Bikestock Debuts Its First Bike Parts Vending Machine In Brooklyn

Image via Instagram/bikestock

Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood just got a little bicycle-friendlier. Bikestock recently set up its first vending machine for bicyclists, offering products like patch kits, tubes, ponchos and food, as well as seasonal products like hand warmers.

So far there’s only one vending machine location – at Brooklyn’s Natural at 49 Bogart Street – but the company hopes to branch out very soon by pairing with bike-friendly companies.

Image via Instagram/bikestock

Image via Instagram/bikestock

Companies that don’t have room for a full vending machine can opt for a simpler toolkit, which contains basic emergency equipment like tubes and patch kits. So far, Calexico Greenpoint at 645 Manhattan Avenue is the only place with such a toolkit. Bikestock says those are better suited for retail establishments that make deliveries by bike and want to share biking resources with the public.

The website says Bikestock locations will be important for urban cyclists who inevitably face unexpected issues like rain and flat tires. Bikestock makes self-service bike repair available at any time, filling in the gaps left by traditional bike shops and enhancing an existing biking infrastructure.

Image via Instagram/bikestock

Image via Instagram/bikestock

Cofounder Matthew von Ohlen says the idea for vending machines came from from similar services in other bike-heavy cities like Minneapolis, according to ANIMAL.