The Rockville Bike Hub was recently notified by our landlord FRIT (Federal Realty Investment Trust), that they are writing a lease for the space in Courthouse Square that we have been occupying. Since FRIT had given RBH a discounted monthly rate, our agreement with FRIT was that when a long-term tenant was found, RBH would be given 30 days to move out. Because of this, our local community bike shop needs to move.
Because we have had indoor space, giving RBH the ability to work year-round, the 2025 TERRIFIC Kids program will not be impacted by this change. All projections using the 2024 TERRIFIC participation data show that we have enough 16”, 20”, and 24” bikes for the May 2025 distribution. However, depending on our ability to secure another indoor space, and the length of this disruption in operations, our ability to meet future needs may be impacted. Also, our ability to provide repaired bikes for Montgomery County's Bike Match program will need to be suspended until we secure indoor space again.
We are grateful that FRIT leased us valuable space at a discount that allowed RBH to plan, prepare, and repair bicycles so that they could re-enter the community and provide a means of transportation for the Rockville and Montgomery County communities for more than 3 years. During this time we have built a community of volunteers, networked with the residents of Rockville and Montgomery County, and secured funding from generous donors and grants.
One story showing the circular nature of RBH’s work to put bikes back into the community happened in December of 2024 during our last week of shop hours before the holidays. As we wrapped up the workstations putting away the repair tools, a customer came in with a donation. They brought with them a Nishiki teal and royal blue 24” bike with a RBH sticker verifying that the bike originally came from RBH. Their son had outgrown the bike and it was being re-donated from an alumni of the TERRIFIC Kids program from 2021 – the year we first moved into the current indoor space.
Although we are saddened by this uprooting during our 10th year anniversary, our hope is to continue to provide the City of Rockville and its youth refurbished bicycles through the TERRIFIC Kids program. Future years may have challenges but hopefully, we will find a space that is re-donated, or re-allocated and paid forward like the Nishiki bicycle. Like a bicycle wheel with a hub at its center, RBH may be moving, but we will continue to be the hub connecting the community on two wheels, and will bring that community to our new location.
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