Mechanarchy only operates within a 100 Km radius of Clunes in Central Victoria, Australia.
This includes the Towns and surrounding areas of Clunes, Creswick, Ballarat, Learmonth, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Castlemaine, Newstead, Carisbrook, Maryborough, Dunolly, Avoca, Amphitheatre, Lexton, Evansford, Majorca and Talbot.
I do not own a car, so all of my work and travel involves the use of a specially designed Cargo Bicycle, on which I carry Tools, Spare Parts and Equipment. I also use this bicycle to deliver the things I make, like Bicycle Trailers, Bicycle Rear Pannier Racks, Solar Cookers, Solar Wall Heaters and, I even pick up and deliver bikes on the back of the Cargo Bike. Any new spare parts I buy are sent to me by Australia Post, which requires a 30 Km round bicycle trip to the Local Post Office.
I purposefully limit my area of operation, not just because of the obvious difficulties of traveling further by bike, but also because it helps enormously to minimise my Environmental Footprint.
It is becoming increasingly clear from the recent floods in Queensland and Central Victoria, that things in our Global Environment are going more than a little 'pear shaped'.
Mechanarchy has been operating for around 2 years, and as time has gone by, it has been becoming increasingly obvious that I was reaching a fork in the road, a decision that needed to be made as to whether I became yet another 'Bike Shop', buying large amounts of newly produced and imported products from 'Low Wage' overseas Manufacturing Plants or whether I went back to my original intentions of running the place on sound Environmental and Social Justice Practices.
This new web site is the result of that decision.
These people are all working hard to not only bring about a much better World, but are demonstrating that it can be done through their own daily actions and by leading by example.
This, for me, continues to provide enormous inspiration, and I thank them sincerely.
This returning also came about through a process of continuously challenging my own Hypocrisies, and finding solutions to them, something which, will be never ending.
If you would like to know more about the Principles that Mechanarchy operates by, I have listed my Guiding Principles below. Or if you would like to get in contact with any of my many inspirational friends, you will find them on the Mechanarchy Links page.
Cheers
Andy
The Mechanarchy Guiding principles:
1) I live what I do, no ifs, no buts. Bicycles, walking and the very, very occassional use of Public Transport are my only forms of transport.
2) I earn only enough to sustain me, in wholesome home grown food, collected rainwater, adequate shelter and simple clothes, and so, whilst I respect the right of other businesses to pursue growth, I choose to focus on balance and equity.
3) I adhere firmly to non-exploitative Social relationships, encouraging Mutual Aid wherever possible.
4) I am a 'War Tax Resister', meaning that I legally limit my annual income to that of the Australian Tax Free Threshold. When I have reached my income threshold for the year, I will respectfully decline any more work until the following year.
5) I re-use and re-furbish high quality second hand components wherever I can and in those cases where it is absolutely necessary, I supply only high quality long lasting new products, sourced from Australian or Fair Trade Manufacturers.
6) I place the Natural Environment at the centre of all of my actions, what I do is constantly measured against the impact it has and changed as I learn.
7) I take great pride in my work and as such, I guarantee you that your job will always take a hell of a lot longer to complete than most other bicycle repair shops. At Mechanarchy; I'm into personal attention, not high volume. Much of my equipment is manually operated, from Drill Presses and Hand Drills to Bench Grinders, they're not as fast but then again, neither are bicycles when compared to cars!
8) If the repair on your Bicycle is deemed by another Bike Shop as Un-Economical or, if at my rate of $15.00 per hour it is obvious that it would become un-economical to repair it, I will reduce my labour repair bill in order to make it economical.
9) I use only high quality long lasting tools and equipment in my workshop, most are re-furbished from years gone by and others new. I are meticulous in looking after them as well as maintaining the cleanliness of my workspace thereby ensuring the maximum care of your bicycle. You will never be charged for time spent 'Looking for Tools'.
10) I use only Non-Toxic, Natural and Bio-Degradeable cleaning agents and my workshop is Solar Powered. At this stage, I use small amounts of Petroleum based grease and oil, but I am continuing to seek out alternatives wherever possible.
11) I want everyone to ride bicycles and experience the wonder of re-connecting with Nature and themselves.
12) I am dedicated to understanding my own Energy use and to how I can minimise it and then use it more efficiently and effectively.
13) All Bicycles that are donated to Mechanarchy are immediately placed undercover no matter what condition they are in, in order to ensure that they do not deteriorate further. All bicycles are then stripped down into individual parts and placed in the Mechanarchy Workshop Storeroom.
14) I challenge, every single day, my own Hypocrisies and I find solutions to them.