Dear Hometown Family,
You know our stance on the essential nature of bicycle service during this challenging time. Many of you saw us leading the charge on a recent Hometown interview with Channel 7 news, where Shaun was quoted as saying:
Above: Screenshot from Channel 7 news story – CLICK HERE to watch
In an Executive Order that encourages citizens “To engage in outdoor activity, including walking, hiking, running, cycling…,” the status of bicycle repair as an essential business was left unclear. We believe – along with the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB), industry partners, and other State governments – that bicycle repair is necessary.
We are so proud of our Crew that, wherever able, individually elected to help man the shop, and support our community’s bicycle recreation and transportation needs.
But we have just now received word on the latest round of Michigan’s “essential business” clarifications, and Bicycle Repair DID NOT make the list.
From our wonderful contacts at LMB:
“… while we have asked for a change in state policy to designate bicycle repair as a critical infrastructure service, that is NOT the current policy. Bicycle repair is NOT currently listed as an “essential service”… Violating the Order may be extremely detrimental to the future of your business. It may also put our efforts in jeopardy.”
With the looming threat of fines and revoked business licenses, regretfully,
WE MUST IMMEDIATELY CLOSE OUR DOORS.
For all of you with service bikes at the shop, we will be contacting you within the next few days.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message us on Facebook, which we will continue to monitor through the shutdown.
As much as we wish to continue supporting your bicycle repair needs during this crisis, we respect and support the decisions being made for the best interest of all.
This is where we need your help.
We are a seasonal business, now being thrown into a “second winter” that we simply cannot afford. Knowing that the coming 6 months will be the biggest hill Hometown ever climbed…
- If we’ve been there for you when you needed us…
- If you share our beliefs…
- If you advocate for cycling and small business…
- If you love bicycles and cycling…
Please, consider supporting Hometown Bicycles below:
Stay active. Stay strong. Stay pedaling, Hometownies.
With warmest love and gratitude,
Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Crew
Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle repair, bicycles, bikes, breaking news, Coronavirus, COVID-19 Shutdown, cycling, cyclists, donate, Executive Order COVID-19, gofundme, Hometown Bicycles, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan, WXYZ Channel 7 News | Leave a comment »
