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​Discover the joy of bike commuting
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Bikes, coffee, apparel and more: Heritage Bicycles

7/21/2015

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Heritage Bicycles Chicago Commuting
Tell us about the name Heritage Bicycles.
Our owner Michael Salvatore is a fifth-generation Chicagoan. After living in New York and working at the start-up bike store Bowery Lane Bicycles, he moved back to Chicago to raise a family. He wanted to bring back the idea of what he was doing in New York and honor his family heritage here in Chicago. And the types of bikes we make reflect this. We are not making modern, fancy racing bikes. Instead our bikes are inspired by the classic proven models from Schwinn and Raleigh, but with a new, retro approach. 
As I waited on a Thursday morning a steady stream of customers trickled into the shop. Some regulars, others first-time visitors looking for a unique coffee experience. New bikes were interspersed with tables and a counter with delicious-looking pastries. In the rear was the service center in its own room, and out back was a picnic table and chairs underneath a tree canopy. What a unique vibe for a bike shop! As the music played softly in the background, I sat down with store manager Alan Gagne to learn more about Heritage Bicycles.

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A bike shop that comes to you: Pedal to the People

7/11/2015

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Bike Shop Mobile Repairs Chicago
Founder and CEO Adam Clark with his mobile bike shop.
I met recently with Adam Clark, Founder and CEO of Pedal to the People. A strong advocate for biking, Adam founded Pedal to the People in 2009. His innovative approach to a bike shop is the Uber for bike repairs - instead of customers coming to the shop, he comes to you!  Here are some excerpts from the interview...

Tell us about Pedal to the People
Many people in the city don't ride a bicycle because they are afraid. We try to overcome that by going directly to the people, like a doctor coming to your house. By showing up for people, we are trying to help them feel more comfortable and lead by example. We also help them become more comfortable with their bike. We show them how to make it work.

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What services do you provide?
People ask where is the shop? The mobile shop has everything we need to service a bike. If we need something special we can order it. We do fleet repair, especially for people working in buildings in the loop. We come out to people to provide road side assistance such as fixing a flat. We also teach classes. 

Why did you start Pedal to the People?
We are dedicated to the freedom and mobility made accessible by the bicycle. I've had a passion for the bicycle since I was a kid, I wanted to have a deeper connection with the people riding the bikes and why they were 

Bike Repair Chicago
Who are your customers?
We help all ages and types of people. In fact, our customers are everyone but the stereotypical bike racer. 

What is the best way to connect with you?
Visit our Facebook page  

What is your favorite bike?
You really can't be happy unless you have seven bikes! I have four ride-able ones and I like them all!


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Sharing the Road 

7/1/2015

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A bike commuter almost hit me yesterday morning. As I was crossing the street in River North, the rider, who was on a shared bike, blasted through the red light startling myself and two other pedestrians. He missed us by inches, never bothering to slow down or let anything get in his way. I shook my head and muttered "idiot" to myself.  As bike commuting increases, bad behavior on the bike seems to be everywhere. It's alarming and unsustainable. 

According to the League of American Cyclists, riding to work has increased more than 60% in the past decade. With more riders on the road, more conflict among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians is inevitable. 

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, IQRemix, VeloBusDriver, Maria Eklind, kasio69
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