Statesman Journal ❚ SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 ❚ 1F Business Salem Statesman Journal - 06/03/2018 Copy Reduced to 65% from original to fit letter page Page : F01

No longer lined with scores of bikes waiting for a new rider, South Salem Cycleworks closed its doors May 31. PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE STATESMAN JOURNAL Cycleworks rides into sunset Bike shop has served as a green-business leader since it opened in 1991

Beth Casper Special to Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK

Michael Wolfe’s 28-year tenure as a bicycle shop owner and leader in the green business field has come to an end — at least as a brick and mortar business. South Salem Cycleworks on Liberty Road South closed its doors at the end of May. But the impact Wolfe had in running an eco- friendly business set an example for other busi- ness owners and outlines a vision for a greener society. The business has been EarthWISE cer- tified since 2014, although owner Michael Wolfe has been making the environment a priority since the shop opened in 1991. The EarthWISE program is the free business environmental assistance program of Marion County. EarthWISE staff helps businesses recy- cle, save energy and reduce waste. To earn cer- tification, a business meets criteria in six areas. There are more than 170 EarthWISE businesses and organizations in Marion County. “Bicycles represent a way of life and trans- portation,” Wolfe said. “The environment that they are sold in should reflect that.” Wolfe’s shop was packed with bicycles and bicycle-related gear. He saved parts to make new bikes or find just the right equipment for a customer. Longtime bike advocate Hersch Sangster said that he would call Wolfe for a part before even turning to the Internet. “He is the source for old parts,” he said. “I would always go and ask Michael first.” Wolfe estimates that all of the parts and bike frames that he saved were used on refurbishing thousands of bicycles since the shop opened. Since those parts didn’t get tossed like they South Salem Cycleworks owner Michael Wolfe rode to work every day, rain or shine. See CYCLEWORKS, Page 2F © Salem Statesman Journal June 8, 2018 1:52 pm (GMT +7:00) Powered by TECNAVIA Businesses seek to expand opportunities for disabled

Joyce M. Rosenberg Many small-business owners are he couldn’t have done, at many places ASSOCIATED PRESS open to hiring or specifically recruit he never got a clear explanation of why people who have disabilities, some- he wasn’t considered. In his job, he coor- NEW YORK – On any weekday morn- times because they want to expand the dinates with real estate agents and data ing, Miles Thornback is working on opportunities for people with talent and providers to create postcards and letters marketing campaigns for real estate skills but who can’t find jobs. that advertise properties for sale. agents or dealing with tricky tech issues The unemployment rate for people Jay O’Brien, an owner at the RE/MAX at the office. with disabilities who want to be hired is office, learned about Thornback Thornback, who has cerebral palsy, 8 percent, more than twice the national through Goodwill Industries, which was hired three years ago at the RE/ average. works with the Regional Center of Or- MAX Prestige real estate agency in Cos- “I think a lot of people assume that if ange County, an organization that pro- ta Mesa, California, after the owners you’re disabled, you can’t work,” says vides training and services for people Miles Thornback, right, who has heard that he’d spent six years applying Thornback, 36, who uses a wheelchair. with developmental disabilities. cerebral palsy, works on marketing for jobs at hundreds of companies and While some jobs he applied for would campaigns with Jay O’Brien in Costa finding nothing but negative mindsets. have required him to do errands, which See DISABLED, Page 2F Mesa, Calif. CHRIS CARLSON/AP Salem Statesman Journal - 06/03/2018 Copy Reduced to 48% from original to fit letter page Page : F02 2F ❚ SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 ❚ STATESMAN JOURNAL

WHAT’S THAT?

Scores of bikes are still part of the Cycleworks inventory and will be available The Yard Food Park on State Street in Salem will have room for 16 vendors as online. PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE STATESMAN JOURNAL well as space for live music, a fire pit and more.LEE CLARKSON / STATESMAN JOURNAL The new building near Knecht’s Cycleworks

to host food trucks and more Continued from Page 1F

Project: The Yard Food Park Signs posted on construction fencing often do in other shops, South Salem indicate the park will open in late May. Cycleworks did not have dumpster ser- Location: 4092 State St. Food cart applications are being ac- vice its entire time in business. An ex- Description: A new food truck pod cepted through The Yard’s website. tensive recycling program and a cre- with room for more than 16 vendors, The application states that the “target ative reuse system meant that Wolfe live music, a firepit and more. It will open date” is late May or early June. only took a small amount of garbage to contain a bar with tables inside a the transfer station once or twice a year. Estimated size: not available building with a large awning on all He recycled or reused all of the pack- Longtime employee Brad Bahr enters sides, allowing guests to wait in line Source: Statesman Journal aging from shipped bikes, parts and ac- data into a 1990s Apple computer that out of the rain and eat in a warm cessories. Cardboard, styrofoam, shrink is nearly as old as the store, which Go to space. StatesmanJournal.com/Whats wrap and other common materials nev- opened in 1991. That to see more projects in devel- er made their way to the trash. The park is modeled after the Happy opment and to submit a tip. Valley Station food truck pod. Even uncommon items unique to bike shops found their way to a recycling or reuse market. Worn out chains were sent to Re- source Revival, which creates baskets, bottle openers and race medals in their Oregon shop. Instead of trashing inner Net neutrality’s demise is tubes, South Salem Cycleworks fixed them, saved other broken inner tubes in a loss for small businesses boxes for future recycling and encour- aged people to upcycle tubes as strap- ping material or bungee cords. Rhonda Abrams just can’t afford,” said Evan Greer of Wolfe learned that the only way to Special to USA TODAY Fight for the Future, an open-internet keep items from being trashed was to advocacy group. “It allows the largest, make an easy recycling and reuse sys- Last month, during Small Business most powerful companies to squash tem. Brad McIntosh sorts parts for the Week, entrepreneurs descended on their competition by cutting competi- “You have put the receptacles where store; remaining inventory will be sold senators’ offices. They signed pet- tive deals with big ISPs, who will be- you want the stuff to go,” he said. “You via the internet. itions, wrote letters and emails, even come the gatekeepers of the free mar- want to make sure you have enough re- put up billboards. ket, picking and choosing which busi- ceptacles and you have them in conve- What was all the fuss about? Small nesses succeed, and which ones fail. nient locations. You can preach all you businesses were trying to help save “This doesn’t just impact high-tech want to employees but unless it is con- open and equal access to the internet. businesses – in 2018 every business venient for them, they can’t follow suit.” The Senate, in a bipartisan vote, tried needs to be online. Every small-busi- Wolfe made it convenient for his Sat- to do its bit to save what is known as ness owner should be up in arms.” urday employees to eliminate single- “net neutrality.” But, alas, the internet Now, remember: The internet was use coffee cups by purchasing thermos- as you knew it may die as soon as early built with taxpayer money. Without es for each of them. June. net neutrality, we will be handing over Even in terms of the bike shop’s Do I sound alarmist? Well, bear with control to a handful of extremely large building, Wolfe made eco-conscious de- me. It’s because I live in the heart of corporations – like ATT, Comcast, Ve- cisions. Silicon Valley but work with small rizon, Charter – that have their own “I’ve managed to maintain the busi- businesses from coast to coast that I motivations to throttle competitors’ ness in this building for 28 years instead have a pretty good grasp of just how applications and websites. And they of building a new one or doing major important an open, equal internet is to have virtual monopolies or duopolies renovations,” he said. “In some ways, small businesses and startups all over in much of America, resulting in peo- that is the most enviro-friendly prac- this country. You may think this is just ple paying higher prices for slower in- tice.” a “techy” issue. But it’s not. ternet access than citizens of most Wolfe also led by example through Net neutrality means companies other developed countries. his personal lifestyle — biking to work that comprise the backbone of the in- The end of net neutrality will defi- and around town every day — and his ternet – internet service providers, or nitely affect not only how much you professional dedication — serving on ISPs – must treat all data the same. pay for internet access, but whether the state’s pedestrian and bicycle advi- They can’t make deals with big compa- you’ll be able to sell your goods on the sory board and with his local bicycle Store manager Nate Taylor puts the nies to create a “fast lane,” where their internet, which programs you’ll be able club. finishing touches on a repaired bike at data gets sent faster than other com- to have access to (and how much you’ll “He’s always had a strong communi- South Salem Cycleworks. panies.’ They can’t throttle, or slow, a pay) to help you run your business. ty involvement in South Salem but he competitor’s data. There is a glimmer of hope. Not on had statewide influence by being ap- Imagine if the electric company the federal level, but from the states. pointed by the Governor for the ODOT could choose to provide better electri- Legislators are gearing up to protect bike advisory committee,” Sangster cal service to companies that paid businesses and consumers by passing said. “When he talks to customers, he them a hefty fee and spotty electricity bills protecting net neutrality in their promotes bicycling, not just selling a to those that don’t. It would stifle com- states. If such a bill is under consider- bike.” petition from smaller companies and ation in your state, be sure to write He worked to promote bike parking at innovative entrepreneurs. That’s what your state representatives and gover- businesses and schools — reminding the repeal of net neutrality is going to nors to support it. people that you can park 12 bikes in a allow. I explained all of this to an 84-year- spot for one car. That’s why about a quarter of small old friend of mine, Cooky Capiaux, “Bicycles are a benefit to the commu- businesses say that net neutrality is prompting her to remark: nity—to everybody even if you don’t ride very important to their business and “I thought this country was built on a bicycle,” he said. “It’s a low-impact just about half say it is important, in a the idea of competition. What hap- form of transportation and when you in- new survey conducted by the group pened to that idea?” vest in the infrastructure, it is there for a Small Business Majority. Cooky understood what’s at stake long time.” “Net neutrality is critical to Ameri- in a nutshell. If an 84-year-old non- Wolfe also invested in alternative ca’s small businesses,” said John techie can understand this, why can’t transportation by renting bikes, tan- Arensmeyer, CEO of Small Business Congress? dems, child trailers, cross-country skis Majority. Connect with Rhonda Abrams on and snowshoes. Repealing net neutrality “amounts Facebook and Twitter, @Rhonda “Our rental program drew tourists to a tax on small businesses that they Abrams. from around the world,” Wolfe said. Despite spending long hours each South Salem Cycleworks promoted day closing the shop, he’s still passion- biking in many creative ways — such as ate about decisions regarding biking this custom mailbox. and recycling. He laments the bike tax different types of work. They face sim- that went into effect Jan. 1 but he ap- Disabled ilar difficulties in the workplace that plauds those who want a tax on single- others don’t. use beverage containers. Continued from Page 1F Alyssa and Shawn Cox, who volun- “We are the only state in the nation teer at a camp for children with Down that puts a tax on bike sales,” he said. O’Brien has been impressed with syndrome, created a store greeter po- “Why are we discouraging the use of bi- Thornback’s technical abilities, as he’s sition at one of their three Clothes cycles?” been able to resolve issues that con- Mentor locations in North Carolina Wolfe’s commitment to the recycling founded everyone else. O’Brien and his with the intention of hiring someone world and his encouragement of biking business partner, Sammer Mudawar, with the genetic chromosomal disor- made him stand out from others. wanted to see Thornback flourish in der. “The main thing about Michael is he his work. They hired Julia Cirone in Decem- stayed community centered,” Sangster “We didn’t want it to be seen as a ber. The 20-year-old who works three said. “He was so connected in South Sa- charity move,” O’Brien says, such as, days a week began by welcoming cus- lem.” “ ‘You can park your wheelchair here tomers and “aced that immediately,” South Salem Cycleworks will still for two hours a day and we’ll pay you Alyssa Cox says. have remaining inventory to sell for a and we can feel better about our- Cirone has since started assisting few years, but those sales will be online. selves.’ ” shoppers, helping them pick out For more information, go to sscycle- The kind of disability a person has clothes. Sales haves increased since works.com. Lance Armstrong was celebrated at can vary, and can be cognitive or phys- she began working at the store, the To learn about the EarthWISE pro- the shop back before his doping ical, so employees may be capable of busiest of the three locations. gram visit mcEarthWISE.net. offenses were revealed. © Salem Statesman Journal June 8, 2018 1:53 pm (GMT +7:00) Powered by TECNAVIA