Does Downtown need a bike repair/supply shop? (Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville: rental, hotels)

[eschaton]

As someone who attempts to be a bike commuter, I'm frustrated at the hours that neighborhood bike shops keep, which seem to assume you don't work regular hours. The closest one to me in Lawrenceville (right behind Arsenal Lanes) is only open 11-6 Tuesday through Saturday. Last Thursday I got a flat and needed a new tube. Because I couldn't get to the store on Saturday, I didn't get a chance to change my tire until last night.

I wonder if there are enough bike commuters downtown now to warrant a shop? I know I would love being able to walk/ride down to it if I needed something over my lunch break. I daresay next to Oakland, Downtown probably has the highest commuter bike concentration during the daytime hours. The short hours wouldn't be an issue either, as closing at six is just enough time to ensure those who get a flat downtown have enough time to buy a replacement before heading home.

Of course, people wouldn't go into such a place to buy expensive swag like at Trek most likely, meaning margins would be low even if demand is high. Still, there's enough vacant retail in parts of downtown I can't see a little nook somewhere being utilized.

[BrianTH]

Now that you mention it--yes!

I wonder if you could combine it with a rental service (I know there is one Downtown already).

[AaronPGH]

I think this is a good idea. If you opened one that catered to supplies for bike commuters, but also had a very high-profile bike rental component for tourists I think you could do good business. You're near all the hotels and right in the epicenter of the trail network. Probably de-emphasize the actual selling of bikes.

[AaronPGH]

Dammit, too quick, Brian! Golden Triangle bikes is a really nice shop, but they are a bit removed from everything. It'd be cool to see them open a small rental satellite store closer to the action maybe?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

It'd be cool to see them open a small rental satellite store closer to the action maybe?

Indeed. For example something close-ish to the Gateway subway station could be cool, for a combination of access to Point State Park and the rivers, convenience for commuters, and leveraging the T.

[AaronPGH]

It would be cool for them to use some of that triangle space and line up the rental bikes outside. Get some nice signage put up. Tourists to the city may not even think about renting a bike until they pass something like that.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

It would be cool for them to use some of that triangle space and line up the rental bikes outside. Get some nice signage put up. Tourists to the city may not even think about renting a bike until they pass something like that.

That's a great idea even without the repair shop.

[robrobrob]

Amazing how far Pittsburgh has come. The original owners of the Golden Triangle Bike Rental had to sell because they couldn't make it work.

[stburr91]

It would be nice to have a bikestation downtown, combining a retail/repair shop, secure bike parking and bike rental all in one facility.

[pman]

I think brian is right on the money, a shop that also rents bikes close enough to the university, hotels, and offices (as well as a lot of the residences) might work. the dc bikestation was not privately funded