John Wigle
Lori Newton Executive Director
Liam Allcock
Bike Windsor Essex
From what they told me as I interviewed them, it seems that John and Liam run the show at Bike Windsor Essex. John tells me that they are the person who run the shop and focuses on the more mechanical aspect of things, while Liam seems to be more focused on the many programs and educational services which Bike Windsor Essex offers. Either way, I can tell that both are extremely passionate about what they do and that both seem to have some hand in all aspects of the business. That is, a business which seems to be booming as Windsor’s only non-profit community bike shop. I don’t recall the specifics of all the different programs John and Liam told me about, but what I do know is that they seem to be quite busy with all that they are doing to contribute to biking in Windsor.
Bike Windsor Essex acts as a full-service bike shop (repairs/servicing plus buying & selling). John and Liam tell me that another important aspect of the business is “DIY time”, where people can come in and work on their bikes. One program that Liam described to me which stood out was “earn a bike”. People can come in and offer their time as volunteers at Bike Windsor Essex and earn their own bike as opposed to paying outright for one. I think that “earn a bike” is a wonderful idea as it allows people who might find it difficult to pay to get access to a bike and allows people who’re passionate about biking to contribute to the biking community in Windsor. There is of course the educational aspect of the business as well. Funny story, my former science teacher was teaching there the first couple days I was at Shō. He was quite a good science teacher (funny as well). I can assure anyone who might take his classes at Bike Windsor Essex, that he would find a way to make topics like bike safety which might otherwise sound boring into something enjoyable.
Having seen what John and Liam have going on in their shop over the past few days and knowing what kind and interesting people they are to talk to, I have no doubt that Bike Windsor Essex will continue to grow as a hub for bikers in the community.
