How Bike Shops Can Safely Offer Service
On Friday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the extension of her stay-at-home order until May 15. While the basic guidelines remain the same, there are some changes to what businesses can reopen or expand operations, including bike shops.
Don’t go running down to your local shop just yet. The revised order includes language that specifies that bike shops should be open for repairs, a stipulation that means the normal retail experience won’t be back right away. They’ll be allowed to offer repair services, and even that will have to conform to current recommendations.
Most shops will be able to get their service areas back up to full speed in no time, but they’ll have to make changes to do so. Many will offer curbside drop-off and pick-up, not unlike your local restaurant. After calling or booking an appointment online, customers will be able to drop off their bike at a specific outdoor location. Then, shops can do their thing, call the customer for payment, then schedule a pick-up time.
But what’s next? In another few weeks, shops and all kinds of retailers will likely enforce some social distancing practices, even if normal retail operations return. One of the most likely scenarios will be to limit the number of customers in the shop at a time, possibly asking folks to wait outside.
They’re also very likely to encourage a continuation of the repair model. They’ll be able to greatly reduce the number of people waiting or congregating inside by continuing outdoor drop-offs and pick-ups. Another step? Don’t be surprised to see more shops adopt a mobile bike shop component and bring bicycle repair to you. Shops that already have a van, stand, and set of tools are prepared, and the success of services like VeloFix show that mobile repairs could play a big role over the next few months and indefinitely.
You can help yourself, your family, and others by being responsible, too. If you do drop your bike off, consider using disinfectant wipes on it just before you leave it behind. Sick people shouldn’t use a couple of days off the bike as a reason to leave their rig for repairs; if you feel unwell, you should not be leaving the house except to seek medical help. If you know what parts or gear you need, consider calling your local shop and asking for curbside pickup to still support your shop without putting anyone at risk.
As we take this cautious step forward, remember, most of the social distancing measures we’ve been following over the past 40-plus days still stand, and that includes riding solo, staying home, avoiding extraneous travel or social contact, and washing your hands.
The better we are about these steps now, the sooner we’ll be back to riding together, so let’s stay with it!