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

Geothermal well drilling is underway for the Campus Instructional Facility project. As of 8/28, nine of 40 wells have been completed in compliance with the project stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP).

The Sustainable Student Farm will host its annual Open House on Friday September 6 from 3-6 PM.  Tours of the SSF and Woody Perennial Polyculture projects will be offered as well as food items prepared by the U of I’s Housing and Dining Services featuring produce from the farm. The Student Sustainable Farm grows fruit and vegetables that are sold within the campus community.  Woody Perennial Polyculture is an experimental, alternative farming approach focusing on perennial tree crops instead of annual cropping systems.  Come out to listen, eat, and learn!

September 6, 3–6:00 PM • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sustainable+Student+Farm/@40.079908,-88.2189663,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x880cd6f002562e19:0x5ffbd796430d2fef!8m2!3d40.079908!4d-88.2167776

Bruce Branham • Department of Crop Sciences

Dr. Mohamed Attalla, Executive Director at F&S, responded to Dr. Ximing Cai, iWG Chair, on August 27, 2019 stating, "We will review options for incorporating geothermal into existing campus documents, and share our thoughts with the iWG before proceeding."

For further information about this project, please see Geothermal on Campus. 

See the transmittal of eGen009 Campus Geothermal Policy Recommendation. 

See the SWATeam Recommendation eGen009 Campus Geothermal Policy. 

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

Following the completion of iWG assessment for PWR016 Motion Sensor Lighting, the recommendation was transmitted to Dr. Mohamed Attalla, Executive Director of Facilities & Services.

See iWG Assessment of PWR016 Motion Sensor Lighting attached.  The iWG asks, "Please provide the Zero Waste SWATeam with an overview of the existing occupancy sensor efforts. Please explain the direction of these efforts, reasoning, and status/progress to date."

See original SWATeam recommendation PWR016 Motion Sensor Lighting - Submittal.