Power to People Who Power Themselves

Welcome to the Urbane Cyclist! We are a worker cooperative bicycle shop located in the heart of downtown Toronto.

We opened our doors on Saturday March 30, 1997. Initially, we opened to service people like ourselves -- daily commuters -- the non-lingo, plain-talking individuals. 11 years later, Urbane has evolved, grown leaps and bounds, and become one of the most cycle-friendly hubs downtown. Commuters and couriers form our core clientele, but we're also growing popular among recumbent riders, the randonneurs, and builders of alternative bikes and trailers.

Lasting Power

The Urbane Cyclist started out as a repair shop, in keeping with our commuter-oriented vision. As commuters first, durability, serviceability and quality are our main concerns. Bike shops dedicated to recreational riders often chase trends, selling low quality parts and accessories that feed into today’s throwaway culture. Our repairs have always been done with quality parts, because many of our customers ride daily, all winter long through snow and salt. We also assemble our own URBANITE bicycles with these principles of durability, serviceability and quality in mind.

Cooperative Philosophy

The Urbane Cyclist is run as a worker cooperative. Each worker-member is part owner, and all major decisions are made in a collective, non-hierarchical process. Worker cooperatives support worker’s livelihoods: a very different approach from the corporate focus on the bottom line. Co-ops aim to serve the needs of a community with integrity and a vision towards social justice and genuine alternatives to corporate culture and values.

People Power

Whether you’re cycling, roller-blading, skateboarding or on a scooter, more power to you. The Urbane Cyclist supports people-powered methods of getting around the city. We are part of an alternative transportation movement which challenges the supremacy of cars and other fossil fueled transportation.

If you are already part of a worker co-op, or are interested in the idea, feel free to contact us. Co-operatives working together, supporting each other in our work, are a natural extension of the co-op spirit.

For more information on CO-OPs, see the Ontario's Workers CO-OP page , and the Wikipedia Entry.