Community Bike Shops - Part 1

Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit a handful of community bike shops around the United States. This is a series of posts to show the ones I've seen first-hand, even if I stopped by when they were closed.

Community bike shops (also called community bike projects or co-ops) tend to be non-profit organizations with brick-and-mortar locations that serve the specific bicycling needs of a community. Some have large budgets and paid staff, others are completely volunteer-run. Most shops have a mission statement, which is the best way to learn about what they do and how they operate.

The general model:

• Reduce the barriers of entry to cycling by taking donated bicycles and parts to be salvaged, rebuilt, and sold at very affordable prices;
• Empower people with knowledge of how to repair and maintain their own bikes with either classes or DIY shop space and tool libraries;
• Most shops host events; either for fun, education, or fund-raising; 
• From my experience, they also function as safe spaces for people to hang-out.

The shops I've been to are geographically distant from one another, but the similarities are evident. I highly recommend seeking out a co-op bike shop in your neighborhood or the next time you are traveling. Supporting them with a purchase or donation is a great way to share the love of bikes with others.

2nd Cycle Community Cycle Center 
Tacoma, WA

Mission Statement: "To demystify and normalize bike riding as a part of daily life, and realize the bicycle as tool for personal and community empowerment."

Here in Tacoma we are fortunate to have 2nd Cycle, a non-profit community bike shop that has been operating for about 10 years in the Hilltop neighborhood. The folks at 2nd Cycle have really opened my eyes to the added value a co-op shop brings to a community.

They have had to relocate three times over the years, mostly for reasons of growth. They had humble beginnings in a small room off an alley behind a Vietnamese restaurant, but they are currently in their largest space yet with retail, DIY shop space, and warehousing all happening under one roof. They have a large stock of used bikes and parts, as well as new parts and accessories. For a small fee, cyclists can gain access to the shop space, which includes repair stands, tools, reference books, and knowledgeable volunteers and staff who can help guide you through a repair or maintenance project. 

As a shop founded by folks in their late 20s, 2nd Cycle has always had a youthful, vibrant atmosphere. I've watched neighborhood kids grow up with the shop, kids who started just hanging-out there after school and on weekends. They are now trained volunteers who are taking on leadership roles to organize alley cat races and cycling teams, donating their time and energy to the shop. 2nd Cycle regularly offers youth programming including Summer Camps and an Earn-a-Bike program where kids learn the basics of bicycle mechanics and earn the bike they build. They also work with the Pierce County Juvenile Court to offer a diversion program to youth, giving them a chance to learn bike maintenance skills. 

Also, it can't go unsaid that in a male-dominated industry, it's refreshing and awesome to find two women, both certified bike mechanics, wrenching on bikes when you wander in. Shelbi and Emily host a twice-monthly WTF Night, inviting womxn, trans, femme, non-binary folx to come together and use the shop. This is just one example of the inclusivity found on a daily basis at 2nd Cycle.

The DIY empowerment philosophy of 2nd Cycle shines through in their artwork as well. Nearly every poster or t-shirt design has been created in-house by staff members. There is often an art+bike connection in co-op shops and 2nd Cycle is no exception.

There have been many official (and many more unofficial) events hosted by 2nd Cycle over the last decade. The nearly-annual Bike Jump fund-raising event features local legend Gaylen Turner riding his trusty bmx bike through a giant neon sign of his own creation. Other one-off events like the Worksman Criterium have given a breath of vitality to vacant lots in the area.

The shop has also played host to numerous Kidical Mass Tacoma rides. Following a ride through the Hilltop Neighborhood and some playtime at McCarver Park, 100 riders returned to the shop to watch local family rock band Pig Snout! play a massively loud show. Yes, the shop even doubles as a part-time venue for local musicians and fund-raising parties. It's a pretty rad place.

Stay tuned for the next installment as we check out more community bike projects!