Business
BY SARAH HERNANDEZ
Since 2012, South Austin bicycle repair shop Bike- alot has been on a mission to promote sustainability, quality and safety to its local community. The backstory Brad Wimberly opened Bikealot at 4418 Pack Saddle Pass, Austin, in the spring of 2012, later moving to its current location in Crockett Center on Menchaca Road. He and his wife Jeni work at the shop. Brad Wimberly said he decided to own a bike shop in high school when he worked at various repair shops and spent the rest of his time at skate parks and delivering mail and packages in Houston. His courier friends nicknamed him “bike-a-lot.” “The decision had been made at a pretty early age,” Brad Wimberly said. “So bicycle shops remained part of my life.” What they o er Bikealot o ers bicycle repairs and sells upright and drop bar commuter bikes, gravel grinders, kids bikes and mountain bikes, as well as parts, tools, accessories and gear. Brad Wimberly said they focus on utilitarian and practical bike investments. “After around 30 years in the bicycle industry, I enjoy helping other people who have projects and come in to nd the right tool for the next stage of that bicycle rebuild. ...” Brad Wimberly said. “I really enjoy keeping people safer riding bikes and just like selling bright rechargeable lights, has actually brought me a lot of joy, just to know that people are out there equipped.” Jeni Wimberly said they can also help cyclists nd their routes because transportation safety is import- ant to them. They advocated for the bike lanes on Jones Road when Bikealot was on Pack Saddle Pass. “We try to help the community know how to stay engaged or know what’s going on. ...” Brad Wim- berly said “Trying to use our tools, like the website, to help bring the community together around issues that matter. Also of note The Wimberlys said sustainability is important at Bikealot. “When you’re getting from Point A to Point B with a lower carbon footprint, then you can feel like you’re part of the solutions that we need in the world,” Jeni Wimberly said. “We’re so passionate about that, that we’ve made sustainability our South Austin’s Bikealot provides path to safety, sustainability
Brad and Jeni Wimberly and their dog Pashley operate Bikealot.
PHOTOS BY SARAH HERNANDEZ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Brad Wimberly said he has been working in the bicycling industry for about 30 years.
Bikealot sells a variety of bicycle parts, tools, accessories and gear.
bottom line at Bikealot.” She said they believe in the triple bottom line: people, planet and pro t. They want to o er cus- tomers quality products that will last and ensure the process to get there is sustainable and e cient. In turn, they said it draws people outside to use their community resources like greenbelts and trails. “The nature in Austin has been beautifully preserved,” Jeni Wimberly said. “We have access to a lot more green belts and trails thanks to people who really fought for our community just a few generations ago, and we want to carry that forward.”
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5330 Menchaca Road, Ste. C, Austin www.bikealotaustin.com
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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