Bicycle Friendly America Fall 2016 - 5

SPOTLIGHT: BIKE SHOPS THAT ARE BICYCLE FRIENDLY SHOP: WHEELIE FUN BIKE SHOP LOCATION: POWELL, OHIO BFB STATUS: SILVER Wheelie Fun Bike Shop is located in a small town north of Columbus, Ohio and is a recent recipient of a Bicycle Friendly Business award. As a new bike shop that wanted to connect with its community, it was an easy decision to apply for the award. "If we as a bike shop did it [received a BFB award] then we could talk to other businesses about becoming a bike friendly community. We wanted to lead by example," says Boo Krucky, Wheelie Fun's support team, community outreach and PR coordinator. Founded by her husband Ryan Houston, Krucky enthusiastically shared the importance in how Wheelie Fun plays a role in Powell, Ohio becoming a more bicycle friendly community. Wheelie Fun Bike Shop is paving the way by reaching out to a younger generation of budding cyclists. They provide free maintenance for the Granby Elementary School fleet of 40+ bikes used by gym teacher, Rick Armstrong, who headed the way to build a quartermile mountain bike trail on the school's property. They also do safety checks of the bikes at a number of events hosted by the school. In addition to working with school children, Wheelie Fun welcomes local Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops to their space to achieve their bicycle patch. Wheelie Fun staff teaches the groups an introduction to bike mechanics, which includes showing them how to change a tire and other bike maintenance basics. Additionally, the troops get together to put on a "bike rodeo" (obstacle courses where the scouts can practice different bike skills) in the parking lot of the shop. And, as safety is always a priority, Wheel- ie Fun does free mechanical and helmet checks for all of the participants. Advocating for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure is also key for this Bicycle Friendly Business. Wheelie Fun meets monthly with the Olentangy Powell and Liberty (OPAL) Township trail committee and assists in leading commuRICK ARMSTRONG T he phrase "bicycle friendly" seemingly goes hand in hand with "bike shop," though some shops exceed what is expected of them. The League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program recognizes businesses that make cycling accessible for their employees, customers and the community. Businesses are recognized at the bronze, silver, gold or platinum levels. Learn more about the program at http://www.bikeleague.org/ business. Below are three bike shops of the nearly 250 stores across the United States to receive a Bicycle Friendly Business award. They exemplify what it means to be a bicycle friendly business. From bike rodeos and educational clinics to mobile bike shops, these three shops have unique ways in which they go above and beyond what is expected of a bike shop. RICK ARMSTRONG CAITLIN MARTIN BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA 5 http://www.bikeleague.org/business http://www.bikeleague.org/business http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/08/24/blazing-a-new-path.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/08/24/blazing-a-new-path.html http://www.bikeleague.org/business http://www.bikeleague.org/business http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/program-tools/organizers-guide-bicycle-rodeos http://www.wheeliefunbikeshop.com/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Bicycle Friendly America Fall 2016