The Transparent Bike Shop

Over the years I have spent a lot of time thinking “what is it all about?”. Why do I run a bike shop? What are we trying to accomplish? And WHY does Fitzgerald’s Bicycles exist? Our Mission Statement came out of these thoughts years ago and has been a guiding light for us, “Fitzgerald’s Bicycles exists to Grow Support for Cycling, the Success of our Community, and Respect for the Planet”.

But there has been something missing in the ways in which we broadcast that message. Often, it feels awkward to speak about the reasons behind the life Jannine and I have chosen and the business that supports it. I’m not really sure why, but I find myself falling into old patterns of talking more about the cool products we sell than the reasons Why we sell them. Well, I’m looking to break that pattern so here is the first in a series of blog posts that attempt to speak openly and honestly about Why we exist, How we operate, and What we sell - “The Transparent Bike Shop”.

The Transparent Bike Shop concept is born from our ‘Why’:

• We believe that Bicycles provide incredibly powerful and inspiring experiences to those who ride them.
• We believe these experiences lead to healthier, more connected communities that are founded on a deep respect for our natural world and the people in it.
• We believe that stronger communities, built from a cycling lifestyle, can transform the world.
• We believe Local Bike Shops Build Community.

Local Bike Shops build Community and just as importantly, Communities build Local Bike Shops. This two way street of support can be even stonger if you have a greater understanding of what makes the shop tick. My intention is to bring you into a conversation about HOW a bike shop operates and more importantly WHY it operates. I hope I can keep up with this intention as the season ramps up and our lives get crazy. That will be way easier if you engage - let me know what you think!

After all, what is the purpose of a blog? We think the purpose is to let you know what we think, and what we feel, and then bring you into a conversation about it.

Comment here, email us, post to our Facebook… join the conversation.

info@Fitzgerald’s Bicycles.com

https://www.facebook.com/fitzgeraldsbicycles

ACTION ALERT: SAVE $1.7M worth of pathway funding!

ACTION ALERT: We need you to act THIS WEEK to save $1.7M pathway funding!

Here at Fitzgerald’s Bicycles nothing is more important to us than Building our Community and Growing Cycling. Right now we have a wonderful opportunity to do both, or to have both disappear at a final hurdle.

How the funding is threatened: The City of Victor was awarded $1.7 million dollars through the Federal Lands Access Program to build a paved pathway from Moose Creek to the Idaho/Wyoming border on the north/east side of Hwy 33 east of Victor. The award came with the condition that the City of Victor matches just over $120,000 in cash. The City along with Teton County Idaho, private individuals and a grant from the Community Foundation of Teton Valley were able to raise all but $100,000. To make up the remainder, the City of Victor was encouraged to apply for a $100,000 matching grant from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Commission (LHTAC). They were encouraged to do so from LHTAC as they have a program that is geared specifically for matching federal grants.

That application is now in Jeopardy of not being funded.

The application is being presented to the LHTAC commissioners this week and a majority of the staff does not want to use the funds on a pathway project vs. a road project. Needless to say, we are very concerned about losing this grant and the $1.7 Million Dollars for our community.

In addition, Teton County Wyoming is applying for a grant to build the following pathway section from State Line to Coal Creek. However, they will not apply for the funding if the Idaho section is unfunded.

How you can ACT: There are several actions you can take to contact the commissioners before they meet this week, we have bulleted them below, please take a few minutes to act on whichever feels most comfortable to you.

• Email JFlatz@lhtac.org Jerry Flatz, Federal-Aid Area Manager
• Email lhtac@lhtac.org Dan Shaeffer, Chairman, LHTAC

• Call 208-344-0565 Dan Shaeffer, Chairman, LHTAC

Please feel free to copy and paste this form letter into any emails you send, and add your own personal touches.

Thank you for your support on this issue and we look forward to seeing you on our new pathway.