That meeting brought forth a partnership with Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Botkins says if a new refugee arrives in Louisville, Parkside will donate a bike to help that person navigate to places and get off to a good start in their new land.
“About 30 bikes have been donated,” he says. “We still have bikes and we’re waiting to donate those whenever KRM needs them.”
And Parkside Bike’s community involvement does not end there. Local cyclists have no need to worry over a flat tire or minor mechanical issue if they are riding in Seneca Park or near the Big Four bridge. Parkside teamed up with the Waterfront Development Corporation and Olmsted Parks Conservancy to set up “Fix-It” stations in those locations. Each station contains an air pump and the tools needed to make simple bike adjustments and repairs while on the go.
“I heard about these stations, but there weren’t any in Louisville,” Botkins says. “I saw them and thought to myself ‘we’ve got to put these all over Louisville. This will save so many people.’ And the response has blown us away. I mean, every single day somebody comes in and tells us we saved their ride. It’s been really amazing.”
Botkins is expecting to add Fix-It stations in Iroquois Park and, of course, his beloved Cherokee Park.
“We owe our business to the Highlands neighborhood and to the community here and the park system in Louisville. It only makes sense to give back.”
Parkside Bikes, at 1377 Bardstown Road, is approximately 0.4 miles (2 min.) from Cherokee Park. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and closed Monday. The shop can be reached at (502) 384-0668, or found online at www.parksidebikes.com.
Writer Jackie Hollenkamp Bentley is filling in this month for Eve Lee, who normally writes our business stories. Contact Jackie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .