We're in Ottawa, lots of snow and salt but streets quickly cleared. We're open year-round but do scale our hours back a bit. Last winter I think we had maybe three nights in total where we had no visitors, otherwise there's always someone coming in.

The road salt means you've got to stay on top of maintenance, so winter cyclists (which includes a good chunk of our staff) love having a warm place to do this messy work. Not to mention access to cheap parts to keep one's winter steed running.

The colder weather is also when we get caught up on our backlog and get bikes ready for Spring, as during the busy season the DIYers take up most of our time.

Mark Rehder - Coordinator
re-Cycles Community Bike Shop

On 2012-10-17, at 2:27 PM, Matt VanSlyke wrote:

These are great tips, particularly since I'm in the "exploratory phase" of starting a community shop here in New York state. We have a few good models, obviously one of them being Troy/Albany. 

Bicycling and bicycle retail in NY is somewhat seasonal, but I wonder if the work of community bike shops is too. I assume the answer I'll hear is "I wish I could take a break in the winter..." But maybe not. Is this a seasonal operation for those of you in the snow belt?

Matt V.

On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:57 PM, Nancy Stimson <freewheelinbikes@gmail.com> wrote:

I would make funding a director a really, really high priority.


Nancy Stimson, Executive Director

Freewheelin' Community Bikes
3355 Central Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46205

Earn-a-Bike program:
317-431-7951

Retail shop:
Phone:  926-5440
Hours:  10-6, Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 on Saturday
CLOSED Sunday and Monday


On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:24 AM, Stewart Vanns <stewartvanns@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,
We are in the process of setting up a community cycle project in south east London, Uk.

I just wondered if you guys & gals could pop down 3 top tips you learnt in your set up phase to help us avoid the common pitfalls.

We are planning to build a not for profit enterprise, with a 5 year business plan, focusing on recycling donated bikes, repairing bikes and doing this with young people and young adults.

The bikes will be given to trainees or sold very cheaply to local residents of low income.

We also plan to do outreach work at local schools to educate children in basic cycle maintenance.

We have funding, a venue and a steady flow of interested people.

Thanks in advance,

Stewart
Burgess community cycleworks.

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