Now that the Citi Bike share program is open to all New Yorkers, there are sure to be even more folks needing bike parts and other riding-related apparatus on-the-go. Express Biker anticipated this demand and has launched two of its self-service vending machines offering bike-related emergency products (like patches for popped tires) in Brooklyn. Forget walking miles to the nearest bike shop or cursing the skies when service centers are closed. These on-demand, 24-hour kiosks will make getting bike repair supplies as easy as purchasing a bag of chips or a soda.
Pioneered by Crown Heights, Brooklyn resident and amateur cyclist Shimon Kivman, the Express Biker vending machine features an array of swipe and grab items for bikers that run into trouble on the road. With the swipe of a credit card, riders can shop the kiosk for tubes, lights, patch kits and other tools ranging from $5 to $30. Currently, there are two kiosks serving Brooklyn: one at the Emporium Gas Station on the border of South Williamsburg and Bedstuy, and the other at the Mobil Gas station a few blocks from Prospect Park.
“We take care of everything. We stock it and we make sure it works. You just plug it in,” said Shiman Kivman to DNAInfo on ways local businesses can partner to offer the service to their customers. “The whole machine has been customized.”
The vending machines will also score a big win with runners who need to recharge with nutrition gel packs or have to grab dry bags for their smart phones during a sudden downpour. As the Express Biker continues its expansion in the city, cyclists and runners will appreciate having these kiosks available along major routes stocked with customized products based on the needs of the area.
Via DNA Info
