We're Hiring: Mobile Bike Shop Mechanics (Part time)

Do you often help your neighbors and friends fix their bikes? Are you excited about helping explain to people how to make basic bike repairs? Are you excited about providing accessible bike mechanic services to more Baltimore neighborhoods?

We’re hiring Mobile Bike Shop Mechanics to keep more bikes on the street, and use bikes as a tool to have conversations and connect with communities. The Mobile Bike Shop visits community events and parks, and fixes bikes for free. Through this interaction we’re able to talk with people about their neighborhood, how they get around, and what they want to see in the future. You should feel comfortable working on a range of bikes, but don’t need to have experience working at a bike shop or formal training to be a good fit.

We realize job descriptions and the hiring process are imperfect. We do not hire based solely on experience. If the work sounds interesting to you and you believe you have the aptitude to develop the skills required, we encourage you to apply. We’re looking for applicants with diverse experiences and perspectives that will help strengthen our organization.

Interested but not sure if it’s a good fit, or have other questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us at jobs@bikemore.net or 443-475-0350.

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Mobile Bike Shop Mechanic (Part Time)

ABOUT BIKEMORE

For the past six years Bikemore has worked to increase and improve bicycle infrastructure, policies, and awareness to create a safer, healthier, more livable bicycling city. We use the bike as a tool to facilitate discussion around equitable transportation and land use policy. We are a small but mighty staff of three that is growing quickly and the Mobile Bike Shop Mechanic will serve an integral role, improving service and helping to build community relationships.

ABOUT THE MOBILE BIKE SHOP

The Mobile Bike Shop provides approachable, free access to bike repair services while engaging communities in conversations about bike and livable cities advocacy. By partnering with existing community events, we bring inclusive repair experiences to neighborhoods that don’t have easy access to a bike shop. Now in its fourth season, we’re working to expand the Mobile Bike Shop by attending more events, and are looking for a couple part time mechanics.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• With a Bikemore team member, load and unload, set up and breakdown of tent, bike stands, and shop tools.

• Process bikes as they visit the mobile shop, quickly assessing and triaging level of repair needed.

• Provide high quality repairs on a variety of types of bikes, including older bikes, bmx, and kids bikes.

• Make recommendations for additional tools or parts needed for shop inventory.

• Ability to set up and oversee mobile shop system that works for you. The Mobile Bike Shop is focused on basic bike repairs that help keep bikes working and safe; any repairs that take a longer amount of time or require specialized parts will be referred to a bike shop.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Comfortable working in a fast paced and outdoor environment.

• Ability to engage both kids and adults, explaining to them the repairs their bike needs and answer questions about repair and maintenance in an understandable and accessible manner.

• Act as a public face of Bikemore, operating and communicating in a professional manner.

• Have enthusiasm about keeping bikes working and safe, and providing accessible repair services.

SCHEDULE AND PAY

• The community events the Mobile Bike Shop attends are located throughout Baltimore City.

• Most events are in the evenings during the week, and during the day on weekends.

• A schedule of events will be sent out 4 weeks ahead of time, and the mechanic will sign up for the events they’re able to work.

• About 15 opportunities through the summer and early fall season will be available, and each event is typically a 4 hour shift.

• Pay is based on experience, starting at $15/hour.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible.

Candidates should email a resume and cover letter to jobs@bikemore.net with “Mobile Bike Shop Mechanic” in the subject line. Candidates we interview will be required to provide 3 references.

Bikemore provides equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex or age.

PDF of Mobile Bike Shop Mechanic (Part Time)

We're Hiring: Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator

Do you enjoy connecting with communities across the city? Are you excited to talk to people about how they get around Baltimore? Are you able to easily connect with people? Are you excited to connect people to resources to help them realize the visions they have for their neighborhoods?

We’re hiring a Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator to help us use bikes as a tool to have conversations and connect with communities. The Mobile Bike Shop visits community events and parks, and fixes bikes for free. Through this interaction we’re able to talk with people about their neighborhood, how they get around, and what they want to see in the future. The Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator definitely doesn’t have to be a master bike mechanic. If you maintain your own bike, you’re probably a good fit. You’ll have part time mechanics working with you, and there will be opportunities for training.

We realize job descriptions and the hiring process are imperfect. We do not hire based solely on experience. If the work sounds interesting to you and you believe you have the aptitude to develop the skills required, we encourage you to apply. We’re looking for applicants with diverse experiences and perspectives that will help strengthen our organization.

Interested but not sure if it’s a good fit, or have other questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us at jobs@bikemore.net or 443-475-0350.

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Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator

ABOUT BIKEMORE

For the past six years Bikemore has worked to increase and improve bicycle infrastructure, policies, and awareness to create a safer, healthier, more livable bicycling city. We use the bike as a tool to facilitate discussion around equitable transportation and land use policy. We are a small but mighty staff of three that is growing quickly and the Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator will serve an integral role, expanding our ability to develop authentic relationships with communities across the city and helping to get more folks on two wheels!

ABOUT THE MOBILE BIKE SHOP

The Mobile Bike Shop provides approachable, free access to bike repair services. By partnering with existing community events, we bring inclusive repair experiences to neighborhoods that don’t have easy access to a bike shop. When the Mobile Bike Shop arrives, we often see kids and adults alike running home to grab bikes they haven’t been able to ride. Often the barrier to riding is a simple, quick low cost repair like fixing a flat tire or adjusting brakes. We encourage visitors to help out with the fix, teaching them skills and language around bike repair. The Mobile Bike Shop gets kids and adults rolling again and demonstrates that biking and bike repair is for everyone, regardless of what neighborhood you live in.

The Mobile Bike Shop engages communities in conversations about bike and livable cities advocacy. Through these conversations, we’ve learned that it’s often the first time communities are being asked to consider livable streets solutions to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood. This provides an opportunity for diverse communities to become familiar with the vocabulary of street design and helps them understand that these are things they can request for their neighborhood.

The Mobile Bike Shop goes beyond getting people on two wheels. It provides community members with a path toward civic engagement to ensure all citizens have a voice in transportation advocacy.

The Mobile Bike Shop has been in operation for three years. Hiring a full time Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator will be allow us to grow the program and serve more neighborhoods. The person in this role with play a vital role in taking the program to the next level.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator is primarily responsible for the operation of our Mobile Bike Shop program that provides free service and repair to neighborhoods that lack access to a brick and mortar shop. These duties include basic bike repair and maintenance, community outreach to develop new neighborhoods we serve and maintaining existing relationships, taking the lead on program development, and assisting staff with special events. The ideal candidate is a well-organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful individual with strong task management skills who enjoys a workplace that is fast-paced and varied. You must embrace our mission that a city designed for safe biking and walking can improve the quality of life of all Baltimore City residents.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Cultivate new community partners and maintain existing relationships to ensure frequent and strategic program operation.

• Develop long term program plan that promotes growth.

• Perform basic bike maintenance and repair. And have the ability to confidently teach these skills to others.

• Supervise part time mechanics.

• Inventory, maintain, and order supplies.

• Load and unload equipment, ensuring equipment is maintained and stored properly.

Operations

• Perform general clerical duties including but not limited to: reconciling receipts, maintaining files, drafting program reports and budgets.

• Assist with managing vendor relationships.

• Support team at special events.

General Decorum

The Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator will operate in a professional manner that reflects well on Bikemore. Namely, email and in-person contact should be professional, and the Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator dress / attire should be consistent with that of other individuals at meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Basic understanding of Bikemore’s mission, vision, values, and programs.

• Bike mechanic skills

• Ability to effectively use and maintain standard office equipment (Mac OS and Printers).

• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups.

• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and multiple tasks.

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to lift upwards of 50 lbs.

SCHEDULE AND PAY

This is a full time position. Hours will average 40 hrs/week. Salary range $32-34K

The Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator’s time will be split between an open office environment and community events. This position will have a varied schedule, with community events often occurring during the evenings and weekends.

BENEFITS

Health Benefits and Health Reimbursement Account

160 hours of paid time off in addition to state holidays and accrued comp time. These hours may generally be used for vacation, sick, personal, or other leave at the employee’s discretion.

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL

Entry level

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted until June 28th, 2019. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible.

Candidates should email a resume and cover letter to jobs@bikemore.net with “Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator” in the subject line. Candidates we interview will be required to provide 3 references.

Questions? Contact us at jobs@bikemore.net or 443-475-0350.

Bikemore provides equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex or age.

PDF of Mobile Bike Shop Coordinator (Full Time) Job Description

Fighting City Hall is not enough

By Liz Cornish, Executive Director

Last Friday, when a portion of the Monument Street cycle track was removed to restore 12 parking spaces, we were all dealt a loss. But the next morning Bikemore was out with neighbors at the Boundary Block Party between Upton and Sandtown-Winchester fixing bikes. Beyond City Hall, off social media, people love talking about bikes. 

I spoke to a man living in Sandtown-Winchester. He lost his son to violence in January and wants to organize a ride for peace. We fixed a bike for a mother who wants to open a wellness center that works to address trauma in her community. I talked to a city employee who uses a motorized wheelchair and wants more bike lanes, because that is where she feels comfortable and safe using the street. 

A week before a public art project that Bikemore commissioned went up along the Big Jump. For a year and a half, neighbors and artists worked to conceptualize and create something that would cause people to slow down and look. 

One of the pieces says “Trust Yourself.” 

In the coming months we will be adding two new staff members so that we can fix more bikes and talk to more neighbors. We’re taking a risk growing our staff, but if the past week taught me anything it’s that fighting City Hall is not enough. We must do more, and for that we need your help.

If you were moved to take action last week, consider donating to Bikemore today.

Our work is about imagining a city where streets are built for people, not cars. We have a long way to go, but I have no doubt we are on the right path. Help us get there. 

We must build streets for people.

Today construction began to modify a half block of the two way protected bike lane at the intersection Monument Street and Central Avenue. This modification was prompted by neighborhood stakeholders that requested 12 parking spaces be restored on the north side of the street. This is a clear violation of the Complete Streets law.

This modification was opposed by the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission through a motion at the meeting this past Wednesday, May 29th. It received the attention and advocacy of State Delegate Robbyn Lewis, who pursued all avenues available and met with key stakeholders, including church leadership. It also garnered 744 letters of opposition to Mayor Young and Frank Murphy, Interim Director of the Department of Transportation. Many alternative designs were suggested that would retain the current design and increase parking near a place of worship, who wanted to ensure their elderly congregants can safely get from their car to the church.

It’s important to note that there were opportunities for compromise that precluded this change in the lane, and even restored additional street parking. Efforts are even underway to assist with negotiating use of a parking lot next door to the church. These alternative solutions were declined by both neighborhood stakeholders and city officials. This was a unilateral decision that did not allow additional stakeholders like Bikemore and the thousands of constituents we represent to have equal consideration.

We are sensitive to the challenges these changes to public spaces face. We understand and want to be respectful and acknowledge that these changes intersect with many other challenges that Baltimore faces, most notably race and class. But these complex issues demand deep reflection and intentional discussions, not knee jerk reactions. Not decisions that leave out the people who stand the most to lose, their safety. That is what occurred here. While this change is small, it has much broader implications. It signifies that that the people that rely on safe places like this bike lane are less important than cars. It puts Baltimore City in jeopardy of losing state and federal funding for transportation, funding that is necessary to continue to design streets for people.

It also sends a clear message to other institutions or groups of people with power who want to oppose changes that make streets safer for everyone, including people driving cars: in order to undo years of planning, millions of dollars of investment, and facilities that serve thousands of residents — all you need to do is call power brokers in city government.

We spent hours at the facility this week observing its use. And we want to make something clear. The loudest voices in bike advocacy aren’t currently representative of our majority black city and certainly not representative of the diverse groups of people that benefit from these lanes. That is something that is problematic and something we are actively working to address. Today we posted three new opportunities of employment at Bikemore, the first time we have had the resources to hire new staff since 2016. Two of these positions will be actively focused on community organizing and outreach across the city in order to lift up the voices often left out of the discussions around Complete Streets. They create an opportunity to build a more diverse workforce. They will also allow us to deliver more programs that do what we feel is the best organizing tool of all, riding bikes together.

We have reached out to the Mayor to request a meeting. While this one section of road is being changed, continuing the conversation about how we move forward to build a city for people is more important than ever. The 744 people that have voiced their opposition to this change deserve an official response.

We also want to make sure people realize our work is ongoing and so much more than the online chatter and news stories that always seem to accompany advocacy actions like this. Tomorrow we will be at the Boundary Block Party in Penn North fixing bikes to get people back on two wheels. We are coordinating with neighbors in Cherry Hill to offer ride support on an upcoming event. We are continuing to work with neighbors in Reservoir Hill and Auchentoroly Terrace to ensure they have the resources available to engage in the traffic study process that will dictate the future of Druid Park Lake Drive. Last Saturday we celebrated the installation of a public art project that was created by artists who reside in Reservoir Hill, artists that were selected by residents of Reservoir Hill.

This is the long slow work of advocacy. It doesn’t make headlines. It doesn’t spark public meetings where emotions run wild. But it is the heart and soul of who we are. We fight because the people that use bike lanes are worth fighting for. They are affordable housing advocates, nurses, City employees, construction workers, restaurant employees, artists, parents shuttling their kids to daycare, senior citizens, the blind, people hauling grocery carts and pushing strollers. It’s a kid learning to ride a bike in a safe space. They are people we know. They are people who pay taxes. They are people that vote. And by way of just being human, they deserve the dignity of using our streets without fear.

We could not do what we do without the support of so many people. Let’s keep our heads up. Let’s keep fighting for streets for people.

ACTION ALERT: Monument Street

Tell Mayor Young to halt deconstruction of a half block of newly installed protected bike lane on Monument Street:

Background

Today the City plans to move forward with the removal and modification of a half block of the Monument Street two-way protected bike lane. Between Aisquith and Central Avenue, DOT will remove the portion of the bike lane dedicated for westbound bike traffic and force riders onto the sidewalk located on the north side, adjacent to Dunbar High School’s fields. This $50,000 change is occurring to restore 12 parking spots on the north side of Monument Street.

Bikemore strongly opposes this removal. For the past six months, when it became clear that the City was moving forward with this change, we repeatedly asked for the designs so we could give feedback. These designs were never made available to either Bikemore or the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Commission despite the multiple requests. No public meetings were held about this change. We first learned of the design and removal timeline on the same day everyone else did: May 15th. Thirteen days ago, one day short of the required 14 days notice.

This is unacceptable, and puts advocates in a position that forces us to be reactive versus collaborative. It is an act of bad faith, and if we are to move forward as a City that values streets designed for people over cars, we need the Department of Transportation to do better.

This change on Monument Street is problematic for a variety of reasons. But the main ones are that it violates the recently adopted Complete Streets law and further prohibits the City’s ability to be awarded state and federal transportation dollars.

The Complete Street law requires the City:

1. Comply with State and Federal funding requirements. Alteration and removal of portions of Monument Street go against the state funded and approved design. Maryland Department of Transportation has said enough is enough, and will not continue to provide grants for complete streets infrastructure in Baltimore as long as we continue to remove or alter those facilities for political reasons.

2. Promote walking, biking, and transit to the greatest extent possible. By forcing bike traffic onto the sidewalk it makes walking and biking on that section of street less safe. It creates conflict between people walking and people biking, and places people biking in a position that makes them less predictable to people driving cars.

3. Ensure equity by actively pursuing the elimination of health, economic, and access disparities. We know that 33% of the city lacks access to a car, and according to census data over 75% of households lack access to a car along the Monument Street corridor where changes are proposed. Removing infrastructure proven to reduce access disparity and improve health outcomes to install parking is deeply inequitable.

Future State and Federal funding is on the line:

The majority of funding that improves walking, biking, and transit in the City comes from State and Federal money. Given the City’s current budget priorities it is unlikely, at least in the short term, that this situation will change. When the City destroys projects constructed with State funds, it is no wonder the State is now looking to other Maryland communities to support over Baltimore. This money doesn’t only fund bike lanes, it can be used to fund recreation trails, bike parking, traffic calming, and a variety of other infrastructure that improves the safety and quality of life of Baltimore City residents.

By deciding to remove this section of Monument Street, the Mayor is sending a message to residents that short term responses to a handful of people complaining about parking is more important than long term investment in transportation for the entire city.

If they care about improved community outreach, if they care about equitable investment in recreation and transportation across all neighborhoods, they will pause the planned deconstruction and respond to our concerns.

There are solutions available to the parking concerns that don’t cost $50K and threaten future state and federal transportation funding. It is a Mayor’s job to consider the entire city and make decisions that are strategic, not reactive. The decision to remove this portion of the bike lane to restore parking is short sighted. It doesn’t matter who put these decisions in motion or that they began prior to Mayor Young taking office. This is ultimately his decision. We believe there is a way for him to bring folks together on this issue. It starts with asking the Department of Transportation to stop the removal today.