I am Mr. Bicycle.
I have been servicing bicycles for 49 years.
This service has included working in shops in Burlington and helping establish Bike Recycle Vermont, a place for bicycles and the people who need them.
I now own and operate Little City Cycles in Vergennes. Over the past 12 years Little City Cycles has grown to support thousands of riders from Addison County and beyond.
During this time, I co-founded Green Mountain Foster Bikes, giving away over 100 bicycles to Foster kids in Vermont so far.
The contributions and support of the community have been overwhelming, cramping the little space we work from.
To grow and serve all Foster kids in Vermont and the growing number of cyclists in these times, more space is needed.
Every time you ride a bicycle you feel better, and every smile a bicycle brings adds joy to the community.
I envision a vibrant community bicycle resource that could include volunteer opportunities, classes and continued service for cyclists.
So when the perfect space became available across the street, money was raised and an offer accepted.
Then the railroad, which leases the land from the state, said they did not want to lease to anyone who did not use rail.
Everyone said oh well, that’s that.
I ask why.
While I understand that the railroad has the right to run their business how they want, sometimes acquiescing to the larger community needs is just the decent thing to do.
All we need is for the railroad to give us a lease and let us keep the buildings there.
By publishing this I hope those who can will help me find a way to move Green Mountain Foster Bikes to its new home.
Thank you
Tim Mathewson
Ferrisburgh