The Bicycle Junction is a community hub. It’s a place where “Wellingtonians” can meet and connect with each other. Dubbed “the neighbourhood bikery,” the junction is more than just a shop; beyond simply selling and fixing bikes, they also host workshops to teach people all about them – as well as events that celebrate the fun of cycling culture. “It’s all tied together through the hospitality and welcoming nature of the space,” explains Daniel Mikkelsen, bike enthusiast, chef and Bicycle Junction owner.
“We often refer to the butchers and bakeries of past, which served the daily needs of their community while being a place where people said their hellos and shared their news. Bikery is a play on this everyday meeting place, but it also reflects that we are more than just a bike shop where products are sold … Our customers are our guests and we treat them as we would a friend we are welcoming in our home.”
Armed with such a fantastic attitude, it’s no surprise that the Bicycle Junction outgrew its original space, recently relocating to a new spot in the heart of Wellington’s laneway district – the perfect place for an urban bikery.
“The new shop is a little bigger but still has a cosy, small shop feel,” says Mikkelsen. “We wanted it to be a place where people feel comfortable and welcome, whether they are purely in for a coffee or visiting for something bike-related. We created a space that felt this way while being flexible enough to function as a shop, workshop and cafe while also hosting the many types of community events people want.”
“We’re all about encouraging those who don’t ride bikes to be encouraged to start. Hopefully we’ve created a place where bike-curious Wellingtonians will be inspired to [take up] a life by bike.”
Before we first spotted A Cycling Lexicon, bicycle headbadges had been a little off our radar – no longer. The tiny addition to your bike headset kind of gets lost in the grand scheme of a bike, but it shouldn’t. These miniature works of art are incredible and steeped in a history that has one easily turning the pages of this phenomenal book. Which brings us to Jeff Connor, a biology professor from Michigan with a passion for headbadges who believes that: “Whatever the symbol, whatever the design, every badge has a story of provenance and personality to tell.” With such eloquence it’s easy to see how he convinced design studio Carter Wong to turn his collection into a book. The 400 gold-leafed pages of bicycle art, craftsmanship and detail are a must have for any enthusiast.
carterwongdesign.com
gingkopress.com
Folding bikes are obviously fantastic but they often come with a difficult choice: large wheels and limited portability, or small pack-size but with tiny little wheels. The Sada Bike eliminates this compromise by utilising standard bicycles dimensions—it uses 26-inch wheels—but incorporating a sleek, hubless design that means as the frame folds away (to the size of an umbrella) it comes apart from the wheels to maximize portability. Pretty nifty huh?
The Burrito Handlebar Bag is the perfect little stash bag for your keys, wallet, phone and snacks. Equal to a California burrito, this bag measures eight inches long and three inches wide. Take a bite and jump right in!
Words: Eleanor Scott
These articles originally appeared in issues 20 and 21 of Treadlie Magazine.