The Bicycle Works – A Community Hub for Culture and Technology

Bicycle collectives exist in San Francisco, Edinburgh and London, but they haven’t in Marin—until now.

Given The Bicycle Works’ location between two towns, each of which boasts a couple of bicycle shops, one might argue that the need isn’t there. However, the nonprofit organization and retail shop, founded by Jelani Bertoni and Spokey Godfrey, is already teeming with expert volunteers, high schoolers on a community-service mission, people who want to learn how to do their own bike repairs, and even people who hate to get their hands grimy.

“Hey, nothing less than the future of the world is at stake,” says Spokey from his post at the tool stand. Jelani chimes in: “My vision entailed not just a bike shop but a community center. A library. A repair zone. An after-school fix-it club. A place where people can come together and get stuff done.”

The Bicycle Works is where bicycle nuts, devotees and future acolytes meet to repair or rebuild a trusty machine, learn a shortcut to a scary repair, or buy the ultimate Christmas present: freedom. It is open to everyone: errand runners, moms, commuters, students and of course pleasure and fitness riders.

Part of the mission of the nonprofit is to convert the person who never rides into a person who not only rides, but understands just how their bike works and how to repair it. The Bicycle Works is also a place for folks to collaborate on innovative bicycle projects. Spokey Godfrey and Jelani Bertoni both get around by bicycle, and their focus is to inspire an alternative to the car. They have several electric-bike customers already.

“Don’t be shy about checking in,” wrote Jelani. “Our cleverly-placed shop sits right on a six-way intersection with a thousand cars an hour and a couple of dozen bike riders. With the tremendous help of neighbors, friends, members, and volunteers, The Bicycle Works has enjoyed a five-month blast of business that has surprised both founders. We have already definitely become a community resource; however, we still need your support to keep this project afloat.”

MCBC members know that Marin has been successful in launching subtle shifts in cycle policy, education and awareness—not to mention garnering significant coin to help realize long-term safety and access goals. The Bicycle Works is a great project to get behind if bicycle advocacy is in your heart.

What: The Bicycle Works Community Tool Workshop
Where: 1117 San Anselmo Avenue at Yolanda Station
When: Open hours, 11 to 7 Tuesday through Sunday
Why: It hasn’t been done in Marin yet!
Website: http://www.thebicycleworks.org/