Before we start with our storytelling, let me tell you some facts found in our research.Since the year 2000 London has seen a 107 per cent increase in cyclists.
Some 545,000 daily bicycle journeys are made in London - a 9% increase according to 2009 figures (EveningStandard.co.uk)
This is due to more and more incentives from the governments like the Bike 2 work Scheme.The tax break scheme allows consumers to buy a bike out of their salary before it is taxed. On top of this tax-break, the bike is also free from VAT. This can save customers hundreds of pounds on their new bikes. Moreover, many becomes frequent cyclist as a result of this scheme according to a report from Transport for London. Also the rise in petrol prices and train fares has been a major reason for people to in the capital to commute wit a bike.
Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London invested in 2010 £111million on cycling infrastructure like this network of cycle highways in the capital.
Now , an story telling to give the Dragons and Idea of how a member of The bike Surgeon can benefit from the service we would like to offer.Here is Eddy, he commutes to London on his bike everyday.
Eddy, has recently noticed that the gear system in his bike has not been performing properly, making squeaking noises and jumping gears all the time.
A friend and fellow cyclist told him about “the bike surgeon” This is a bike shop far from the norms of a conventional bike shop, in this bike shop he can do his own DIY repair service thus costing much less of those from traditional bike repair shops. When he entered the shop the friendly bike technician talked him through the £50 annual membership and the hourly rates for the tools, he like what heard and became a member.
he wanted to get to work on his bike straight away so the technician showed him down to the workshop He took one of the freebike stand and he started to work.
Eddy was amazed by all the tool that were provided so much so he did not know what some of then did, he asked the technician and he explained that that strange shaped tool was a frame alignner, so this gives him access to the specialized bike tools needed to work on bikes.
The expert supervises Eddy and tells him what to do to solve the problem on his bike. As indexing the gears is quite tricky job for an amateur but the technician was with him every step of the way.
After fixing his gears, he also takes the opportunity to ask the technician why his brake is not as responsive as it used to when it was new. The mechanic responds that occurs because the wire and cables needs to be replaced once a year in the case of someone cycling almost everyday. Eddy takes few minutes and replaces the cables for new ones. Again with guidance of the mechanic.
After finished. Eddy pays for the usage of one hour that took him to do the jobs needed on its bike.
The cost for 1 hour of using the stand, tools and professional advice. All that £4.
He thenexpend and extra £5 for the cost of the brake cables needed.The total sum comes to: £9
In comparison with a typical Bike repair shop in the area this would have cost him £13.95 (Labour Only!) + £5 cable parts: £ 18.95
Eddy saved £9.95
He then spots his friend Jimmy in the café, where they bought latte talk and relax
They are joined by some jimmy's friends who are regulars at the bike surgeron, they inform eddy of “tour du le peak district” they are organising next weekend and invite eddy to join them.
Eddy then goes home satisfied with the emotional and cognitive need the bike surgeon provided him in repairing his own bike and saving money.
This model of DIY open workshop for Bikes is already being active in France as seen in this picture where one of our business partner was a member (Luis).
We also found this business model in Holland.
In Portland USA.
And more closely in Edinburg.
Apart from work commuters, another strong segment that we believe will become a member and use our service regularly are the bike enthusiast.
We also expect to see some Father-Son bonding time in our workshop.
Or Cyclists just wanting to chill in our café area where their bikes are welcome.
