Fast Lane Cyclery is a new bike store at 2140 W. North Avenue in the Wicker Park / Bucktown neighborhood. Recently I spoke with Mojdeh Stoakley about FLC, the Critical Care Center, fast service, and the Motoway idea.

DG: Can you tell me about FLC's inventory?

MS: We have over 1,200 in our Wicker Park warehouse, and hundreds more to consolidate into this warehouse in Gurnie, IL and Antioch, IL warehouses. We buy/collect classic, near modern, and modern day cycles. Most totally new cycles we order custom parts and assemble for customers. Parts usually arrive within 24 hours, 48 hours at the latest.

DG: How long will it take for FLC to have a custom bike built for a customer?

MS: It depends on the project. Anywhere from a few days to a week and a couple weeks. It all depends on if it's a simple commuter bike or a project bike. If someone is building their dream bike, then we like to have a dialog with them throughout the process to make sure that they are getting exactly what they want.

DG: What is a MotoRay?

MS: The MotoRay is a series of four motorized bicycles that were developed and designed by FLC owners. They go 44 mph with one person on them, and they get 150 to 300 miles per gallon in the city. Each MotoRay starts at $399.99, and it only gets more expensive with additions such as a coffee holder, DVD saddle bags, GPS system, etc.

DG: Why is FLC open until midnight?

MS: To offer a courtesy to cyclists. A mechanical or safety emergency can happen at any hour, so we do our best to be available as long as possible. Even when the store door is not unlocked, the doorbell is loud and ready!

DG: What is FLC’s Critical Care Center?

MS: Our 24-hour Critical Care Center is system in place so that for all services that cannot be done in five minutes or less, we guarantee a 24-hour-or-less turnaround on services. If we can do it during the day while the fast lane is slower we'll call the customer and they can pick it up immediately!

DG: What are some unique things that are offered to FLC employees?

MS: Starting with our first location, each Fast Lane store will have a built-in Manager's resting lounge so that they can feel at home during the late and less swamped hours. I really enjoy working with Anthony personally, because his hope is to motivate young people! As an entrepreneur myself, it is delightful to be around someone with vision who, as he says, likes to "nudge young people into a successful future." He's a young retiree, so this is all fun for him!

DG: Why is it important that FLC offer fast service?

MS: Fast service is important for several reasons. What most bike shops don't consider is that ESPECIALLY in this economy people are using their bikes as transportation to and from work, school, groceries etc. If it's going to take half a day or a few days for simple services, most won't put their primary transportation out of service, and would rather neglect their bikes. This is dangerous in a big city because cyclists need to be on functional, worry free machines to stay safe! If you're chain rings are rusted out, for instance, they could skip at a crucial part of your ride and put you in an unsafe situation along your journey. In the same way that services fast food services people that are always on a time crunch, so does the fast lane! We keep cyclists on the road!

DG: Can you tell me about the Motoway idea?

MS: Motoway is an elevated cycling environment plan that Anthony has been developing with several local nonprofits and architects. It is a 25-year project designed to get cyclists off the road itself for huge chunks of their ride. The Motoway system would consist of tubes which would affix to existing structures such as the El, some buildings, etc. It would be a climate-controlled environment with multiple lanes -- structured by speed so people on motorized bikes as well as other fast-moving cyclists don't compete with weekend comfort bike riders, etc.

The majority of bad bicycle accidents happen because cyclists are forced to ride on roads without bike lanes, and because too many motorists don't pay attention to the cyclists around them. The Motoway plan wouldn't solve the problem of careless motorists, but it would create an environment in which cyclists no longer have to worry about careless drivers.

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