Almost a decade in the making, new bicycle hub aims to close Utah transportation gaps

May 3, 2024 by Evan Curtis
Transportation

Almost a decade in the making, new bicycle hub aims to close Utah transportation gaps

KSL.com, By Carter Williams

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Sean Murphy brought his gloves and boots with him when Bicycle Collective broke ground on a new hub in October 2022, so he could remind himself there was still a lot of work ahead for the nonprofit.

About 1½ years later, standing in the lobby of the three-story building, Murphy, now the former chairman of the Bicycle Collective board, unbuttoned his jacket to show a crowd around him he brought his “party shirt” this time around — a festive organization-themed mechanic shirt.

Thursday was indeed a party for the 22-year-old organization, as it formally opened its new hub location in Salt Lake City. The ceremony came almost seven years after The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City selected the nonprofit to develop a quarter-acre lot near 900 South and 300 West within the budding Granary District.

“This has been a long, awesome, challenging journey getting here,” said Donna Matturro McAleer, the organization’s executive director. “This dream is nearly 10 years in the making. This hub is the launchpad to increase our impact throughout Utah.”

Bicycle Collective was created in 2002, serving Salt Lake City first. The mostly volunteer-based organization restores donated bicycles, which are then given to Utahns from low- and moderate-income households, newly arriving refugees, those experiencing homelessness or anyone else in need. It also sells bikes, bike parts and bike accessories, and the proceeds are then used to help cover the cost of bike donations.

Many people ride bicycles for recreation; however, McAleer points out they are much more than that. In this case, they are solutions to transportation hurdles for those who can’t afford a car so they can reach their job or a job interview, grocery stores, school or health care appointment.

The organization works with dozens of community partners to determine who would best benefit from a bike. Over 1,300 bikes were handed out in 2023, according to the group’s website.

“We’re laser-focused on transportation equity,” she said. “Transportation is a formidable barrier to economic mobility. … Practical and affordable, a bike contributes to economic well-being, emotional stability and physical health. It is a simple, eco-friendly transportation option.”

While it has grown to add locations in Ogden, Provo and St. George over time, it never really had a central location to offer every service it wanted. The wheels started to turn on that front when the Salt Lake City RDA offered the land for a hub in 2017, eating up the $280,000 cost of the land in exchange for the services the facility will provide the community.

The RDA also agreed to a $1.4 million bridge loan, which McAleer said the organization is working to repay to operate debt-free. Several philanthropic donations also helped Bicycle Collective pay for the multimillion dollar project.

Salt Lake City Councilman Dan Dugan said city leaders found it was easy for the city to partner with the organization because of what the project offered. The new 19,000-square-foot facility now serves as that much-desired flagship location. There’s a space for bike repairs next to a retail space on the first floors, but there are also spaces for classes and community workshops.

It’s also located along the growing 9 Line trail, which serves as the largest east-west trail connection within city limits, and across the street from the city’s forthcoming Fleet Block project that aims to feature affordable housing, commercial spaces and a new public square.

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