TriTech Bikes owner Dylan Carrico-Rogers is staying positive despite a rough week at his business on East Glisan.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePorltand)

The final installment of our three-part series written by Rebecca Small and Shawn Small.

On Friday, we shared information on the two programs that are intended to help you maintain payroll. However, businesses have other expenses besides payroll.

Though not an exhaustive list, the resources below can help you pay for things such as; fixing your broken cargo delivery bike, hiring a financial advisor to help you make a two-year plan, or buying camera equipment to create high-quality videos to take advantage of new streaming/remote/virtual business opportunities.

More revenue resources

[Read more…]

Map of bike shop statuses during the COVID-19 outbreak created by Chris King Precision Components and Portland Design Works [Read more…]

(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Part two of a three-part series written by Rebecca Small and Shawn Small. See full series here.

We continue with another timely article that’s tailor-made for Portland bike businesses. On Wednesday we explained how to navigate the system and find unemployment benefits. Today we’ll share the latest links and advice for how to manage cashflow and maintain your workforce.

Part 2: Resources to help maintain payroll

[Read more…]

A machine operator at Chris King Precision Components, one of Portland’s many small bike businesses.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

A three-part series written by Rebecca Small and Shawn Small. See the rest of the guides here.

Uncertainty is hardly a new sensation for small business owners. Throw in a pandemic, a statewide lockdown, and implosion of the national economy and our local entrepreneurs find themselves facing previously unknown levels of apprehension and sleepless nights. Lately it may seem like there are a million possible wrong choices.

Every one of the nearly 100 different bike-related business in Portland, from the biggest bike shop in town to a self-employed bike fitter, falls into the category of a “small business” – by definition, a company with fewer than 500 people. Most are much smaller: 9 out of 10 businesses in Oregon have fewer than 20 employees. Despite their size, they employ 55% of the state’s workers. They are critical economic engines of our community.[Read more…]

This is what you need.
(Photo: Chrome)

Local bike bag and apparel maker Chrome Industries calls their retail stores “Hubs”. Now those hubs — including their location in Old Town — are the center of a new effort to help battle coronavirus infections.

Chrome announced today they’re galvanizing their global legion of fans around a new mission: to help fill the nationwide gap in N95 masks for healthcare workers. (*Note: N95 masks require special material. Please see update below for more about this.)

“There is a basic need on the front lines, and our community has an opportunity to help,” said Chrome Industries President Steve McCallion in a statement from the company today. [Read more…]

Most shops, like Upcycles in Woodlawn, have implemented serious distancing procedures already.
(Photo: Upcycles)

Amid a growing number of coronavirus infections and pressure from concerned Oregonians and public health officials, Oregon Governor Kate Brown has issued an executive order to encourage people to minimize physical contact.

The “Stay Home, Save Lives” order clarifies which type of businesses must close and how to go outdoors without violating the order. Bike shops are not on the list of businesses that are required to close. The Governor has also not prohibited or discouraged bicycling. In fact, “biking in your neighborhood” is among the things called out in her official statement — as long as you maintain six or more feet distance between yourself and other riders. [Read more…]

Roule Cycling is selling apparel at cost to keep cash flowing.

One of the focuses of our work so far during this outbreak is to monitor the health of our local bike economy and do what we can to help them survive. One of the things I’m doing is scrolling through social media and emails looking for updates about how local bike businesses are holding up and adapting to the strange reality of the times.

Here are a few things I’ve learned:

Breadwinner Cycles is offering bike repair and maintenance service. Breadwinner is a bicycle maker and not usually available as a bike repair shop. That has now changed. “We are offering our services to our Portland cycling community to showcase that bicycles are a better way to go,” say owners Tony and Ira. To drop off your bike give them a call at (503) 236-8511 to set an appointment.

Most local bike shops remain open, but many changed their protocols over the weekend. Appointment only and zero-contact practices seem to be the norm. Our bike shop status update spreadsheet has all the latest info, including links to (most of) the shops where you can buy online or purchase gift cards.

Component manufacturer Chris King wants your help to keep business flowing to local bike shops (who they rely on for orders). They’ve started the Bikes Build Us Up social media campaign that comes with the #SupportYourLocalBikeShop social media tag and a custom graphic you can place over your own image to promote the campaign online.[Read more…]