Saturday, May 12, 2012

National Bike to Work Day, May 18: A Bike Wichita Press Release

May 18th is a big day for cycling in Wichita considering we will be hosting our open house and it is also National Bike to Work Day. Bike Wichita has organized a Commuter challenge to help bring awareness to commuting options (or some may say "lack thereof") within Wichita. Below is their press release describing the event:

Wichita, KS – Commuting to work by bus, car or bicycle is relatively easy in Wichita. Or is it? The Commuter Challenge will pit Jemelle Holopirek from KAKE, Kara Sewell from KWCH and Emily Deaver from KSCW against one another in a challenge to see who can arrive at City Hall first, using the bus, a car and a bicycle.  All three-television personalities will begin at Panera Bread Company at Hillside and Central at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, May 18, National Bike to Work Day. The destination is the City’s Law Enforcement Memorial at Central and Main, where City leaders will hold a press conference to analyze the various mode of transportation within the city. The community is invited to attend.

This event is put together to celebrate the bicycle, after-all it is National Bike to Work Day. More importantly, however, this event brings awareness to the community that there are various forms of transportation within our city and that bicycling is not only great for fun and recreation, but it is a perfect mode of transportation.

Naturally, we at The Bike Cave will be rooting for the cyclist, but not without much love to all three women for their generous involvement. Of course, members of the bike cave would love to throw out some tips: Firstly, don't be afraid to ride on the street! Not only is it faster, but cars are more of your presence than they would be if you were on the side walk, so in many aspects, it's safer. Secondly, wear a helmet and ride with confidence! With a little gusto, a cyclist is perfectly capable of beating a car from Hillside and Central to downtown Wichita. It's all downhill, baby. Of course, always remember to obey traffic rules and use hand signals. Now for some fast facts included in the press release:

Bicycling is for everyone. 15% of the U.S. population rides a bicycle making it the second most popular outdoor activity in the US. Bicycling is fun, healthy and smart.

Bicycling is the ideal way to take short trips. Most trips Americans make are less than 3 miles. With the price of gas and parking concerns bicycling just makes sense.
Bicycling can improve your health. Adults who bike to work have better weight, blood pressure and overall health and children who bike are less likely to be overweight as adults.
Bicycling is less expensive than driving. The average households spend nearly $9,000 on car payments and vehicle operating expenses per year. Just one round trip commute of 10 miles saves the bicyclist around $10.00 a day.
Bicycling reduces road congestion and air pollution. For every 1 mile pedaled rather than driving, nearly 1 pound of CO2 is saved.
Bicycling is safe, and together we can make it safer. The health benefits of bicycling outweigh the risks of bicycling. The more people who ride, the safer bicycling becomes. Both motorists and bicyclist can exist on the same road.

Still not interested? How about for a free lunch? In addition, all bicycle commuters are invited to the Old Town Plaza (near the Warren Theater) on Friday, May 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., grub provided by Jimmy Johns.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Bike Month 2012 PSA

Our first day at The Bike Cave was a joyful success brimming with energy, curious patrons, and a busy cash register. Let's hope that this is an indication of business to come and that our beginning years will not be as brutal as our neuroses envisions it to be. Day 2 has been partially spent giving our blog a face lift (complete with gigantic title logo, an update of authors, and a correctly listed address).



We are now three days into Bike Month and there is much to be excited for. Like what? I'm glad you asked. How about this PSA video that featuring Mayor Carl Brewer? Click the video below and enjoy informative content about Bike Wichita:




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Learn more about the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan, bike routes in Wichita, regulations about riding your bike in traffic, and scheduled meetings.


Click the KSN news link for the latest news on Wichita's Bicycle Master plan and comments from the members of the community, including Wichita bicycle club, The Coasters. 


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Bike Cave is now officially open at its new location: 115 1/2 S Pattie

We are finally open! Today marks our first official day of business at our new 115 1/2 S Pattie location. We are nestled comfortably between Notes and Noises (we are part of their shop space) and Red Sea Tattoo. At 11:11am this morning we received our first sale and we couldn't be happier.




The shop looks absolutely fantastic with its color coded benches and tools and a fresh tire rack and tables made especially for us by Mr. Aaron Rivers. Our first day felt hopeful with friends stopping by to check out the shop and a mention in the Wichita Eagle by Carrie Rengers. Check out her blog write up in the business section  here or scroll down to read a brief excerpt of the article at the end of this entry.


Wichitawesome work benches: tables made by Aaron Rivers, model: David




The "yellow bench" with tools and a picture of our tire rack by Aaron Rivers, new and used tires



Merchandise!


Father and son, Michael and Tom James talk shop. Most dogs welcome.


Thanks to our readers for all of their support and for simply following the progression we've made. Please come by the shop, say hello, and give us some work to do. We'll teach you all you need to know about bikes in return. 

Excerpt from the Wichita Eagle:

Bike Cave comes out of the basement into its own space

WICHITA — The Bike Cave, which Michael James started a few years back in his College Hill basement and garage, is going mainstream with its own place.
“It’s always been the long-term goal to get to where we’re in a retail space,” James says.
The shop opens Wednesday in part of the Notes and Noises record shop on Pattie just south of Douglas Avenue.
The Bike Cave is a nonprofit organization that exists to promote biking and help more people do it through economical repairs.
Bike owners can pay $5 to rent bench space and specialized tools to fix their own bikes, or they can hire someone at the shop.
“We’re not trying to steal business from any of the retail shops,” James says.
He says a lot of shop owners are supportive of the Bike Cave.
“We’re really trying to exist for people who aren’t riding but maybe could be,” James says.

Read more here: http://blogs.kansas.com/haveyouheard/2012/05/01/bike-cave-comes-out-of-the-basement-into-its-own-space/#storylink=cpy