Loaner bikes 4 travelers

Thread started by
marino at 11.18.08 - 6:24 pm
I recently joined
http://www.couchsurfing.comand while I can't provide a couch for every person who asks me at least I can take them to some bike rides.
This is a call for Midnight Ridazz Ambassadors and a foreign relations "committee". :-)
There are young visitors coming to our town from other countries and it would be good if we had people who:
- Could loan them bikes
- Stay with them during the ride to make sure they don't get lost
- Help them return the bikes to their rightful owners.
Is this too much babysitting?
I have two loaner bikes I can put into use but I would only want to do it every now and then. Anyone else interested want to share?
Shall we donate money or parts or frames to a few permanent loaner bikes available at the bike coops?
The bikes would be loaned with a cash deposit.
Maybe a drivers license or passport would be required and they would only be available to out of towners.
Am I crazy? A socialist? Is this a politcal thread? I <3 bikes and visitors.
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I'm down with socialism.
And weren't you the one bumping Amy Winehouse at the banana ride?
la duderina11.18.08 - 6:31 pm
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great idea. i'd take people on rides!
i should update my profile on couchsurfing respectively..
ioioio11.18.08 - 6:33 pm
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The bikerowave at one point rented out a bike to a traveler.
As to the continual loaning/renting you should check with other volunteers at the Bikerowave. Specifically the board, aka the group of doom. They probably will tell you they are too busy, or something to push out the idea of creating community, as it doesn't fit in with the current transition into a bikeshop that no one gets paid at. It's pretty awesome.
...I mean....
Still talking to the Bikerowave would probably prove beneficial as someone would be interesting in helping I'm sure.
Jaz11.18.08 - 8:04 pm
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There are about 8 million bike rental places on/around Venice Beach where you can rent a bike for a day or two, that are open a lot more hours than any of the bike coops, if you need a bike on the Westside.
There are a lot of bike shops that rent bikes elsewhere in town as well.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GFRC_enUS208US208&q=los+angeles+bike+rental
If you need a bike short-term, it's not that hard to find one in L.A.
JB11.18.08 - 8:24 pm
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i got a mountain bike that needs a slight repair
and an old trek bike
that could be borrowed when i get a new bike
and i'm down for babysitting
:]
aksendz11.18.08 - 8:26 pm
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Yeah! I'm on couchsurfing.com - so far I've stayed at a few places, had a few people stay with me - usually good times/people.
I have a beachcruiser and a fixed gear for loan, as long as I get some sort of assurance that I'll get them back in more or less the same shape.
Rich
richbell11.19.08 - 8:12 am
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@la duderina, YES. Say hello next time, I can't align your online/offline personalities.
@JB... "eight billion bike rental places" with prices at $10/hr or $25-30/day like this one
http://danielsbikerentals.com/is a bit steep for couchsurfers. Also night rides would be a two day rental ie $50-60 bucks. Not very cs traveler friendly.
Zoobombers for instance
have a pile of loaner bikes chained on a sidewalk at the corner they meet each Sunday. Yes these are just $5 thriftstore 16" wheelers meant to go only downhill but who says we can't do better in LA?
In any case I understand it's the host's responsibility to find bikes for his/her guests but it would be nice if the bike co-ops kept a couple of beaters as low cost loaners. And thanks to all who offered bikes already.
marino11.19.08 - 3:36 pm
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I DID say hello!! lol
That was actually my first MR ride and I remember riding up as fast as possible to you and thanking you for playing Amy!!! It seriously made the night for me...I'm just a little obsessed with her.
la duderina11.19.08 - 4:26 pm
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....and I haven't seen you since then. I saw your pic and remembered your awesome beard.
la duderina11.19.08 - 4:32 pm
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