MOBO Bicycle Co-op

I bought a good solid bike from good solid people. The idea of a co-​op that teaches people about bicycles and plants is a Service to the whole community.

When both my apartment and my office moved to new locations, I realized I had a roughly flat 4 miles between home and work. Perfect for bicycle commuting.
I was still sporting my Schwinn mountain bike I had bought with my birthday money at the wise old age of 13, and it had developed a nicely crusted patina of rust on the chain, gears, cables, etc.
But why buy a new bike a mere decade later? Why not fix this up?
Well, because I have no tools, and I have no idea how. That’s why.
That’s where MOBO comes in. They have tools, and they have knowhow.
And they’re nice, really really nice.
3 seasons out of the year, the yard outside the shop is full of all types: neighbor kids always, hardcore riders taking advantage of the tools, total newbs (like me) getting advice from the volunteer mechanics, some just hanging out.
And the mechanics here are really excellent, they share their knowledge but don’t show it off. Some types of bike people reek elitism, and it can be off-​putting. I think that MOBO doesn’t have this is extremely important to their greater mission. In addition to the shop and the volunteer mechanics, the co-​op advocates for cycling and transit in Cincinnati. The welcome environment at the shop is consistent with the very non-​elite message that everyone can ride. It just makes the experience.
I think this is an amazing resource to have in the community, especially if you are just looking to get into riding like I was. I went from nothing to commuting 2 – 4 times a week for stretches this spring and summer. Now i’m so hooked, I’m building a bike with their help this winter.

I took a tour of MOBO when I was already at the community garden last spring, and I was impressed by the number of people working on their bikes mid-​day. The co-​op offers lots of help for those who ride but don’t know much about repair work, and even has summer programs for kids. Chances are if you need a part or tool, MOBO will have it, as well as someone willing to show you the ropes.

I showed up with $ 20 in my hand, ready to join. Unfortunately the last membership paper had been handed to the person in front of me and I haven’t been back so my knowledge of the co-​op is sort of limited. I realized later that evening that I felt silly joining a bicycle co-​op that I had to drive to in order to reach easily. Regardless of my limitations, Mobo has been proving itself as a great, locally operated non-​profit for over a year now. If you are unfamiliar with Mobo, they are «a non-​profit, volunteer-​run collective dedicated to providing every member of the Tri-​State area access to bicycles, maintenance, and education».
I pulled up with my bicycle and my girlfriend stuffed into the back seat and our friend Christiana riding shotgun. The bike stayed in the car but the rest of us got a personalized tour from a cute girl with a belt made from bullet casings. We also ran into an avid biker we know from the local bars volunteering his time. During the tour we were shown the area where the bicycle frames are kept. It’s well know that even with a good lock you can have your bicycle stolen and Christiana had lost her baby the autumn before. Down in the dark basement she squealed with excitement when she found the frame to her stolen bike and went into a general tirade about the scum that had certainly stolen it. What was really cool was she was able to ticket it so she could come back later and start rebuilding it.
The co-​op offers regular workshops, fundraisers and community rides. My only complaint is that it’s not closer to my current residence.