Skip to main content

December Newsletter

metro bike hub

 

Happy Holidays from the Santa Monica Bike Center! Keep reading to hear more about the Metro Bike Hub Grand Opening Ceremony, Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions On A Bike, How to Deal with Holiday Stress, & SMBC Holiday Offerings…

 

Introducing… The Union Station Metro Bike Hub!

 

BREAKING NEWS! Life just got a whole lot easier for Los Angeles cyclists. On November 15th, 2017, a $2.5 million, 3,000 square-foot bike hub opened its doors at the Los Angeles Union Station. With a goal to encourage more cyclists to utilize the public transit system, this secure indoor bike hub offers rentals, repairs, and retail.

Metro transit officials say this is the largest secure-access bicycle facility of it’s kind and they are hopeful that it will help cyclists to avoid the hassle of bringing their bicycles onto crowded buses and trains. The new and innovative bike hub also provides a wide range of valuable services including accessory sales, bike storage, and same-day repairs. These services are also offered by us, The Bike Center, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but bicycle storage is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The facility also provides closed-circuit surveillance.

“Metro is committed to providing Angelenos with sustainable, healthy alternatives to driving — whether they’re commuting to work, or taking a trip across the region,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Chair Eric Garcetti. “This safe, secure bicycle parking center connects cyclists with one of our city’s most active transportation hubs and encourages more people to get where they’re going on two wheels.”

“We’ve recently brought a host of new services to Union Station, but this new bike hub promises to be one of the best yet for our multi-modal customers,” Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington said. “We now have a dedicated bike shop, parking area and common meeting place for our local bicycle community here at Union Station.”

Located right in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, the Union Station bike hub, capable of storing nearly 200 bicycles, will certainly encourage cyclists across Southern California to pedal on over to see the sites of Downtown LA. So if you’re looking for a change of scenery, plan your next bike trip to the Union Station Bike Hub at bikeshare.metro.net. Be sure to make the best of your trip to Downtown LA by visiting downtownla.com.  

 

How To Finally Keep That New Year’s Resolution

 

Did You Know?

According to a recent study, only 9% of Americans feel they are successful at achieving their New Year’s resolution. For many of us, some of the more common resolutions, such as weight loss or self-improvement, are too vague and they are often established without a sound strategy that will help you reach your goal. As we approach the new year, check out a few fun and innovative New Year’s resolutions for bike lovers like you.

Pedal the Pounds Away

If your goal is to lose weight in the new year, your instincts may tell you to rush to your nearest gym. Avoid the crowds and hop on your bicycle. Make the commitment to ride at least once a week and switch up the scenery. Keep it fun!

Introduce Three Friends to Cycling

You love cycling, right? Well spread the love. Help your friends to find a new hobby and build a support team on the road.

Unplug

Your adrenaline is racing, the music is pumping, and the GPS says turn right ahead… oh, and you have to capture that magical photo for Instagram. This new year, try to designate at least two “tech-free” riding days per month. Listen to the leaves beneath your wheels and the whirl of the wind as you cruise your trail. It’s a great stress reliever.

Volunteer at a Biking Event

Many events in the biking community wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. To help give back to the sport you love, try volunteering at a local race or cycling club. The biking community grows every time riders like you go the extra mile to give back.  

Go on a Weekend Bike Trip

So your evening bike ride is over and back to the norm you go. Well, not so soon. Pick a weekend to take a long distance bike trip. Just plan safe travel and lodging, then go. A weekend bike trip is a great way to escape everyday routine and you don’t have to spend money on gas or endure the hustle of weekend traffic.

There are many ways cycling can help you to improve your health and well-being. As you kick-off the new year with a fresh slate of goals, always consider how your favorite two-wheeled friend may be able to help you along the way.

 

10 Quick Fixes For Holiday Stress

 

The holidays are here, and as we all know, stress can be the gift that keeps on giving. However, if you’re a bike lover, you may want to cancel that New Year’s therapy session. Here are 10 ways you can pedal through the holiday stress:

1. Avoid Parking Nightmares

As the countdown to Christmas continues, the parking lot at your local mall may look more like Dodgers Stadium during the World Series. Good luck sharkin’ for parkin’. Luckily, for bike owners, if you need to pick up a few small last-minute gifts, hop on your bike and hit the road! You’ll have much better luck finding a bike rack.

2. Turn Your Gas Money Into Gift Money

Gas prices are soaring and holiday shopping lists aren’t getting any shorter. Biking to work or during errands can save you much needed cash during the holiday season.

3. Go on a Family Bike Ride

It’s hard to argue about politics when everyone’s trying to stay in the bike lane. A family bike ride can help to ease common quarrels that arise during the holidays.

4. Avoid the Lines. Schedule a Bike Race.

Schedule a bike race for early 2018. Training for an upcoming race is a great way steer clear of the race to the new I-Phone X.

5. Join a Bike Club

The holidays can get lonely. Especially when you’re miles away from home. Joining a local bike club can help you to beat the holiday blues.

6. Two Wheels Are Better Than Four

Southern California traffic is a year-round nightmare. It’s even worse during the holiday season. Limit your automobile travel and ride your bike whenever you can. We all win.

7. Where’d The Extra Pound Go?

In-laws are so great at remembering how much you weighed last year. Keep to your training regime and keep the in-laws envious.

8. Re-Gift an Old Bike

Who needs clutter during the holidays? Re-gifting an old bike to a friend will help you to clear space around the house and it just may help that special someone discover a new hobby. Just when they thought re-gifting lacked nuance …

9. Be Spontaneous

As the new year approaches, stress may build as we take stock of the previous months, tallying up our unmet accomplishments. Cycling and spontaneous adventure go hand-in-hand, so round out the year with an impromptu weekend bike trip or cycle to a destination you’ve never been. Tee up your New Year’s Resolution with an end of year escape.

10. Don’t Stop Riding

Whether you’re spending hours in line at the retail store or you’re putting in extra hours at work to buy that special gift, there are countless reasons to abort your cycling regime during the holiday season. This time of year, as stress is surely a gift that will keep on giving, a great way to find relief is to reward yourself with the things you enjoy most. Happy holidays and happy cycling!

 

SMBC HOliday Offerings

 

As you may have noticed, the bike in the picture looks a little… well…. Different. It’s a Cargo Bike, used for groceries, going out with the family, or christmas tree shopping. We have them to rent, and also to buy!

Give us a call, or stop by the shop to explore all the ways that you can put this amazing bike to use this holiday season and beyond! Check out our offerings here!

 

November Newsletter – ABUS Gear Giveaway Previous Article January Newsletter Next Article