Current Members

Urbane Cyclist Co-op isn't just a regular neighbourhood bicycle shop; it's a worker-owned co-operative! In case you're not familiar, worker-owned cooperatives like ours are businesses owned and governed by their employees. This means decisions are made collectively, ensuring everyone has a voice and a stake in the success of the enterprise. It's a model that prioritizes equity, democracy, and solidarity, embodying a refreshing alternative to traditional hierarchical structures. Worker co-ops are a testament to the power of collective ownership and passion, and as a worker co-operative, we thrive under the stewardship of our members who are not only part-owners, but actively work on the day-to-day operations of the establishment. Working every day alongside dedicated full-time and part-time employees, members form the backbone of our team.

Regular member meetings help us envision the "big picture" of our journey as a business — where we stand now and where we're destined to go, along with allowing us to engage in collective decisionmaking on the regular processes of running a business! Through this lateral power structure, our decisions are not made in isolation but through the collective wisdom and vision of those who breathe life into our store.

Each worker-owner injects their own unique blend of personality, interests, and joy into the mix, creating the distinctive flavor that defines our shop. This amalgamation of individuality not only enriches our environment but also fuels the consensus that shapes our direction and purpose. We strive to be not only the most knowledgeable and well-stocked shop, but also the most passionate, friendly, and driven team as well! The worker-owner members are our shop's special sauce.

Here is who we are in alphabetical order (by last name, which we didn't display (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ ):

Owen (he/him), Marketing Lead & Sales

“I've always been somewhat fanatical about bikes, I got my first bike at age 3 and haven't looked back. When I began commuting by bike in high school I felt the joy and excitement cycling could offer and my original cycling obsession returned only stronger this time! During my time at OCADU I began working at a bike shop to help pay for my tuition (and bike parts...) and I began to properly explore the Don Valley trail system and I discovered my love of riding off-road. I am lucky that through my work at Urbane I get to introduce people to all the different types of fun cycling has to offer everyday. I lead rides with Urbane Adventure Club so hit me up if you want to join! I am a gear nerd and retro-grouch which shows on most of my bike builds; usually pieced together bit by bit with a mix of old and new and some kooky twist.”

Current Bikes : Bassi Hog's Back Custom, Marin El Roy, Surly 1x1, Miata Duplicross Tandem, Raleigh Twenty fixed gear folding bike

Gabe (he/him), Master Sales Pal

Gabe works in Sales! :)

Current Bikes: Velo Orange Neutrino Alfine 8, Marin Nicasio 1, Mercier Kilo WT single speed

Sasha (he/him), Service Lead

Sasha loves building bikes from the frame up - bonus points for 90's steel - and will inevitably put a dynamo wheel and swept back handlebars on any bike project. Also known for listening to techno and sharing photos of tiny dogs.

Current Bikes: All-City Gorilla Monsoon Custom, Early 90's Marinoni Mountain Special Dog-Commuter, 1989 Miyata 1000 LT Basket Jammer, All-City Super Pro Custom.

Rory (He/Him), Service Writer, Mechanic

Brenden (He/Him), Parts & Sales

“I was born and raised in East York, and have lived within 5km of lake Ontario for 35 years! My father is an old school Fred, who introduced cycling to me at a young age and taught me to love life on two wheels. As I grew, cycling grew with me and offered me a level of freedom in moving around East York and Scarborough that I've never relinquished! Working as a teenager and young adult at D'ornellas Bike Shop introduced me to Eon D'ornellas who taught me the hustle required to make a bike shop successful, and helped develop pride in helping people get the best bike and best parts for any ride. My hobbies outside the shop include pathological Raptors fandom, shredding gnar and taking long walks in the neighbourhoods, ravines and valleys that define Toronto.”

Nickname: Doc
Current Bikes: Focus Black Forest 29er, Land Shark Road Shark, Marin Cortina AX 2, Norco CCX, Norco Tactic

Veronica (They/Her), Marketing Co-ordinator & Sales

Veronica is a queer eldest child of a diasporic family, fourth-generation resident of Tkaronto's Chinatown, Scorpio sun and Aquarius moon, and enthusiastic bike enjoyer. For them, all bikes are good bikes, and they believe bikes are an instrumental tool for social change, a vehicle for protest, and act of resistance in climate justice and liberation in oppressive urban infrastructures. Outside of the shop, they are a designer, artist, and multi-instrumental musician with enthusiasm and love for sharing food and making art with good friends and chosen family. They are also a caretaker of an 18-year-old chinchilla. ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ ♡

Nicknames: Vero Orange (self-applied), Veroni Baloney (not self-applied)
Current Bikes: Diamondback Cross Campus (built at Charlie's FreeWheels!), Marin Four Corners

Em (They/Them), Service Writer & Mechanic

Em has been working with bikes for the better half of a decade. They have a habit of [re]building bikes from the frame up and veering off road whenever possible.

Trish (She/Her), Parts Lead

Reba (She/Her), Admin Lead & Sales

“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a bike. Biking is freedom! Freedom to travel, exercise, work, haul stuff, and just have fun. I got into bicycle riding year round in 1987 when I started working as a bicycle courier. Who’d have imagined that you could get paid to ride your bike? Since then I have fully immersed myself in the bicycle industry as a bicycle mechanic, store owner/co-owner/co-operator, a bike adventurer, a bike tour leader, an advocate, and most importantly a bike rider.”

Current Bikes: Bianchi City Bike, Devinci Destination Touring Bike, Salsa BearGrease Fat Bike, Breezer Folding Bike, Urbanite Commuter, Bilenky Cargo Bike, Burley Rivazza Tandem

Sam (she/her), Sales Lead

Are you stoked about finding the best bike? Sam might be stoked more! Sam believes that cycling is for everyone, and is happiest when she can empower people to ride more. When not biking, Sam likes to read, weave on her loom, find vintage skorts, play Joni covers on the guitar and camp with friends.

Nicknames: Salami, the Star Chairman, Bike Therapist.
Current Bikes: Velo Orange Polyvalent Low Kicker Custom, Surly Bridge Club Winter Commuter Edition, Shreddy Urbanite Junction.