I'm an entrepreneur and would like to get some feedback. What could a business (coffee shop, "healthy eatery", one-stop shop) do to attract the commuter community? Some of my ideas extra bike parking, indoor bike parking, corner for quick tune-up/repair, set of loanable bike tools, few bike items for sale (tubes etc.), and local trail guides on the wall or in pocket form. What am i missing, what wouldn't work? Is this a stupid Idea altogether?

Indoor bike parking is the best idea you have on there! I wish more places had that, and if any place around me had indoor bike parking I would make myself a regular customer just on principle!

Fabulous idea but totally dependant on location.
Where I am from here in PA there wouldnt be enough
bicycle traffic to support it alone. In one ot the cities
there probably would be but outside of them I dont think
it would be able to sustain itself, unfortunately.

Interesting idea. Are you near a main commuter thoroughfare?

Maps and other bikish paper goods is a good thought. Energy bars and sports drinks, patch kits, free floor pump. Covered bike parking or indoor bike policy are good. How about some sort of to-go containers that can be easily suspended from a bike. Alternatively, how about stocking up those nifty bike paper cup holders? Then you could have a cyclist drive-through window as well.

I'd hit up a place that I could ride up to, order, and hang my coffee from my bars.

Oh no, your idea is definately not stupid! It is just a little ahead of it's time. Here in Southern California, this idea is already in use. In Long Beach CA, There is a bicycle valet parking/bike shop facillities/bike rental already up in running in the new downtown civic center. I visited there without my bicycles and I was not very impressed with their customer service. They were quite rude. So it is not so much whether a service is offered, but how the customer base is handled. I really don't need to be depended on this type of service as the bike I travel with is simply folded up when needed to be taken with me somewhere indoors.

Free air, up to about 120PSI would be good, and sale of common items as you've mentioned is a really good idea. Indoor parking- GREAT! But don't expect it to carry your business through the slow times though, but it surely won't hurt. You might even see if you can get a local bike shop to provide you with some inventory, and they could have a 'satellite' location at your coffee shop. I wouldn't provide any tools though, that's just waiting to be taken advantage of. Here's what I'd sell:
Common 700C size tubes
Common 26" tubes
Tire irons (pack of 3)
Patch kit (real kind not stick ons)
A half decent multi-tool
Mid-range frame pump

Keep stock low until you develop some business, and repeat bike customers. Adjust as necessary. Stock quality stuff. Us commuters can spot cheap or overpriced stuff from afar, so don't even bother unless you can match the local bike shop on prices.

Anyhow it sounds like a fantastic idea that I really like.

Even just a rack under an overhang so the rider doesn't have to leave your store and cycle home (or wherever) on a wet seat - when it's raining.

Here are some low budget ideas
* Free water or water fillups (posted on a sign) is another idea.
* Show up with your helmet, get a free refill on coffee (or whatever)
* Bike Friday (advertise your special to riders who come by bike on Fridays)
* Bike rack by the store window - in full view of bike accessories like snacks, waterbottles etc.

You can also check with area clubs and find out their routes. Maybe if the club is arranging a ride, you can work with the ride-leader to arrange for them to in your area to "fuel up".

Many people who commute do not have a shower at their workplace.

Indoor bike parking and a good selection of cold microbrews.

Paul

to approach perfection you would need:

-- indoor secure parking
-- showers and lockers for commuters
-- bike shop and repair service
-- coffee
-- food
-- beer
-- couch

and it would have to be in the right spot.

A "walk up" window would be nice. Whenver I'm on a long ride, I like to pick up cold drinks, food, etc, from the saddle. In practise I usually go to hot dog stands, but if you offered an order window, I would likely go there for drinks, snacks, etc.

For longer breaks, indoor bike parking, supplies, etc. would be great.

this is a great place in Denver / Cherry Creek neighborhood, which is a dense mix of business and mostly shopping. I've popped in to get some air.

https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/st...21/story7.html
https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...45/detail.html

Not really a coffee shop, but if there were more small places like this scattered throughout the city it would be a great start. Maybe start a franchise that serves breakfast too!

Indoor bike parking, emergency bike accessories, free open access WiFi, and a barber on duty. I offer three of those services already....

Don't forget water bottles for those who dropped thier's on the road of just forgot it.

I was just thinking about this today. How could my employer (coffeeshop) better accomodate cyclists? My first suggestion would be a bike rack, preferably covered. Racks are rather cheap, especially when compared to the price of car parking spaces. Also, contact all the local bike clubs to let them know about your location. Offer grand opening for cyclists, give away water bottles or energy gel packets, offer discount to club rides of 10+ cyclists. The Wednesday morning club I always go on has been stopping at the same restraunt for several years, even though it has no bike racks. Also, advertise in the club newsletter (I always give preference to businesses that support our club). End. I have a ride tomorrow, I'll probably come up with more ideas.

That's a great response. Basically, commuters may be a market you'd like to target, but broaden your thinking. Think about cyclists in general. There's a barbecue place here that's exceedingly bike friendly. They have valet bike parking every day, they have TdF rides and breakfasts (live coverage), any time there's a big bike event they're usually involved, etc, etc.

Basically they like bikes and bikers and they get themselves involved in biking events. Consequently, many cyclists patronize their establishment and think of them as a logical first choice whenever looking for a venue for some sort of cyclist's event.

I'd have to echo what bostontrevor just said. By definition, commuters are going somewhere. Some may want to stop for breakfast on the way to work. Others way want to have dinner, pick up something, or have a drink on the way home. My guess is that the homebound commuters will be in less of a hurry and have more time to spare.

I don't think commuters are likely to be attracted by most of your proposed services. They know where they are going, so they don't need maps. They either carry their own tools/parts or ride reliable bikes. Basically, you need a broader market. Think of cyclists in general. If you are in an area where car parking is very tight, catering to cyclists and neighborhood people is probably a sound plan. Good luck.


Paul

Wow,
Thanks for all the great feedback. Looks like I need to rethink some ideas.

I can not add substantially to what has been offered, but do have a slight twist.

In my small efforts at utility cycling I have found parking to be the biggest nuisance. I would like to see a bike rack near the door, with two features that are not present in most places I visit. The bike parking area should be covered in some way so a person can stand by the rack and fuss with the bike, locks, cargo, etc. and not get wet if it is raining. This could be just an overhang on the roof, or an awning. Indoor parking would be wonderful, but probably unrealistic. In addition, I personally would feel better if the bike rack were in some spot such that it was under constant observation, like maybe by a busy door, or in front of a window, maybe with a real or fake surveillance camera. This would ease fears of theft or vandalism.

If you are at the level of constructing your own building (instead of renting an existing place) I have noticed something about the construction of Minneapolis, MN, where I live, that might be relevant. There are enough freeways and major streets that the city is divided into zones by them. Either by design or accident, traffic gets funneled out into the main roads. If you want to get some place that is not in the zone you yourself are currently in, then you have to eventually go out on one of those busy streets, and then go in the "front door" of the destination, which usually is a parking lot facing a busy street. I think that any shopping area should have some sort of back door that can be used by feet or bicycles, and not at all by cars. Many times you see a shopping area where the back side is blocked off by a fence, and any part of the parking lot that does not face the busy street has a curb around it. Access to a shopping area off the main street might encourage people to "run to the store" by bike if they knew it could be done safely. Maybe even more kids would go to the store by bike if their parents knew it was safe.

Is there something special about the commuter community? Extend your goodwill to all, including commuters. I say this because your product isn't really that specialized, and relying on a core group of customers who can get the same thing elsewhere is rather foolhardy.

In St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, there's a place called the Depot Coffeehouse. (curious all these places are called the Depot) It's run by the local school district. You ride right up to the bike racks without getting on the street. Pretty cool, but not a money making venture I'd guess.

The biggest draw for me would be some sort of secure parking.

The ability to fill up my water bottle would be nice, even nicer if I could buy some sort of sport drink to fill it up with and Ice.

Free air, Pat repair kits for sale, maybe even tubes. Just think out riding, get a flat crusie in for a coffe and a tube

TVs showing cycling events. We get so little coverage in the states and for early morning commuters might be nice to catch stage racing from europe live. Or even tape delay would be good.

My picks

Indoor/protected parking
Cold/hot beverages
Free Air
Breakfast/snack foods (fruits, vegs, pastries, bars, etc)
Patch kits/tubes
Maybe some basic clothes (tshirts, etc) for people who forgot to pack them