Bike Works was among the first major bike organizations in Seattle to shut down operations amid the COVID-19 outbreak, doing so well before Governor Jay Inslee’s order requiring many businesses and education services to close.
Staff have been working for the past three weeks to reorganize Bike Works’ Columbia City community bike shop to create an online store and a socially-distant way of operating so they could reopen the shop safely and keep folks in the southend rolling. The biggest change is that they are asking people not to visit the shop without first making an appointment. You can do so my calling the shop (206.725.8867) or emailing Josh. You can also call if you have any questions.
In addition, they put together a new online store, so you can browse there instead of going into the shop. Then you can just make an appointment to swing by and pick up whatever you ordered. They will disinfect bikes before giving them to you. They can’t offer test rides, but are offering a 30-day return policy if it doesn’t work for you.
In declaring the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order — Washington’s version of a shelter-in-place order — Governor Inslee created an exception for bike repair shops, citing them as an essential service. With many people avoiding transit, where it can be difficult to maintain proper social distancing, biking has become an even more vital and affordable way to get around for essential workers or people making essential trips. Bike Works is among the relatively few southend bike shops, so it’s great that they are finding a way to responsibly reopen.
On that note, they are also offering medical and grocery workers a big 50% discount on repairs, including parts and labor. That’s an awesome service for community members who are doing so much for us right now.
Of course, Bike Works is much more than a shop. Its other work, such as its popular after-school programs, remain on hiatus.
On March 23rd, Governor Inslee declared a Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order in the state of Washington, ordering that businesses close except for those deemed “essential services“. We are fortunate to live in a state that acknowledges bike repair services as essential – many workers commute by bike in order to provide us with things like medicine, food, and electricity. Opting to commute by bike allows for better social-distancing practices than riding public transit, with the added benefit of some exercise & fresh air while we’re ordered to otherwise stay at home.
Bike Works has been closed to the public for the last 3 weeks, but we’ve been working remotely and behind the scenes.
We are pleased to announce that our bike shop is now open for repairs by appointment – call the shop (206-725-8867) or email Josh to secure your time slot and leave a voice message for a callback if nobody answers!
DO NOT come by the shop without an appointment. In order to maintain social-distancing best practices, we ask that you come by only with an appointment for bike repair or to pick up a bike you’ve purchased online. Bike repair appointments are available 7 days a week, 10 – 6 PM.
We have also launched an online store for you to buy bikes, accessories, and gift cards.
We welcome you to purchase bikes online. Feel free to call the shop (206-725-8867) with questions about a bike to see if it might be a good fit for you. We’re not able to allow test rides at this time, but we will honor our 30-day return policy if the bike doesn’t work out. You’ll choose your preferred pickup day at checkout, and will receive a phone call to confirm your appointment. Then, come pick up your new bike at our shop in Columbia City! We will disinfect all bikes before handing them over to you – we’ll share more details about our social-distancing and disinfecting practices when we confirm your appointment.
All other purchases you make on our online store will be shipped to you directly.
Looking for a specific part for your ride? We’ve also got some components and accessories up for sale on our ebay page – check it out!
Finally, we are offering a 50% discount off bike repair (parts & labor) for medical personnel and grocery store employees – we recognize that you are on the front lines keeping us all safe, healthy, and fed! We love & appreciate you and want you to be able to get around safely!
Comments
One response to “Bike Works reopens shop by appointment only, offers medical and grocery workers 50% off repairs”
By appointment is not great if your bike breaks down in the middle of a ride, but understandable under the circumstance (helps ensure only one customer in the store at a time). At least the buses are still running and have bike racks, so you will eventually get home, should that happen.