North Portland Bike Works is a non-profit community bike shop. We offer new & used bikes, parts and accessories and operate a full-service repair shop. We also host workshops designed for people to learn how to fix and maintain their own bikes in a non-intimidating environment. We specialize in commuter bikes & parts at accessible prices.
How we started…
Back in the summer of 2001 a group of mechanics got together to open a non-profit bike shop in North Portland that focused on helping people learn to fix their bikes. We wanted to have a shop that was friendly, accessible, and affordable to anyone who walked in the door. Along with our retail and repair shop, we designed several after-hours programs that teach people how to work on their own bikes in a comfortable, non-intimidating setting. All our programs were, and still are, on a sliding scale to ensure that no one would be turned away due to lack of funds.
We opened our doors in July of 2002(we are the fifth oldest business on the street!). We have been providing our neighborhood with a bike shop that could service all the different needs of the different bike riders in Portland. As we’ve grown, we’ve kept our prices affordable, kept some programs going strong, and still try to be as friendly and inviting as we can to old and new faces alike.
It is imperative to us as a shop, and as people, to make bike riding fun and enjoyable. We want everyone to feel as comfortable as possible asking questions about accessories, parts, bike routes or just general information. We strongly believe in helping people understand things and not just selling things that they might not need or want.
Kim Fey, Co-Founder
Kim's enthusiasm and drive were infectious and inspiring. Kim loved life fully and was a driving force for so many endeavors and happenings. Kim organized Portland's radical history tour way back in the early 2000's. She worked in the non-profit sector for nine years doing grant writing and development work. Kim left this planet in 2014. Without her incredible spirit and tireless effort and enthusiasm North Portland Bikeworks would have never been. In Kim's honor and memory we continue the work and the attitude she loved to express. We miss our Kim!
http://maximumrocknroll.com/kim-fern-obit/
Alex McFarland, Director
Alex worked at the Community Cycling Center as an Instructor/Program Director from 1998 to 2002. He’s a huge fan of using your bike as transportation and making it fun! He’s directs our Community Bike Night and loves making people feel comfortable working on their bikes.
Bob Wolf, President
Before the bike shop Bob was a mechanic at City Bikes for five years. She’s toured on her bike to San Francisco several times and did a month long bike tour of New Zealand. She loved working Women and Trans Bike Night and helping people learn how their bike functions. Bob also is a musician who plays in several bands and worked at the Rock Camp for Girls.