RCJoh-@attglobal.net

If you are one of the many people who would like to make a more lasting

contribution to the people affected by hurricane Katrina please read the

following. At the same time I believe we have a rare opportunity to

change how much of America thinks about bicycles.



I will also provide this in PDF to requests directed to the email

addresses listed at the end.



Thanks,

Rick Johnson







Bike Relief USA





Overview



America is grappling with the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina.

For many the realization that a significant piece of America has been

reduced to the status of a third world disaster area has struck hard.

All across our great country many people are left feeling powerless and

wish they could do something to help. My fellow Oregonians and I are no

exception. Confronting the reality that I cannot walk away from my job

and responsibilities to go assist personally I have been considering

what is possible with what I know and can do. This has led me to a very

big idea, bigger than anything I could do only by myself. Because it

has to do with bicycles I would like to share this with you in the hopes

that the idea catches on and that we all can work together to make it

happen.



In short, we have before us the opportunity not just to make a valuable

contribution to the rescue and recovery of the gulf coast but to change

how all of America thinks about bicycles. How many times have you said

to yourself you wish more people rode bikes, that there were more

options to commute on your bike, or that people gave more respect to

those riding bicycles? Well now is our chance to make a major leap

towards earning that rightful place. It?s a rare moment in history when

entire regions are rebuilt literally from the ground up and that moment

is upon us. The gulf coast could be the national example of how

important bicycles are. At this pivotal time we have the opportunity to

influence everything from social acceptance to federal funding

priorities. But we must earn it!



The following sections describe how we can accomplish the following:

? Harness community spirit to aid our fellow Americans along the gulf

coast.

? Provide a valuable tool to rescue and relief workers which will in

time be handed off to the returning residents.

? Plant seeds of respect for the bicycling community all across the

country by showing our caring and generosity.

? Get bikes on the ground and demonstrating their daily usefulness at

the critical moment when rebuilding plans are being formulated.



It is said that Oregon loves dreamers ? so let?s prove it!







The Basic Problem



Everywhere affected by the disaster shares several common problems; lack

of power, limited fuel and disrupted transportation routes. Some of

critical bottlenecks will be cleared soon; others will persist for

months, if not years. In the mean time rescue workers, police,

engineers, construction workers, inspectors and surveyors and everybody

else working on the rebuilding effort will need to get around. What

they need is a small, efficient means of transportation that requires no

fuel or power and can maneuver around all manner of obstacles.

Quite simply, they need bicycles. Bicycles in massive quantities, by

the thousands. Though this may seem like a daunting task it is entirely

achievable through the organization I envision. We just need to break

the job down to manageable tasks that can be accomplished on the local

level. Please read on?





Where Are the Bikes?



In my modest community I know we could fill at least a semi-trailer with

donated bikes. Old commuter bikes, mountain bikes replaced by newer

models. More from well intentioned people who never quite got going on

their New Years fitness resolution, etc. Uncounted bikes are hanging in

garages, propped in the corners, languishing in storage. And all of

them are perfectly suited for the task of Bike Relief ? sturdy, low tech

and reliable. I have one; my Mom has one, even my business partner has

a couple. I?ll bet you can say the same thing, it?s a resource found in

abundance and at relatively little cost.





Rounding Up the Herd



Collecting all these bikes and getting them to where they?re needed are

where the real work begins. But again, from the community level it?s

not that hard. Simple word of mouth will accomplish much as bicyclists

tend to meet and share information in many ways. Beyond that your local

bike shop (LBS) could choose to offer incentives, perhaps a discount on

a new bike or a store credit for donating a bike. There are probably

ways to qualify this activity for tax credits. The ways we can promote

this are limited only by the creative energy of the participants. I see

many ways this can be a focal point of community pride and bring people

together to accomplish a common goal. We could make some real fun of

it!







Tune-ups and Safety



Next we need to ensure that what we collect is ready to ride before we

deliver. This is where the most valuable assistance will come from your

LBS. We need help making sure that these bikes are serviceable and,

above all else, safe to ride. The LBS personal are experienced,

knowledgeable and proficient at getting bikes ready to ride. They have

the resources and there is no substitute for their expertise. I know it

is a lot to ask of people and businesses that routinely run on their

love of the ride and little profit. But hopefully you have been

supporting your LBS because we need them now more than ever. I would

hope that both sides see the long term value in this cooperation for

customer loyalty is a two way street.





Making the Move



Once we have massed and serviced the bikes the next thing is

transportation. This is pretty straightforward once the pieces are in

place. Logistically it?s a simple pack a semi-trailer as tight as

possible using the minimum packaging necessary. Preferably we would use

packaging materials that could be reused in the rebuilding effort on the

other end so there is little additional waste to dispose of.



The more significant part of this step will require some expertise to

arrange. Getting the use of trucks and trailers ? preferably as a

corporate donation ? is a job for someone with familiarity with the

industry and hopefully some connections. The same can be said for the

task of securing funding for fuel and other associated shipping costs.

Obviously, drivers are important but I know there are many good, caring

and generous ones out there. I believe with the right publicity this

problem will solve itself. I believe this because I used to drive a

truck in a ?former life?. I have seen firsthand how many good

hardworking Americans there are driving our roads.



Transportation is an area where there are many options. As the Bike

Relief concept spreads across America each community will find its own

unique solution. Communities closer may choose to convoy with U-Hauls

or private trailers, others might even transport bikes by boat. It all

comes down to finding what works best from the locally available

options.



Remember: ?Where there is a will, there is a way?







Delivering the Goods



This is another area requiring some expertise and connections. I see

the approach here being two pronged because of the likely bureaucratic

hurtles. First we need the people on the scene appreciating the need

for bicycles and requesting them. I think it will quickly become

obvious how valuable of a resource this will be. This is the ?squeaky

wheel? approach; remember how the Mayor of New Orleans got his message

out? We don?t simply want to drop some bikes off and hope they get used

? we want people eagerly awaiting their arrival, ready to put them right

to work. The key is getting the word out to the people on the scene.

With thousands of people headed to the area to help everybody is going

to know of somebody they can get the word out to. If workers on the

scene are asking for bikes somebody is going to listen when we call and

say we?d like to drop off a bunch.



Working from the top down we need to contact the various agencies that

are in charge of the relief effort so we can make the deliveries.

Again, someone with connections will make short work of this. If we are

faced with having to shout above the clamor of all the organizations

wishing to be heard it could be a difficult process. Somebody reading

this is going to have a friend or relative that can help make the

critical high level connection. We need your help!





Conclusion



Once we have accomplished the first Bike Relief mission we will have

proved the model which then can be duplicated across the country.

Publicity is the key to success - TV, newspaper, radio and the Web. We

need to ?spread the gospel? as far as possible, share our knowledge and

methods so other communities can be a part of this. The goal is to

create a phenomenon.



And remember the benefits, not only are we helping our fellow Americans

but we can change the way bicycles are thought of in America. No longer

a toy for kids, or just a recreational pastime but a valuable

transportation resource worthy of respect and consideration.



By way of comparison think of the Netherlands, where 16 million people

own 13 million bicycles. Consider the similarities between Amsterdam

and New Orleans; both mostly flat, coastal low lands with moderate

climate, a seafaring history that are huge tourist destinations with a

great partying tradition. In Amsterdam cycling is a time honored

tradition that also serves very practical needs. So we need not

reinvent the bicycle; we just need a large scale demonstration of its

usefulness right here at home. The golden opportunity is right in front

of us!



Remember, the effort you contribute today will pay you back on every

ride in the years to come.





What?s Next?



Comments from the author:



Clearly this is a big undertaking. It?s bigger in scope than anything I

could take on even if I could work on it full time. I have no

experience with organizing a non-profit, media relations or fund

raising. I have no big industry connections and I know I haven?t

thought of everything. Many people could probably come up with a more

comprehensive list of needs. However, I do know about bikes and the

people that ride them. Further, I believe my fellow Oregonians care

about bigger things than themselves and that this worthy goal can be

accomplished. I dream big. Do you?



So, please share this idea around. Talk to people you know who might

like to get involved. Let?s begin the discussion of how to make this

happen. Maybe there is an organization that has the necessary talent

already assembled; if so I invite you to take this concept and run with

it. None of this is about me, it?s about us. E Pluribus Unum.



But time is of the essence, there really is little to spare.





Rick C Johnson

63987 Sunset Drive

Bend, Oregon 97701



RCJoh-@attglobal.net

RJoh-@BCAvionics.com



541-382-3727

541-390-5269