With pandemic response measures varying state-by-state, it’s not always simple to figure out what shops are open and which are closed. But for many cyclists, bike shops are essential businesses, whether as transportation or a method of staying healthy and clear-headed among all the other turmoil around us. So, two mainstays of the Portland cycling community – Chris King & Portland Design Works – paired up to map which local bike shops are open around the US. Now you can figure out where to get your bike worked on, where you get the maintenance supplies you need, or just which shops you can still support in person…
Bike Shop Status during COVID-19 pandemic: an interactive map
Component maker Chris King & gear maker Portland Design Works wanted to make it easier for the many local bike shops around the country to communicate that they were working hard to make sure they could still serve the needs of cyclists during the difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic. So the two companies paired up their staffing capabilities to create & maintain a national database of Bike Shop Status during the COVID-19 pandemic… then overlay that data on an easy to use interactive map of open shops. The two companies set up a Google Docs form where shops can provide their detailed up-to-date status to be included for free. Add your shop if you haven’t done so already!
Find out how the original local spreadsheet sharing shop status in Portland-only grew into this new nationwide database over at BikePortland.org.
Now, to find the shop nearest you or to check on your favorite bike shop, you can simply browse the map, click on your shop, and find out: current shop status, what special procedures they have adopted to protect customers & staff, when they last updated their status, and how to contact the shop.
Many of the shops in the database seem to have dialed back to limited operating hours, and many have taken measures to maintain social distancing in or around their shop. That might mean for some that they are handling bike service by appointment only, or only via curbside drop-off/pick-up, but also means many have added the possibility for home delivery & pickup too. Find your shop, find their current operating procedures, and support your local bike shop.
PDW & Chris King have committed to compiling info into the underlying dataset throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of shops listed are in the US, but it does appear they have made it possible to at least add one shop in Scotland, so we’re curious if it might evolve as more of an international resource over time? Once shops are added, they will be able to freely update their status to keep customer informed.
Now that you know, stick to your local regulations, ride solo & ride safe to help us all get through this.
