Nelson Vails is iconic in not one, but TWO worlds of cycling. In 1984 he became the first African-American to win an Olympic medal for cycling, winning the silver for the sprint He was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Velodrome Cycling Hall of Fame in 2005 and to the US Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009. Simultaneously, this pro-cyclist was the emblematic New York City bike messenger in the 1986 movie Quicksilver starring Kevin Bacon. Vails was also a legendary NYC bike messenger in real life, BTW.
You can learn more about in Vails in the 2014 documentary Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story
In 1928, five New Yorkers, Marylou Jackson, Velma Jackson, Ethyl Miller, Leolya Nelson and Constance White, biked from NYC to Washington D.C., over 250 miles in 3 days. When asked why, the riders replied “[for] the love of the great-out-of-doors.” Cycling in the 1920s was mainly viewed as an activity for young white males, an all too familiar story, but these black women and avid cyclists were blazing a tour; biking over 110 miles on just the first day. You can learn more in Marya McQuirter’s article “Women’s (Bike) History: 3 Days, 5 Women, 250 miles”
In 1913 Ali Neffati became the first Black rider in the Tour de France. At age 18, he was and is the youngest participant to ever compete. Neffati hailed from Tunisia and was iconic for wearing a fez instead of the traditional cap. Although he was not able to complete the tour, he was one of only 87 riders to compete in the Circuit des Champs de Bataille in early 1919, the stages of which crossed towns devastated by World War I; the race is remembered as the toughest in cycling history.
We’re kicking of Black History Month at Broadway Bikes with the legendary Marshall “Major” Taylor. Major Taylor, born in 1878, was the first African-American cyclist to achieve the level of world champion (achieving this in 1899) after setting numerous world records and only the second black man to win a world championship in any sport, after Canadian boxer George Dixon, all while under racially fueled hostility from the public and white riders included conspiratorial race tactics, threats and physical assault. Major Taylor will always be a cornerstone of cycling’s history. Featured here is one of two photos of Major Taylor that proudly hang in our shop.
We’re a collectively run and locally owned bicycle shop that has been in operation since 1972. A subset of workers own and democratically manage the business. As a full-service bike shop, we both repair and sell new and used bikes. Our tools and space are also made available for rent, so folks can come in and fix their own bikes by themselves or with one-on-one assistance from a mechanic. In the evenings we offer classes on the topic of bicycle maintenance and repair. Several times throughout the year, we provide on location mechanical services for local business and organizations. Also we are proud to offer a $15 per hour starting wage.
Walking into a bicycle shop for the first time can be an intimidating endeavor for many, which is why Broadway strives to create a welcoming environment for all persons that come through our door.
Job Description:
We are hiring for a bicycle mechanic whose responsibilities also include customer service and sales. This is a full-time (~40) hours per week from February — April 2017 (start dates vary from early Feb to the start of April and full-time does not begin until April) through the end of October 2017 with the expectation to work one and sometimes two weekend days. This is a fast paced work environment that often requires workers to jump back and forth between the roles of mechanic and salesperson many times over the course of a shift. Employees are hired “at-will” but due to the seasonal nature of the business there is a period which usually begins at the start of November when little to no hours will be available.
It is NOT a prerequisite that you have previous shop experience, only that you have a passion for bicycles and working on them. We will provide the necessary training in all aspects of the position. We encourage people of color, LGTBQ folks and women (including transwomen, nonconforming, and nonbinary folks) to apply.
If you are interested in applying please fill out the BroadwayBicycleSchoolApplication2017 and drop it by the shop or email it to broadway@broadwaybicycleschool.com
What a steal (and made of steel). Come by our shop to check it out and give it a test ride.
Frame: SOMA Rush
Size: 57cm
Front wheel: Phil wood hub, Mavic Open Pro, double butted spokes, hand-built
Rear wheel: Phil wood fix/fix track hub, Mavic Open Pro, double butted spokes, hand-built
Rear cogs: 18T, 15T
Headset: Chris King
Crank: Paul Components Royal Flush Track Crank, 48T
Front and rear brakes: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Saddle and brake levers: SOMA
HEAR OUR VOICE, by Liza Donovan (http://theamplifierfoundation.org/#download)
We close our doors on Friday, January 20th in solidarity with every person, organization, and business in the United States who refuse to continue business as usual under the incoming Trump/Pence Presidency.
Broadway Bikes has worked daily since 1972 to support our community with excellent service in bicycle repair, sustainable transportation and recreation, and protecting worker rights and access to business ownership. On January 20th we will support our community by closing our doors in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington, National Women’s Liberation Movement call to strike, the marches protesting the Presidential Inauguration, and the growing list of social justice organizations fighting for human rights.
We refuse to normalize this presidency and its attacks on Black Lives Matter and people of color, immigrants, indigenous peoples, people of all faiths, particularly Muslim, the LGBTQIA community, those with different physical abilities, women and non-binary folks, those without financial security, and all the intersecting identities that make up our community and our country.
We apologize for any inconvenience that today’s closure has caused. We will resume business on Saturday, January 21st, and we are proud to give you 10% off parts and accessories to those on their way to, coming back from, and those in support of the local and National Women’s Marches. Many of our staff will also be in attendance of these marches. As Dr. King said, “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
