Columbus Bicycle Cooperative

Columbus Bicycle Cooperative
Founded	2009
Location	Columbus, Indiana, United States
Language	English; Spanish;
Services Offered	DIY Repair Services; Earn-A-Bike Services; Bicycle Courses; Group Rides;
Mission Statement	The Columbus Bike Co-op is (proposed to be) a non-profit, charitable organization of bicycle users whose mission is to educate and empower the community by providing a welcoming space to learn about bicycles and bicycle repairs, engage in maintenance practices, and promote safe operation through outreach and education.

Columbus Bicycle Cooperative is ... Located in the basement of the Doug Otto United Way Center at 1531 13th Street, the Columbus Bicycle Co-op exists to provide space & resources for community members to learn about & maintain bicycles. Classes, tools, parts, bikes, & work space are available for free or very little cost. Ask about our Earn-a-Bike program!

Bike aficionado volunteers with knowledge of bike mechanics, bike safety, various types of riding, and local routes or trails are there to help you during open hours.

Contact Info

I suppose you could send mail to

Columbus Bicycle Cooperative

c/o Doug Otto United Way Center

1531 13th Street

Columbus Indiana, 47201

Although I don't think we've ever received any mail. We're on Facebook

History

Way back, Loran and J-Boy started in somebody's garage; somebody needs to fill in more here because I wasn't around! Then the co-op moved to a rented 1/2 garage off the alley next to Bicycle Station. No heat, no a/c, and so little space we had to move the inventory out in the yard each day before working. But it was very approachable by neighborhood kids because we had the overhead door open and often worked outside. Then in early 2010 we moved into the basement of the United Way Center, increasing our space by about a billion percent, added heat, air conditioning, free furniture courtesy of UW, and even restrooms upstairs. A bunch of Loren's friends and others volunteered to move stuff, clean the new place, scrape paint, build work benches, and generally build a new shop. Some awesome murals were painted on the walls, and we were in business. We're not as approachable as the old shop, but we have more space and can stay open all winter.

Through 2010 and 2011, the cooperative exists under the umbrella of Healthy Communities. In October 2011, the cooperative formed a board and elected officers, taking the first steps toward existing as a separate non-profit entity.

Services Offered

Earn-A-Bike program for people of all ages Stand-time to fix your own bike, plus use of tools and expert volunteer advice, for a small donation Shop bikes available for a cash donation, built by our volunteers from donated bikes Classes on bike maintenance and other bike related subjects Parts to pick from, for donations

Summer Hours

Sunday 12pm-3pm

Monday/Wednesdays 6pm - 9pm

Winter Hours

Monday 6pm-9pm (Classes)

Wednesday 5pm-8pm