Bike Coop in Rockville, MD/Montgomery County – interest?

[swandruski]

Hi, my name is Steve Andruski and I’m a bike repair addict. It’s been 30+ years since I paid someone else to work on my bike(s).

I’m a member of the Rockville Bike Advisory Committee (RBAC) and the idea of a Bike Coop in the Rockville area came up at a meeting a few months ago. Recently, this came up again on the RBAC listserv and I figured it was a sign. The idea of a Bike Coop has been kicking around in my mind for a while, and I know there have to be others interested in starting one. For those unfamiliar with Bike Coops/Collectives, there are several different non-profit “business models” used, but the basic idea is a community bike shop where people can come to learn how to fix and maintain their bikes. Some of these are all volunteer with some kind of membership or fee structure for use of the space. Others have a charitable portion to their mission, usually helping disadvantaged youth.

My main interest is in teaching people how to fix and maintain their bikes. I’m willing to spearhead the startup and I’d like to get together with people with an interest in helping to get this off the ground. If it evolves into something with more of a charitable angle, that’s fine, but it has to start somewhere.

If you are in the Rockville/Montgomery County area, and want to be involved, email me and let me know if how you’d like to help. You don’t have to be an experienced mechanic. Other skills are needed behind the scenes. Also, if you just have ideas about what you want out of a Coop like this, that’s fine too. I’m tentatively using the name “Rockville Bike Hub” (catchy, ain’t it!). Email me with that in the subject line and I’ll know its related to this idea.

Thanks.

Steve Andruski
swandruski@gmail.com

Topic

[dasgeh]

I can think of two successful models of bike coops:

1) Phoenix Bikes – you could reach out to your safe routes to schools person, girl and boy scout troops, 4H troops (if you’ve those), church youth groups, and other youth organizations to get kids involved. Even if you don’t start whole hog with the “earn a bike” program, you could at least teach them, and get some willing students and future teachers. It’s great publicity and you may get some parents tagging along.

2) Parties/events for specific populations – I believe a couple coops around the region are hosting women-focused nights and Spanish speaking events. Those seem to be popular.

Good luck!

[cvcalhoun]

There are actually several bike coops in the DC Metro area, although none near Rockville. WABA has some links. I’d potentially be interested in using a bike coop if one were formed in this area. (Unlike the existing bike coops, Rockville would be easy to get to by Metro if my bike were not rideable due to the need for repairs.) Unfortunately, my schedule at this point is such that I couldn’t be a regular volunteer.

[swandruski]

Thanks for the responses and ideas. I’ve been in contact with the director of Bikes for the World, who has space here in Rockville and helped with Phoenix Bikes. There may be opportunities for resource sharing with them if this gets off the ground. I’ve also talked with a founder of Gearing Up. Their business model is different from what I was envisioning, but as I said in my original post, this could evolve differently based on people’s interest and motivations. Starting as a simple volunteer-based coop/community bike shop similar to Velocity in Arlington is the most likely scenario.

Based on the responses I have so far, I’m hoping to send out an email next week to everyone who’s contacted me with some updates and to try and arrange a meeting after the 4th of July. Again, if you’re interested in being part of this effort, email me with the subject “Rockville Bike Hub” and I’ll put you on the list for the organizational meeting.

Steve Andruski
swandruski@gmail.com

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