Green Machine Cycles, Chicago's premier cargo bike shop, is getting a face lift and wants your suggestions

Green Machine Cycles, Chicago's sustainability-focused cargo bike shop at 1634 Montrose, is renovating its space over the next few weeks and wants your suggestions on products, services, and amenities. What do you want to see at cargo bike central? Child carrying options? Handmade cycling goods? Women's workshops and gear? Cargo bike loading and riding lessons?

After a really productive and positive first few months of operations, the shop is scheduled to finish renovation by the last week of January, just in time for you to pick out your cargo cycling supplies for the warm weather. We are adding a bike wash big enough for cargo bikes, in addition to our full-service repair shop staffed by mechanics with decades of experience in repair, bike fit, and urban cycling. We already provide an inclusive, non-judgmental attitude, welcoming cyclists and non-cyclists of all backgrounds alike, but perhaps there are aspects of positive shop culture we've overlooked that you really want to see in Chicago.

We have made the commitment to utility cycling and sustainability like no other shop, with the intent to offer life-cycle assessments of all the products and services we sell, as well as the city's widest selection of cargo bikes. It's time to fully realize the great potential Chicago's flat topography offers to cargo cycling. 

Here's your chance to weigh in. Go!

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on January 11, 2014 at 5:09pm
Massage while you wait is my favorite suggestion so far. I bet there is one who is a cyclist!
Permalink Reply by Christine (5.0) on January 13, 2014 at 5:54am

Yes yes.  I would even be up for some sort of... carbo bike time share?  I don't know how it would work, exactly, but I just realized this shop is less than two miles from my apartment and I want cargo bikes to do costco runs, but don't want to pay more than I would pay for a zipcar rental.

Tom Dworzanski said:

Cargo bike rentals.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on January 13, 2014 at 6:01am


Totally.  I am 4 foot 10 though may not work for me.


Christine (5.0) said:

Yes yes.  I would even be up for some sort of... carbo bike time share?  I don't know how it would work, exactly, but I just realized this shop is less than two miles from my apartment and I want cargo bikes to do costco runs, but don't want to pay more than I would pay for a zipcar rental.

Tom Dworzanski said:

Cargo bike rentals.
Permalink Reply by Liz W. Durham on January 13, 2014 at 6:09am

Maybe, just maybe, a small Edgerunner would work for you...

Julie Hochstadter said:


Totally.  I am 4 foot 10 though may not work for me.


Christine (5.0) said:

Yes yes.  I would even be up for some sort of... carbo bike time share?  I don't know how it would work, exactly, but I just realized this shop is less than two miles from my apartment and I want cargo bikes to do costco runs, but don't want to pay more than I would pay for a zipcar rental.

Tom Dworzanski said:

Cargo bike rentals.
Permalink Reply by Alex on January 13, 2014 at 6:24am

starting to see more cargo bikes in this city. very exciting. +1

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 13, 2014 at 6:36am

Another issue for petite women may be the ability steer a cargo bike safely and prevent it from tipping over. Cargo bike tend to be much heavier than other bikes, especially when you think of bakfiets style bikes.

Mrs Duppie, who just fits our Halsted has had issues with that.



Julie Hochstadter said:


Totally.  I am 4 foot 10 though may not work for me.


Christine (5.0) said:

Yes yes.  I would even be up for some sort of... carbo bike time share?  I don't know how it would work, exactly, but I just realized this shop is less than two miles from my apartment and I want cargo bikes to do costco runs, but don't want to pay more than I would pay for a zipcar rental.

Tom Dworzanski said:

Cargo bike rentals.
Permalink Reply by prof.gfr on January 13, 2014 at 8:00am

+1 on cargo bike rental.  I know lots of people would be interested in that and it's a great "gateway drug" to the experience of cargo-biking.  

Permalink Reply by Anika on January 14, 2014 at 3:39am
There are a few cargo bikes out there that for petite women are fine. Some better than others but steering hasn't really been an issue when set up properly. My kids would never ride with me if it were.

I like the rental idea - have a friend who is 4'10" looking to haul her 4 and 7 year old around. Borrowing different cargo bike setups from us for longer periods of time has really helped her figure out what works for their family and what doesn't.
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on January 14, 2014 at 5:13am

I second or third the couch. Some bike shops don't have any places to sit. 

Permalink Reply by Green Machine Cycles on January 14, 2014 at 1:36pm

There are plenty of places to sit at my shop, if not places to nap. 

I am going to put together a cargo bike rental program. This seems a great way to lower the barriers to involvement with cargo biking. 

I am also going to ask around for people interested in providing massage of some sort at the shop. Services will likely be at market rate.

Permalink Reply by Green Machine Cycles on January 14, 2014 at 1:45pm

Also, look for these additions this year:

A riding club/regular rides from the shop/cargo bike racing team

Sponsorship and administrative assistance for the Disaster Relief Trials, Chicago edition

An awesome sound system

Regular bicycle themed events for adults and families, such as story nights, mechanical workshops, art making, yoga classes, fashion shows, and more.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on January 14, 2014 at 2:23pm
Woo hoo!!!

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