Magic City Bicycle Collective Aims to Spread the Cycling Gospel (Photos)

By Hannah Sentenac Mon., Jul. 2 2012 at 7:30 AM

For a major metropolis, Miami's cycling scene has often been described as sub-par. From a lack of bike lanes to discourteous driving, it ain't easy spinning your wheels in the Magic City. When it comes to bicycles as a viable alternative to gas guzzlers, we have a long ride ahead of us, so to speak.

But the Magic City Bicycle Collective (MCBC) and its dedicated team of "superheroes" (aka volunteers) may be the answer to many of these problems. This newly launched, volunteer-led co-op aims to empower Miamians to grab their bikes and GO.

Saturday night was their grand opening gathering, where cyclists and interested locals alike gathered at the Collective's new space in support of a greener, healthier tomorrow. There was beer, baked goods (vegan!), and a themed pinata. And bikes. Lots and lots of bikes.

Hannah Sentenac

Bike-a-riffic brownies.

Hannah Sentenac

Beer. Beer. And more beer.

Hannah Sentenac

Spinning. Not wheels. Records.

Volunteer Olga Cano outlined the many programs the co-op plans to implement upon their official launch, which is scheduled for the second week of July. Though just opening their doors, the group has been meeting since January, and lord knows the concept of a co-op has been tossed around in MIA for years. Their overall aim is modeled after similar success stories in other cities.

The Collective won't provide services (hence, they won't be in competition with any local biz). Instead, they're all about education. Individuals are invited to come and learn from on-site instructors how to fix and maintain their own wheels. For a $5 per hour suggested donation, riders can utilize the tools, space and the extensive knowledge of MCBC mechanics.

Tags:

Bicycles, Magic City Bicycle Collective

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nanana

agreeed...on a lighter note i think this collective is a HUGE step for miami cyclists. and @anthonyvop:disqus MORE BIKES = LESS CARS = LESS TRAFFIC = STFU AND BE HAPPY

Cynthia J. Parker

Furthermore, bikes are LEGALLY NOT ALLOWED to be on the sidewalk...FoxGetPositionWork.blogspot.com

Imagary29

Everyone should stop responding to this idiot, anthonyvop. This is the same guy who got all pissy about the memorial ride for Aaron Cohen and called it a publicity stunt. This person obviously respects no human life other than his own. He is a sad excuse for a productive member of society. A productive member of society is not just someone who pays taxes, they give back to the society they are part of and respect others around them. A productive member of society would not ridicule and degrade the death of a human being and call it a "publicity stunt" and bitch cause it caused him to be late for his meeting.

Melissa

Bikes are legally allowed on public streets. Therefore any bike has just as much right to be on the street that you do. Furthermore, bikes are LEGALLY NOT ALLOWED to be on the sidewalk...seeing that it is for WALKING. How are bikes costing you time and hurting the economy? It takes 10 seconds to slow down a bit and GO AROUND a bicyclist. Just because you're running late for work doesn't mean that the economy is being affected....just yours. Leave earlier and you shouldn't have a problem. Stop being so prone to rage and leave earlier and all your problems with our SO CALLED "hobby" won't effect you.

Dan

That's where you're mistaken. We don't cause traffic, we are part of it. Let's be honest, we see more idiot drivers than idiot cyclists. You realize cyclists are usually also drivers and pay the exact same things you do? get off your high horse. It's that mentality of viewing cycling as just a hobby as opposed to a viable from of transportation that delay the development of safer street for both motorists and cyclists.

Dan

You're assuming all cyclists are unproductive members of society? jobless? Please, try and get out of your bubble. Cyclists are as diverse as the city around you. Also, you just attacked me by assuming I'm a "jobless hippie".... Practice what you preach my friend.