All, Still busy! I went over to the warehouse last week and picked up some of the nicer, minimally-broken bikes over there. One only needed air in the tires and a few minor tweaks to be roadworthy. It’s already on the sales floor. Will hopefully have a few more of those to churn out this week. I also returned 3 Chambana Bikes to Neutral Cycle.
We’re still suspending the First Visit Free policy here. We’ve been less than at-capacity for the first hour or two every day which is a harder sell but haven’t had too much trouble. I frankly wouldn’t mind seeing the suspension extended well into the fall as it helps to weed out people who aren’t at all interested in doing the work in the first place. I often wonder how many people are in the shop to genuinely learn and how many are here because we’re cheaper than every bike shop in town… Just something to think about.

Got more complaints about the broken fix-it pumps. One guy on the phone seemed especially frustrated since he’d been to 3 – 4 pumps across campus. I sent him over to Neutral Cycle since he was in that neighborhood already.
I have a couple interviews for some new hires this week. I already got a couple questions about Light The Night, which was surprising and welcome. I guess after 10+ years people are beginning to expect it. I also spoke with a U of I alum who’s interested in starting some similar DIY/education programming over at a small school in Indiana where he teaches. I gave him my card and flyer for TBP in case he wants to pick our brains a little more on the subject.

The numbers:
Visitors: 102
Sales: $933.60
Memberships: 18 for $540
Tires/tubes: 20 for $116

Thanks!

Jacob Benjamin
Manager, Campus Bike Center

All, Last week was crazy busy. A couple of my staffers were sick or injured, leaving me well understaffed. We had a waiting list 2 – 3 deep every day. On Friday there were six or so people on the waiting list and I think most just abandoned the idea of being able to get any fixing time. Our model of first come, first served is a little problematic in that way—especially when stands are occupied with B-a-Bs that last the entirety of open hours. Down the line, separating open hours from B-a-Bs might be a good idea for the super crazy months.
This week I am heading over to the warehouse to look at this year’s crop of bikes. Parking said there are hardly any good ones but I’m fine with that. Fewer total bikes is a win in my book!
Thanks to Todd for grabbing scrap this weekend.

The numbers:
Visitors: 89
Sales: $1,282.20
Memberships: 25 for $750
Build-a-Bike: 2 for $65
Tire/tubes: 18 for $139

Thanks!

Jacob Benjamin
Manager, Campus Bike Center

On August 26th, Sarthak Prasad sent the information needed to set up the Purchasing Orders (POs) for MTD and TBP to purchase the lights for the event. he also sent the contact information to use for Quote and Invoice.

See the meeting notes from the first group meeting for LTN 2019.

See the bike lights purchasing agreement here.

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Hi Barry and Evan,

I will get a PO set up for TBP and MTD, and then I can send them to you.  The invoice we receive needs to not include a date before the date of the PO.

The best process for us is:

1. F&S sets up a Work Order (links the costs to a campus account #).
2. TBP and MTD give us an official quote, good for 30 days.
   1. It should describe the item, quantity, and price
   2. It should include the remittance address.
3. F&S sets up a PO based on the quote, which I will request.
4. TBP and MTD receive the PO, or we tell you the PO #, and TBP and MTD order the lights.
5. When the lights are received, TBP and MTD need to send the invoice to my attention (emailing a PDF will work; copy Morgan and Stacey).
6. F&S marks them as “received” in our ordering system, and then UPAY will process the check.

We will need the quote to be sent to us before you place the orders. Please send it to Morgan’s attention, and copy me and Stacey.  For the basic info you requested:

Agency Name – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Department Name (or Individual) – Facilities & Services Sustainability, Attn: Morgan White

Postal Mail Address- 1501 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Thanks,

Sarthak

Sarthak Prasad

Sustainability and TDM Specialist

Facilities & Services

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Facilities & Services (F&S) updated the Near Far Without a Car flyer (or CarFree Flyer) in August 2019. This flyer lists the alternative modes of transportation available at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It also consists of essential safety information, such as SafeRides, SafeWalks, DRES shuttles, Bicycle Safety Tips, Bike Registration, etc.

F&S has partnered with several departments across the University to distribute the information in this flyer to thousands of old and new students. For example, this flyer will be distributed to more than 3,000 incoming international students during their mandatory check-in at the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS). F&S has also partnered with MTD to distribute this flyer to students at the Quad Day.

All, Welcome Week technically might be this week but last week really felt like it here at the Bike Center. Our visitor numbers were higher, a lot of people in for registrations and lots of bike sales.
If our refurb bike sales hold steady from last week, we’ll be out of bikes before the semester even starts. While not great, it’s also not our mission to just sell bikes. Where’s the education in that?

This week it is business as usual with the exception of Friday when we will be closed for Staff Training for all Campus Recreation employees. Obviously we’ll try to crank out some builds. We’ve still got a large pile of wheel donations to get through. That’ll help with the constant storage issues.
 

The numbers:
Visitors: 75
Sales: $2,349
Memberships: 6 for $180
Bikes (refurb): 12 for $1,835
Tire/tubes: 6 for $45

Thanks!

Jacob Benjamin
Manager, Campus Bike Center