After 16 years of serving the Iowa City community from various locations, the Iowa City Bike Library has found a permanent home. February marked a pivotal moment, dubbed “The Final Drag; A New Bicycling Frontier,” as the organization prepared to move into its newly purchased building. Executive Director Audrey Wiedemeier expressed excitement about this significant step, stating, “In the last 16 years, the Bike Library has taken refuge in a lot of different locations, but we’ve purchased our own building and can now put down some roots.” The doors to the new location at 1222 S. Gilbert Court officially opened on March 1st, ushering in a new era for the beloved community resource.
The relocation was necessitated by the purchase of the Bike Library’s previous premises by developers. This prompted the non-profit to seek a new space to continue its core mission: refurbishing donated bicycles and making them accessible to the public. Wiedemeier emphasized the strategic advantage of the new site, highlighting its central position within Iowa City’s cycling network.
“We’re excited about the location,” she noted. “It’s still within walking distance of the campus. It’s closer to the south district, where we have many partnerships, and it’s pretty close to the riverfront crossing trails. Our new location is nestled in this triangle between a lot of people we serve.” This improved accessibility is expected to enhance the Bike Library’s reach and impact within the community.
Mike Haverkamp, a Bike Library Board Member, pointed out that this move is the fourth in the organization’s history since its inception in 2004. He acknowledged the magnitude of the undertaking, especially for a non-profit, but underscored its necessity. The previous location, situated in a basement accessible only by a winding staircase, presented logistical challenges. The new one-story building promises greater convenience and operational efficiency, although Haverkamp humorously remarked on the potential impact on his fitness levels due to the elimination of stair climbing.
Audrey Wiedemeier at the new Iowa City Bike Library location
Despite the increased space, boasting 7,000 square feet, Haverkamp anticipates the Bike Library will quickly adapt to fill it. He playfully commented, “The Bike Library is a gas, and we expand to the volume of our container.” The organization relies heavily on bicycle and parts donations from the community, and Haverkamp credited a surge in donations during the pandemic, possibly influenced by Marie Kondo’s tidying movement and increased leisure time at home.
The pandemic itself played a significant role in boosting the popularity of cycling. Karen Stierler, another Bike Library board member, observed this trend, stating, “With COVID-19, I think the whole biking thing has gotten bigger. Just getting outside for sanity’s sake has been so popular, so I think we’ve been able to send a lot of bikes out the door.” Nationwide, bike equipment and repair sales experienced a dramatic increase in 2020, reflecting a renewed interest in cycling for recreation and transportation.
To celebrate this new chapter, the Iowa City Bike Library organized “The Final Drag” event on February 28th. Wiedemeier explained, “On February 28 at 5:00, we are inviting our volunteers, donors, and anyone who wants to dress in drag and meet at 700 South Dubuque Street to ride to our new location.” This fun, community-focused event was designed to mark the symbolic journey to their permanent home, embracing the themes of freedom associated with both cycling and self-expression. The Iowa City Bike Library looks forward to continuing its mission of promoting cycling and community engagement from its new, more accessible location on Gilbert Court.
