Started with two guys, a pedicab, and a big idea.
In 2009, John Patterson and Christian Myers launched viaVélo — a nonprofit bicycle delivery and pedicab service in Alexandria, Virginia. They noticed something while doing that work: the community needed a place where anyone could access a bike, learn to fix one, and be part of a cycling culture that wasn’t just for people who could afford fancy gear.
So in May 2010, they co-founded Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative. John took on administration. Christian ran the shop and the youth education program. And a dedicated group of volunteers — who named themselves Véloteers — provided the hours, energy, and enthusiasm that made the whole thing actually work.
The DC cycling community showed up. Alexandria neighborhoods showed up. The City of Alexandria showed up. And Vélocity was off.
Where We Are Now
16 years later, Vélocity has grown into something we’re pretty proud of:
- Two shops — Del Ray (Alexandria) and Lyon Park (Arlington) — offering bike sales, professional repairs, and DIY hours
- A warehouse in Alexandria where volunteer nights, maintenance classes, and monthly Warehouse Sales bring the community together
- A scholarship program that has given more than 850 bikes to the most needful people in our community
- A volunteer program that has logged 18,000+ hours of service and taught real, practical skills to nearly 700 community members and neighbors
The Véloteers are still the lifeblood of the organization. That hasn’t changed.