Development Threatens Bike Shop

Linda Blake is currently enrolled in the journalism transfer degree program at Whatcom Community College. She hopes to use journalism to benefit organizations that promote our environment. This is her first published piece.

The Hub Community Bicycle Co-op (The Hub), a Bellingham landmark that makes a statement about living lightly on the planet, is facing possible relocation due to a big developer’s interest in their location. Kyle Morris, director of operations for eight years, expressed concern about a setback in The Hub’s operation if a move becomes a reality. The current location at 903 ½ North State Street is ideal for a community bike shop as it is accessible from the Interurban Trail just before it crosses Wharf Street (for bicyclers) and from North State Street just past Chestnut Street.

Although, from Kyle’s point of view, the real loss would be the relationships with clients and surrounding businesses that have been carefully nurtured over the years of doing business on North State Street.

The Hub is a subsidiary of ‘The Pedal Project’—a bike advocacy program that supplied free ‘yellow bikes’ for public use in Bellingham—and has been operating at its present location for three years. Unlike any other bike shop, The Hub Community Bicycle Co-op, also called The Hub Community Bike Shop, is a totally nonprofit, member-supported, collectively run and volunteer-staffed organization that promotes alternative transportation and building community.

The Hub uses recycled bicycles and parts to make safe, affordable transportation for every age group. In addition to sales of reconditioned bikes, the shop offers a self-service repair area, bicycle library, professional service tune-ups and repairs, used parts for sale and offers programs that provide maintenance and safety education.

Their emphasis is making bicycling affordable and accessible to low-income people as well as to others, and donations and bartering are very much part of the scene. The Hub partners with several community outreach programs that involve donation of bicycles to low-income families and individuals, educational school visits and the annual Bike to Work and School Day pancake feed.

Kyle Morris, shop manager and director of operations, says, “Cycling is fun, efficient, economical, ecological and social—the social impact standing out as the most important factor. Advocating for the sustainable use of bicycles has the power to bring individuals closer to one another. Cycling brings humans into their physical environment creating an awareness of each other and the natural world.”

The Hub’s focus on recycled and utilitarian bicycle transportation for everyone in need is only part of the philosophy that is the driving force behind the dedicated volunteer staff. The entire staff believes in the shop’s credo of minimal environmental impact to ensure quality of life and to preserve the earth’s precious resources. As Kyle suggests, it’s a way of giving back to the neighborhood. It’s no accident that the word community follows The Hub—in name and deed.

Overdevelopment may deprive Bellingham of the soul and character that organizations like The Hub provide if allowed to run unchecked. It is possible to get involved in your community and safeguard The Hub Community Bicycle Co-op. This is how you can help:

The Hub Community Bicycle Co-op is a valuable component of Bellingham’s identity and a strong advocate of living lightly on the planet to preserve our earth. This is a unique way to support a local nonprofit organization and philosophy of environmental awareness while having fun meeting people and learning about bicycles at the same time!

For additional information about The Hub Community Bicycle Co-op:

•please call 255-2072 (hours are seasonal and subject to change)

•e-mail: thehub@openaccess.org

•drop in at 903½ North State Street. §

Whatcom Watch will continue to monitor The Hub’s struggle to confront the threat of possible relocation with additional updates in future issues.