Getting Up and Pedaling

Welcome to the first post for our blog that will document the up and coming of Spearfish's new bicycle cooperative. We were started with a grant from a group called Focus the Nation. Focus the Nation is a youth oriented Nonprofit organization based out of Portland, Oregon that is dedicated to community based clean energy. For more information visit their website at www.focusthenation.org.

Over the next several months we will be getting our shop location up and running, raising community awareness, hosting workshops, and building more bicycle culture in Spearfish.

Inquiring minds may be asking just what a bicycle cooperative is. Traditionally Bicycle co-ops function as a place where community members can learn to maintain and repair their own bicycle. Coops are generally run by volunteers and are supported solely by donation and fundraising. They also work to distribute bicycles to people in need of a bike and they encourage bicycle involvement within the community.

In the last two days we've managed to get the space cleaned up a little as well as throw a new coat of paint on the walls and floor. People are already coming by to help out and give some community support. The basic bike tools are on their way and should be here Friday, which should be the same day we start moving in some of the bike parts we have accumulated.

If anyone is interested in helping out or otherwise lending a hand, our shop is at 727 North Ames in the old machine shop across from Sanford's. No set schedule yet, but check here as we get things going or send a line to spearfishbikecoop@gmail.com and we can work something out.

Jeremy Smith and John Williams