Recipes for Disaster: an anarchist cookbook

One of the most frustrating aspects of starting a bike collective can be finding a space for it. Perhaps it is so frustrating because it doesn't seem like it should be such a stumbling block: it's a big world, after all, and you'd think some small part of it would be available to altruistic bike fiends. Generally, though, and especially if you don't have the money for renting a space, it can be tough to find one adequate for your needs. You may not care if it's indoor space (shelter from rain, vraid, and cold, and a nice concrete floor are definitely good things) or outdoor space (mmmmm, sunshine); you don't need fancy, and don't mind grungy. You're flexible in so many ways. But you need to be able to access it whenever your organization has decided you'U want to use it (no agreeing to share a practice space with a band if they're given to interminable jam sessions on your preferred work day). Like your contact information, you should try to have semi-permanent plans to remain in your space, so don't choose your boyfriend's backyard if he's moving out in two months. Obviously, any space will do as a stopgap measure, but if you do things right, people wiU be returning to you, so make it as easy for them as you can. You need to be able to leave things (bikes, tools, parts, etc.) at that space, and, if it doesn't have a locking door, you want to be able to leave things there without having them mysteriously vanish during the night (so vacant lots are probably not a good idea). And you need a decent amount of space. Nothing is more irritating than being in the middle of some complicated, not-quite-mastered repair, and leaning over to pick up a dropped vnrench only to bang your head on something. Lots of things on a bike bite, and some bite hard. You need to be able to keep a respectfid distance, as biting back is rarely an option.

A garage or backyard is frequently your best bet: they're free, relatively secure, and

/ r /^ rt" generally roomy. Grass is nice and cushy, but easy to lose tiny nuts and washers in

96 (gravel is not cushy at all, and perhaps even worse for losing parts in), so consider us-

mg a tarp or some other kind of cover for the ground. Try not to alienate landlords and neighbors with egregious messiness. Consider the security of the home fronting the garage or backyard, as you will be unable to control who hears of and comes to the prop-erty, and need to be respectful of the needs of the people who are so generously offering the space (even if it's just you and your housemates).

Those are tlie basics. Other needs wiU come up as you go along, and you will be alternately amazed and appalled by people's generosity and selfishness. Some people including some of your friends, will look at your coUective as merely a place to get free shit and some wiU join the ranks of its selfless and dedicated members. When you spend a grueling day repairing bicycles for 53 howling children at a local community center, your exhaustion will be eased somewhat by the sight of 36 of them swooping around the parkmg lot, still shrieking, on their newly repaired bikes. But you'M probably still have a headache. You will feel a flush of pride when you repair your flrst headset, and then shudder mside when you remember fliat you still need to learn how to true a wheel You may see no decrease in the number of cars on the road, but you will start seeing bikes that you recognize locked up outside the local grocery store, or at shows, or passing you in town. Then you can quit for good and let your minions continue your work.

We started our bike collective in the summer of 2000, choosing at first the name The People's Bike Stop. The Marxist overtones were no longer cute after a while so we changed our name. Tliere were five of us initiaUy: some who had big ideas about distributing bikes to children from low-income families, some with bike shop or collective experience, some with vague allegiances to a shared worldview and others with strong opinions and commitment. I myself had only learned the year before how to repair inner tubes and adjust brake pads. We set out a mission statement that we have rarely looked at since, as it appeared fliat we largely shared the same vision, and agreed that having

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