Bike businesses seeing boom based on Metro summer shutdown

Bike shops in Alexandria tell FOX 5 they have been busy with people buying or repairing bikes to avoid the summer shutdown on Metro impacting stations south of Reagan National Airport.

Velocity Bicycle Cooperative, Conte's Bike Shop and Big Wheel Bikes all tell FOX 5 people are coming in specifically to purchase bikes or inquire about biking as an alternative route to the shutdown.

"For a couple months now people have been coming in wanting to fix their old bicycles to commute into DC or actually buying another refurbished bicycle from us to make the trip," said Velocity volunteer Mike Pattisall.

The City of Alexandria has also posted signs to guide new bike riders to the Mt. Vernon Trail.

"We're pretty active so it's either schlep all the way to Pentagon City and then get on or you know Reagan or take the bikes in. If it's nice might as well," said bike commuter Christiana Haynes.

Volunteers with the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Committee have begun a mentor program which paired volunteers with new cyclists considering a bike commute as an option.

"I went with [my mentee] to practice the route. We did some different loop de loops to figure out alternative plans. I wanted her to know the bailing points so if a thunderstorm comes through or she can't make the whole distance. Where are the metros you can get on, what bus can you put your bike on," said Carolyn Schroeder, a volunteer with Alexandria BPAC.