and Brown people in our work. We also commit to helping lead a stronger culture of actively interrupting violence and micro-aggressions in public space. Our streets, sidewalks, parks, buses, and events must be safe for everyone, no matter skin color or mode of travel. Signed, TCAT, Gadabout, Ithaca Carshare, Bike Walk Tompkins, Cornell Cooperative Extension Way2Go, Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council, Recycle Ithaca’s Bicycles (RIBs), and GO ITHACA Additionally, RIBs would like to contribute that we believe white supremacy is a real and delusional force at work in the world, and that we are committed not only to not being racist, but specifically to maintaining ideals of anti-racism and anti-white supremacy.

Moving forward into Phase 4, we'll have more opportunities for volunteers and other workers to inhabit the space. The Summer Youth Employment Program of Tompkins Workforce New York is partnering with us to provide work opportunities for income-eligible young people from Tompkins County, ages 14-20. If you're interested in working with us, register via the link provided below and make sure to specify our worksite (Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles) as your primary interest. Just a qui...ck refresher on what you might be doing: Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles is the centerpoint for all manner of work involving used and unwanted bicycles in the Ithaca area. We recondition, salvage, upcycle, repair, sell, and redistribute these bicycles, as well as providing a free and open workspace for all community members to share skills, fix their own bikes, volunteer, and learn about sustainability and the elegant machine that is the bicycle!

Here's the latest on resumption of open shop: It looks like it will have to wait until Phase 4, when in-person education and social services outreach are slated to reopen. In the meantime, status on bike sales:... We currently are out of mostly everything. However, we are building things for sale ongoing, so check back. In person or via email is the best way. We really do not check the Facebook as often as email (address provided here). And we still have plenty of components and accessories for sale - no sign of running out of those anytime soon. So if you need a part or a accessory, look us up. Lastly - conditions for retail: - We only take cash or cheque - You must wear a mask and it must actually fit and it cannot just be your shirt stretched up over ya face - only one pod (group quarantined together or single person) allowed in the building at any time - 6ft distance, plus masks, required inside or when hanging around outside - do not touch anything at all when inside, unless invited to All this is a real drag for some people, we get it - thanks for putting up, keeping other people safe with your masks, and supporting us. Stay healthy and Ride On!

Here's the latest update on our Open Shop status, now due, as we're almost at the 15th. No really big news, but that's probably how this is going to progress: carefully and incrementally. As we should, we're following state, national, and international guidance on this, primarily using the state's plan (thanks for the hard work, Governor Cuomo and team!). What this looks like is that there will be a gradual easing back into something that at least somewhat resembles what came... before, but we aren't changing our current state yet. Since Open Shop necessarily involves a lot of people working closely together, we probably won't seek it to be included in Phase One. However, our understanding is that even the *current* gathering limit for people is groups of 10 (corrections are welcome). What this will probably mean is that when phase two begins, we will likely reintroduce Open Shop with attendance limits, a requirement for masks and special hygiene precautions (hand washing before using the space), and constant reminders about doing our best to maintain 6 feet of distance. If things go well, this will have a chance to move forward in two weeks or so. This is a tentative preview, so this is all being conveyed cautiously. But we're really excited at the prospect of reopening Open Shop in time for Spring and Summer! Stay safe, maintain precautions, and stay tuned!