No offense, but this is just really stupid. Bikes are remarkably simple machines to work on. To do more advanced repairs you need a few special tools, but for changing tubes and tires, lubing chains, adjusting breaks, derailleurs, etc. (i.e., 99% of what you need to do to keep a bike running) a normal toolset will do. Just check out any bike mechanics book from the library and go to.

While I 100 % support the local bike shop - I'll visit new ones I come across and try to find something interesting to buy, people have to be self sufficient with their rides.
Doing work on a bike is the simplest thing around.
Read a book ... or look up instructions and techniques on line and there you go.
Many local groups have maintenance classes.

I think the only things I would go to the local shop for are wheel building, pressing in a new headset, and rebuilding the suspension fork on my Cannondale mountain bike. The rest is all easily user-serviceable.

If you commute a lot on a multi-geared bike, you have to clean and lube your drive train at least every 3 weeks, otherwise, stuff gets sloppy and starts to skip, especially during rainy weather. Everyone has to be able to change a tube after a flat. If you're not cofident, practice and go to a class, you will feel much better when you're out in the middle of no-where, miles from anyone and you just reach into your tool bag and fix what's broke along the way.

vsk

Cool!!! Does this mean bike mechanics will start making more than $8-12/hour? Does this mean they'll start receiving full benefits from their employers? Will mechanics have to attend 8+ years of school and be licensed by the government to practice? (That last one is probably not a bad idea judging from some of the work I've seen!)

I spun wrenches in shops for several years and also have relatives who are medical doctors. Comparing the two occupations in any manner is simply ludicrous. You might as well say barristas are the new architects or waiters are the new physicists. For that matter you might as well say Osama Bin Laden is the new Dalai Lama because they both happen to be spiritual leaders!

It's great that people are discovering bikes and hopefully this will lead to better pay and conditions for people who work in shops.

@cyclocross
The article wasn't comparing the two occupations directly, but the availability of appointments with each.

And I agree it's easy to work on a bike, I do it myself, but I also changed my own tires and oil when I owned a car (which also requires only a few simple tools). But a majority of people aren't mechanically inclined, even in regards to something as simple as a bike.

I think single speeds have helped decrease the intimidation factor of maintaining a bike, but people don't want to be responsible for learning or understanding how the bike works.

I just read an article in the WSJ today that said 68% of all returns on what people buy are based on not understanding how to use the product—not because it didn't work or they didn't like it.

I think this movement is great for bike shop owners, mechanics, and those interested in opening new shops.

I think everyone is being a little too critical over being able to fix your own bike. For sure bikes are easy to fix, but I think sometimes people just feel more comfortable letting someone else fix their bike then themselves, probably due to lack of know-how or no experience. On a side note I'm not in any way involved, but if anyone ever does have a bike they deem un-repairable or don't want it anymore, check out http://www.africycle.org it really is a great program for helping people get bikes that cannot afford them and its just a little north of Toronto.

The best thing about a bike is that it is simple enough for everyone to service. Waiting a month for a tune-up?
I bet even a novice can find excellent advice in the web for bike self servicing.
Besides, it is a rewarding feeling when You have cleaned all the bearings, adjusted them, lubricated all the joints that need it and then take the bike for a spin and feel the difference Your effort has made. Time to get greasy, bikers!

Sure, working on your own bike is easy. It's as easy as, say, cutting your own hair or doing your own taxes. Time and know-how taken for granted...
Comment spaces are for boldly and sometimes irreverently voicing an otherwise inhibited opinion. Good for all of you who do work on your own bikes! You have no one to compliment or blame but yourselves for the results. But just look how far off topic you have gotten: The fact is that bike use is increasing and many people are queueing and appointmenting for service. So, hooray for you, home mechanic, but what's your point?