Summer Job with Bike Library and Americorps

AmeriCorps Summer Opportunity with the Bike Library

The Iowa City Bike Library is currently seeking a motivated individual interested in working with our organization as an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate. The position requires a full-time commitment of 8 to 10 weeks over the summer months. You will be working closely with our core of Bike Library volunteers and other VISTAs in the area. This is a wonderful opportunity for a summer of service in an exciting and rewarding environment. There is paid compensation as well as eligibility for an education award at the end of your term of service.

To be eligible:
Summer Associates must be at least 18 years of age at the time of placement.
Be a U.S. Citizen, National or Legal Resident.
Able to commit and serve on a full-time basis for 8-10 weeks.
Not have outside employment during time of service.

Benefits:
Monthly Living Stipend of $858/Month.
Education Award of $1,132.

For more information contact:
Bradley Parsons, AmeriCorps VISTA
Iowa City Bike Library Volunteer Coordinator
bradley.vistajc@gmail.com
iowacitybikelibrary@gmail.com

To apply:
Call Linda Yanney, Johnson County VISTA Team Leader (319) 625-2117
Linda.yanney@vistacorridorrecovery.org

To find out more about local projects and national initiatives visit www.vistacorridorrecovery.org and www.americorps.gov

Farmer's Market Fix a Flat with the Fix-it Stand!

Learn how to fix a flat tire with the new fix-it stand installed outside New Pioneer. Erin Fleck will give a demonstration during the first Farmer's Market, May 1, 2010, at 10 a.m.

Bike Libraries in the News

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Wheeling out a new idea: A lending library of bicycles

Spring Has Arrived!

There was a lineup outside the BL yesterday morning! Fortunately, we had a pretty decent supply of bikes to check out. We have a great group of volunteers and I think we're ready for a busy spring and summer. Meanwhile, enjoy a couple of pics take by our youngest volunteer, Elinor.

Renovations... Bring On The New Decade!

We've been hard at work at the Bike Library during our shutdown. We've added a third workbench and much additional storage for wheels, parts, handlebars, forks and such. We had a wonderful donation yesterday of a typeset cabinet that will be perfect for sorting and storing small parts and bits. A big thanks to everyone that pitched in to remake the space.

Special thanks to Nathan Shepherd and Brad Parsons for bringing the Funk!

Here are a couple of pictures. The first is from yesterday and the second is from when we first moved into the space (2005).

Winter Break

The Bike Library will be closed for Winter Break from December 20 until January 23, 2010

If you are a patron who needs to return a bike during that time, please email us at iowacitybikelibrary at gmail dot com to make arrangements.

Bike Library Garage Sale

Saturday, September 26 10:00-1:00
Frames, project bikes, parts...
Come check it out.

Rv for bicyclists

Just because you don't own a gasoline powered vehicle does not mean you can't have and RV. Check it out here.

Sharrows & Bike Lanes in IC

Johnson County residents and bicycling enthusiasts are invited to join Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey on Thursday, July 2^nd at 5:15 p.m. in College Green Park to see the most recent improvements to the local bicycle network – shared lane arrows, or “sharrows.”

In an effort to become more bicycle-friendly, some Johnson County communities are installing new sharrow pavement markings and bike lanes on streets this summer. The sharrows, which are an alternative to bike lanes, can be found on 5^th Street in Coralville, and on Market, Jefferson, and College Streets in Iowa City, beginning this week. Bike lanes will be painted on segments of Market and Jefferson Streets.

A sharrow does not demarcate a separate bicycle lane, but it does direct the bicyclist to travel in the proper lane position to avoid being hit by opening doors of parked cars. The sharrow markings also remind roadway users where the travel lane is too narrow to be safely shared side-by-side by cyclists and passing motorists.

Many cyclists know that when there is no bike lane present, cyclists are expected to ride on the right. Some sharrows and bike lanes, however, are located in the left lane. Why? In a word, safety:

1. Bicycle lanes and sharrows on the left side of some one-way streets are gaining popularity to help reduce the number of bicyclists being struck by opening car doors;
2. This location removes bicyclists from the path of buses pulling into bus stops;
3. The left curb lane is most clear of snow on streets where vehicles park along the right curb; and
4. The design helps increase visibility, as the rear-right blind spot is eliminated and drivers can more easily see a bicyclist in the driver’s side mirror.

For more information on sharrows and bike lanes or other improvements to the local bicycling network, contact Kristopher Ackerson, JCCOG Assistant Transportation Planner, at 319.356.5247.

*All content above reposted from JCCOG press release vis Kris Ackerson

Bike Library Volunteers in the News

The Press-Citizen is featuring some great writing from Bike Library volunteers this week! Check out Brian's fact-filled editorial On the Advantages of Biking here and Erin's essay about being a bike commuter here.

The latest issue of The Iowan Magazine features an article about the Bike Library. You can read it online here.