|
April
2005 |
|
Getting 'Friendly With Speeders Bike The Drive Expands Minds, Shrinks Waists Caught Red-Handed! Cameras Cut Down Violations Profile: Bike Shop Owners Treat All Bikes Equally Cycling Sisters Seek the Wheel Truth New Events Staff Has Big Plans |
PROFILE: Maria Barnes and Nora Gallagher Uptown Bikes continues to evolve with every passing year. Formerly called Urban Bikes, the small-time, community bike shop with a heavy patina of use is under new leadership. Maria Barnes, new president of Uptown Bikes, Inc., (it was recently incorporated) and manager Nora Gallagher have helped the well-loved shop flourish with the changing needs of their community while still celebrating the original vision: an accessible community bike shop that celebrates all bikes for fun and commuting.
They both see their leadership at Uptown Bikes as an organic labor of love, part of the evolution of what many call a "mom and pop bike shop." The shop started out by rehabilitating abandoned bikes, and still operates on a recycling philosophy established by the original owner, Tim Herlihey. A rich inventory of used and vintage parts has given the shop a loyal following among owners of older bikes and cyclists looking for affordable parts. As a result, Uptown Bikes is an indispensable resource for, say, the woman who needs a cottered crank and can't find it anywhere. "We know most of our customers by their names . . . or faces . . . or at least their bikes," Barnes said. She knows that this is an important part of what keeps people coming back to the shop, which is located 4653 N. Broadway Ave., in Chicago's Uptown Neighborhood. Barnes and Gallagher take pride in the shop's emphasis on practical bicycling. If a customer wants to haul groceries or children or a refrigerator, or if a customer wants to increase their visibility while riding, they're in the right place. Barnes and Gallagher welcome the challenge of customizing parts and providing individualized solutions. Gallagher is that rare mechanic who says that Raleigh 3-speeds and "any Schwinns made in Chicago" are her favorites to lift into the stand for repairs. Whether working on a homemade freak bike or a Lemond Croix de Fer, Barnes and Gallagher pride themselves on a principle of treating all kinds of bikes with equal respect. While their inventory of new and rehabbed bikes and parts strongly leans toward serving commuters, they could never be accused of ignoring the inherent joy in cycling. They go on Friday night bike rides every week, no matter the weather, and they encourage others to do the same. Barnes and Gallagher are committed to connecting with previously untapped arenas of community participation. This is why they host bike mechanic workshops for women and transgender people two nights a month. They have both noticed an increase in female customers since they have taken on more significant leadership positions. They attribute it to their visibility, interest in encouraging customer input and questions, and their ability to make all types of bike riders feel comfortable learning from experienced mechanics. Arline Welty is the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Director of
Corporate and Foundation Relations
|
