In our experience, there was animosity at first, but everyone fills a niche in the bike ecosystem here in Durham.

Best,
Leslie
Durham Bike Coop

On Jun 19, 2014 3:26 PM, "Ron Kellis" <ron.kellis@velocitycoop.org> wrote:

To second Mike, I have a "Two paragraph intro. I give when it's busy and I'm the only one in the coop. The relevant part is: 

We don't compete with the local bike shops and try to maintain a good relationship with them. We only keep basic repair parts in stock, tubes, cables, some tires. For the most part what's needed to keep a bike safe. Anything else you need to go see them. 

So the answer to most "Do you have  . . . ?" retail questions are "Nope, sorry. We aren't a regular bike shop."

I like the "Wear parts." idea. Sums it up well.

If necessary I grab a bike route map and show them where the shops are. 

Ron

On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 2:15 PM, Stephen Andruski <swandruski@gmail.com> wrote:

Its great to hear that a proactive approach worked. That's exactly why I'd like to do the same thing. Building the bike community should help everyone. And I like the idea of making it clear what the co-op does and does not do. I can imagine someone using the co-op to get an old bike back on the road and get back in shape. Then the person finds they're getting more serious and wants a new bike. This benefits the co-op, the commercial bike shop and the cyclist. I also like to think that knowing more about how a bike works and talking to experienced riders makes people smarter shoppers when they do go to the "real" bike shop.

 

Steve Andruski

On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 2:02 PM, Kevin Dwyer <kevidwyer@gmail.com> wrote:

Here in SLC we take a very active approach to engaging the local shops. When our new ED was hired, we toured the local shops to introduce him. We generally pitch the idea that we perform functions that shops can't but, that build a cycling community that the shops depend on. Some examples of programs like that are:

Bicycle valet for events

Used parts for those too poor or bikes too old

Bicycle social events

Bicycle safety and commuter advocacy

Youth and adult mechanics training

As a result, we frequently get valuable donations of parts and tools from these bicycle industry partners. Some shops have a bin they throw old parts in then forward to us. Be clear that you don't buy used parts or bikes and limit sales of new goods to "wear items," and I think you'll be surprised how much support you get. Co-ops/collectives/community shops often provide services that shops rather would not.

We plan to display a directory of local shops (with brands) for those wanting warranty service or seeking goods and services we can't/don't provide.

On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 11:14 AM, mpattisall <mike.pattisall@velocitycoop.org> wrote:

Our Co-op's  former location was less than a block from a real bike shop.  At first the bike shop owner was peeved but soon realized that many of our customers were coming to them for parts we did not have.  Also, the bike shop was sending the co-op customers with bikes that " weren't really worth fixing".  Co-ops and regular bike shops are two different animals and we get along pretty well with the shops near us  ( Spokes, Big Wheel, Bicycle Pro Shop, Performance)

On Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 12:33 PM, Stephen Andruski <swandruski@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm in the process of starting a bike co-op in the Rockville, MD area. Once we are established, I want to go and talk to the managers of the commercial bike shops in the area. Since I can foresee some potential antagonism based on the perception that the co-op will compete with them for repair business, I want to go armed with information. Does anyone know of any studies that show the economic impact of bike co-ops on the commercial shops in the same area? Along the same lines, does anyone have personal experience on the reaction of commercial shops to the start up of a co-op in "their" area? The more specific you can be in the responses, the better, though I can understand if you don't want to throw someone under the bus.

 

Any information would be helpful. We're still a few months away from actually needing this information, but I'd like to be prepared. 

 

Thanks,

 

Steve Andruski

swandruski@gmail.com

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