Press Release
Popular Community Bike Shop Loses Space
Members of the organization seek support in the hunt for a new venue
CALGARY, AB – A popular not-for-profit community-run bike shop has been informed their current space must be vacated by February 17th. During its three and a half years in the space, the Good Life Community Bicycle Shop has provided cycling support, resources and education to the Calgary community. It continues to grow in its mission to empower people from all walks of life to learn a new skill and choose cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
The Good Life began in 2008 with a project grant of $5000 and has grown exponentially since then. “The Good Life is a vital service to the Calgary community” says Britt Aberle, a coordinator and volunteer at the Good Life. “A new space is essential for us to continue to do the work we do, supporting thousands of Calgarians each year.” Due to the Good Life’s efforts, over 3000 bikes have been diverted from the landfill to be reused or recycled and more than 5000 people have accessed the organization’s many programs.
Due to the short notice of the lease termination, the Good Life is seeking support from the community in the search for a new venue. This may come in the form of brainstorming, connections or an actual donation of space. For those who may be able to help in the procurement of a new space, a meeting will take place Monday, January 16th at 6:30PM at the Good Life Community Bicycle Shop in Eau Claire Market. Monetary donations to assist with the transition will be accepted at the shop prior to February 13, or may be sent to Two Wheel View (the Good Life’s sister organization) via CanadaHelps.org.
Volunteer Daniel Giesbrecht notes, “The Good Life helps people. They helped me learn how to do things that I did not know before, which I appreciate; it makes me feel good. They didn’t charge me anything to fix my bike! I hope that they keep going and I wish there were more of these (community bike shops).”
“We are grateful for and thank everybody for their support in this critical time of need.” Says Renee Mak, a staff member who began working for the Good Life as a volunteer.
