Where are the bike shop deserts in Ann Arbor?

[Pieter Kleymeer]

http://gridchicago.com/2012/can-bike-shop-deserts-be-eradicated-on-chicagos-south-side/

I thought this article did a nice job of raising the question: what can community-oriented bike groups do for underserved areas? This made me think, what more can Common Cycle do to help the entire community? Focusing our efforts at the Artisan market has been great for a number of reasons, but what if we took one Sunday each month to go visit an underserved neighborhood? Where would we start? Do we have any connections we could use to establish credibility with people in those neighborhoods?

Just thinking outloud,

Piet

[Bill Merrill]

Made me want to draw a map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
213292452911495163154.0004c1698341e17e0605f

There are some obvious gaps, but they might also be related to Ann Arbor's zoning plans as well.

-Bill

[Benjamin Schultz]

Easy click link: http://goo.gl/maps/t5F8

I was excited to read this: http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/local-bike-shop-signs-deal-to-take-over-downtown-ann-arbor-storefront/ 

It'll be really great to get a nice shop somewhere in downtown. It says in the article that he'll be focused on tri/road bikes, but I'm hopeful they'll be welcoming to the commuting population as well.

[Kaden A. Milkovich]

I'm still sad that two wheel vacated the shop local on hoover.  That old Purchase Radio supply building would be a great building for a shop or my personal favorite, a bike bar.

-Kade

--
Kaden

[Brian Genisio]

Yeah, he is very welcoming and friendly to commuters.  I have needed two quick repairs on my commuter bike and he was more than happy to get me in and out very quickly. Only charged me $10 each time (which I think was too little).

His bikes are gorgeous, but not in the realm of bikes I am likely to buy any time soon... though he does have a couple of nice looking CX bikes...  

Brian

On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 10:27 AM, Benjamin Schultz <benjamin....@gmail.com> wrote:

[Brian Genisio]

I know that the Two Wheel on Packard is looking to move to the Burns Park area.  From this map, I can see why.

Brian

On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 10:08 AM, Bill Merrill <bi...@monkey.org> wrote:

[Nick Durrie]

Hi Commoners,

This question from Piet prompted me to mention that on the evening of Thursday, June 19 there is the opening of a new Farmer's Market at Buhr Park.  It is being organized by an energetic group (including diehard urban bicycle matriarch Jeannine Palms)  who want to spread some of A2's wholesome food bounty towards the Southside.  The hope is that it will evolve into a weekly family focused event around the Cobblestone Farmhouse with foodcarts, kid friendly events/music as well as market farmers's offerings.  Carisa and I want to do what we can to encourage the neighborhoods around Platt, Packard and beyond to get there by BIKE.  So maybe there is a place for CC there.  I may even have to become a trailer puller for this- how does one joint the Union?  

-nick d.

[Benjamin Schultz]

Nick,

It'd be great to have the CC tools in use outside of Kerrytown! If you'd like to haul once to Kerrytown to get the hang of it, just volunteer in one of the upcoming weeks (or you can take my place on the trip home this week). 

We'd have to chat some more about how setting up twice weekly would work since we're kind of lean on volunteers (but growing!). Hopefully, setting up in a new part of town would attract a different crowd to volunteer. 

Ben

[Nick Durrie]

Thanks Ben,

I don't know if I can do the Sunday haul yet, but will if I can.  I hope to gather a volunteer or two from this southside neighborhood if the market takes off.  Also, the event is Tuesday the 19th, not Thursday as I previously wrote.

-nick

[jimmyrigged]

what time is the tuesday night buhr park farmers market?

[Pieter Kleymeer]

I'd like to try out the Cobblestone farm market next week with one trailer. I'll haul - anyone want to join me over there?

-Piet

On Fri, Jun 15, 2012 at 9:57 AM, Jonny <j55l...@gmail.com> wrote:

Cobble Stone Market starts June 19 until Nov., Tuesday evenings 4-7p.

[Jonny]

I have been working trying to do something exactly like this already in my neighborhood.  I just did an event in May which Common Cycle came over to help with (you can ask Ben he was there) and am actively pursuing doing more bike (and non bike) related programs to undeserved kids.

 

If you are interested, let me know.  I'll let you know what I'm doing.

 

Jonny

[jimmyrigged]

wanted to help so badly with cobblestone farm since it's a stones throw from my house. but, i'll be at the shop.

[Pieter Kleymeer]

back to Bill's map... can someone be savvy and overlay the NY Times income distribution map for Ann Arbor onto Bill's bike shop map?

NYT map: http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer?view=incomedist&lat=42.2808&lng=-83.743&l=12

On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 10:08 AM, Bill Merrill <bi...@monkey.org> wrote:

[Nick Durrie]

I will be there Piet, with Carisa and girls of course, but I can help out as much as practical.  

-nick

[Jayanthi Reddy]

another thing to think about (maybe particularly in a place like A2 that's so small and average incomes might fluctuate more rapidly over a smaller distance traveled) is that even if there are bike shops a mile or two away from some parts of town, affordability might still be an issue.  And other barriers like a lack of bicycling infrastructure and culture (i.e. "i don't see as many people who look like me, or that i know, riding their bikes for transportation", and "it's scary to ride down Washtenaw", etc.)  setting up the MRS in other parts of town sounds like a great idea.  also, i'd love to hear about other stuff you all are planning on doing Jonny--the UTC event was alot of fun.

jayanthi

[Jonny]

Agreed.  The MRS is such a phenomenal success and a lot more people could benefit from it easily.  What you said above (don't see as many people who look like me riding their bikes for transportation", and "it's scary to ride down Washtenaw", etc.) I very much agree with.  Bringing the MRS out to areas where people don't have as much positive biking input could make a huge difference with a small effort.

 

Jayanthi, I'll send you a email about all the cool events going on.  I'm glad you have fun, I was really happy that you made it.  I plan on doing the UTC event again so watch out :)