SFYBP Co-Founder, Nathan Woody, shares his passion for biking and his hopes for the future of SFYBP…
“Motivation has come in the form of smiles from children and thank you’s from new and old friends who have been helped by our shop”
When did you first get the idea to begin the San Francisco Yellow Bike Project? What has motivated you along the way?
The impetus for SFYBP came while reading sfgate.com on my European bike tour in 2010. I noticed the SF BOS voted to make it a city goal to achieve 20% bicycle transportation mode share by 2020. I spent many hours thinking about how I could help make that a reality. A few months later I realized that access to bikes/repair facilities would be an issue. Motivation has come in the form of smiles from children and thank you’s from new and old friends who have been helped by our shop.
Describe how you feel when you walk into the shop; what makes you most proud?
When I walk into the shop I get a sense of joy. The shop is not me, not Mary Kay, or any of the other volunteers. It is the sum effort of everyone who has donated time, money, bikes, merchandise, smiles. I’m most proud that we are all-donation and all-volunteer yet somehow we have a space and regular (albeit limited) hours.
What got you interested in biking? Why is it important to you?
I started biking when I was 5. There was a shiny department store BMX bike under the Christmas tree. By the time I was 10 I was saving allowance from chores and delivering papers to build my next BMX bike; the rest is history.
I fell in love with riding from the very beginning for one simple reason: freedom in motion. My whole world opened up and things that felt far away now felt very close. I still love cycling to this day for that feeling.
If you could bike anywhere in the country, where would you go and why?
I’d like to ride from SF to Austin, TX. Not only is Austin the spiritual home of SFYBP it is also my second home. I’ve been visiting it my whole life and have always flown or driven there. I’d love to ride my bike and experience the sights and sounds along the way.
When and where was the longest distance you’ve traveled by bike? Do you have any more adventures planned?
In 2010, when the wheels of motion started spinning for SFYBP, I was on bike tour in Europe. I spent 3 months riding and exploring 9 different countries. The highlight of that trip was the day I rode over two passes in the Swiss Alps, climbing about 15,000′ over 90 miles. My next major trip is to be from SF to the Equator, though I don’t know when that will happen!
What is your vision for SFYBP? What do you hope to create within San Francisco?
My vision for SFYBP is that it will be THE place people think of when they need access to an old part, a repair, a bike, a friendly face, an inspiration… My hope is that this shop will be a place where the under-served feel over-served.
