Starting a bike Cafe... maybe...

[ivegotabike]

I appear to be writing a concept and business plan for a bicycle café.

More specifically, I'm writing a proposal for a local organisation for a bike café as a way of helping people with addiction related issues in our town. The idea being that up to ten people can work there doing various tasks, learn soft skills, build confidence, et c. The structure would be similar to what I've been doing for about four years now; taking in old bikes, repairing the usable ones and dismantling the unusable ones*.

I've worked where I am now for two years and built up another workshop in a different town for a couple of years before that; long-suffering members may remember the thread about that workshop. I'll be working in the current workshop while I get my bike mechanic's qualification, but I'm sending this proposal now to see if this organisation is interested.

Adding a café is a new step, but it gives a wider range of activities for people to do, and also to give the organisation another income source for the same facility, because non-profit organisations also have bills to pay. As I know next to noting about this, yesterday I went to a café/theatre where I was on a training placement, where the manager of the café generously answered lots of questions about how we could start up, so I have a realistic outline for how a café could start, what to avoid, and even some organisations that would be open to help.

Now a question for the members of this forum: Bike Cafés are still pretty much unheard of in Germany, so I only have what I've seen in the UK; being the highly cultured people you are, I'm sure many of you have patronised bike cafés and sampled their services. What have you particularly enjoyed, what would be a good idea?

*The reason for this, is that clients only get pocket money; 2€/hour, so they can't do normal maintenance because they're not qualified, and it would take work from trained mechanics.

There is a cafe in York called chocolateandco. It employs people at various stages of their addiction journey.

It is a superb cafe and the work it is doing in the community is magnificent.

https://www.chocolateandco.org/

 

[All uphill]

My plea is that you ensure you can do a few things reliably and well, rather than trying to do everything poorly.

The idea for separate managers for food and bikes makes sense, but you will have to think about how you prevent turf wars and manage conflicts that will arise between the two activities.

My advice is to keep both operations really focussed with a simple menu of repairs/food and drink initially.

Write down aspirations and ideas now for a time when you have a really solid operation. Walk before you run!

My very best wishes with this exciting proposition!

 

[Andy in Germany]

There is a cafe in York called chocolateandco. It employs people at various stages of their addiction journey.

It is a superb cafe and the work it is doing in the community is magnificent.

https://www.chocolateandco.org/

Wow, thanks for that: I'll be in York over Christmas, and I was already planning to visit Cycle Heaven, but that's going to be on my list as well now. In fact, something like chocolate or similar may be a good angle for what I'm planning. Will have to think about that...

 

[Andy in Germany]

My plea is that you ensure you can do a few things reliably and well, rather than trying to do everything poorly.

The idea for separate managers for food and bikes makes sense, but you will have to think about how you prevent turf wars and manage conflicts that will arise between the two activities.

My advice is to keep both operations really focussed with a simple menu of repairs/food and drink initially.

Write down aspirations and ideas now for a time when you have a really solid operation. Walk before you run!

My very best wishes with this exciting proposition!

That's pretty much verbatim what the catering manager said yesterday: I'm aware of the "turf wars" issue. If I end up being in charge of the bikes section, the relationship with the catering manager will be crucial. One of the things I admire greatly about Kulturwerk is that despite one performance space overlapping the dining area, there was never even a hint of that sort of thing; the team were genuinely quite close and got on well together.

The manager thinks one aspect of this was the daily shared meal at 2pm when the café officially closes, and I think that's right. Everyone who wants to can eat together for 2.50 € and we could all hang out for an hour. I noticed when I worked there, that these meals were presented for the clients in the same tableware, with the same care as they were for the public. This was one of many similar details that showed care and attention towards clients; I think that ethos is an important part of the reason the organisation is so successful.

And yes, I'll keep things very simple to start: build up the production line for the bikes, serve coffee and tea, sandwiches and local cakes, then develop as we go along. I also have to factor in that we will have up to sixteen clients at a go.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I don't have any direct advice but I do know of this place my parents frequent which sounds not dissimilar, though supports people with learning disabilities to work rather than your clientele.

https://www.route1coffeehouse.com/

 

[ivegotabike]

Wow, thanks for that: I'll be in York over Christmas, and I was already planning to visit Cycle Heaven, but that's going to be on my list as well now. In fact, something like chocolate or similar may be a good angle for what I'm planning. Will have to think about that...

I am sure that if you get in touch with them in advance, Mariah and Linda (the two women who set it up) will be delighted to meet with you to discuss things.

Cycleheaven is worth a look.

If you have transport, the coffee house barn at Tibthorpe is not so far away either.

 

[Gwylan]

I like the idea of films: I was thinking of something similar, not just with cycling films but all kinds of evening events.

I think our clientele may be a bit different because we have a lot of people here who ride bicycles but wouldn't consider themselves "cyclists": Our customers are likely to include mums on cargo bikes and older couples on Ebikes out for an afternoon trundle. I expect we'll have to start and tailor the wares based on feedback.

Don't underestimate the "yummy mummy" vote. Need a place to go with small children, meet their chums and chill for a couple of hours.
A powerful part of the demographic.

 

[VinSumRox]

This is our local one, the website gives you an idea. https://www.thecyclehub.org/
The website doesnt give a sense of how opening it was I understand quite a hard headed business decision, gap in the market etc. Its on a major long distance route -C2C- which helps. I like the fact that unlike other places you can go in wearing overshoes, dripping wet, etc and not feel weird, because as a cyclist its your place! Others value the cycleability lessons and the social rides. There was another place (workshop, cafe) in Newcastle in the city centre which i liked even more as it had better food and coffee. It also sold second hand bikes which were nice to browse. Whether city centre property rental prices did for it Im not sure.

Simon Battersby has done some research into these kind of things, if you google him you might get some useful intell.

We were in there last week , on our way between the DFDS ferry and the railway station, it's a good combination of cafe and bike shop. It also benefits from a good location and being on a busy area of bike paths and walks.