Community bicycle centers are springing up across the country to offer a different yet familiar perspective to metropolitan travel.

Just last week, two city residents opened the Community Cycling Center of Valdosta to offer an alternative to transportation but also to traditional business models.

“One thing I hear all the time is that in the past people used to ride their bikes all over town and no one talked about obesity or diabetes and that something has changed,” said co-founder Matt Portwood. “They’re right, something has changed. The attitude has shift away from biking and walking and has moved towards convenient car travel.”

Portwood said that there has been renewed interest from citizens who want to ride their bikes more for health and economic reasons. With the Valdosta co-op, Portwood hopes people can find a place to work on their bikes, learn more about maintenance and bike safety while participating in future programs.

“The bike co-op is an effort to channel all the energy that has been generating for years surrounding bikes,” said Portwood. “The Azalea City Cyclists, Valdosta State University Blazer Cyclists and the Downtown Critical Mass rides are all examples of local interest in cycling. Our goal is to help promote cycling as a safe and healthy transportation alternative in Valdosta and Lowndes County.”

Located on the corner of Mary and Williams streets, the small shop offers a tool library where cyclists can work on their bicycles during store hours. Donations are accepted, but not required. Co-founder Patrick Stanley said a person might donate a few bucks to use their tools or donate $100 for a bike to ride.

Eventually, the owners plan to host bicycle-maintenance classes and cycling safety classes at the shop.

The inspiration for the co-op started a few months ago when a group of bicyclists in Valdosta went before City Council with a couple of suggestions about what could be done to promote safe cycling.

“I had been hearing about hackspaces where people with a common interest in computer software or welding, for instance, would pool their resources together and rent out a shared workspace,” said Portwood. “Patrick brought up the idea of a community center that would focus on getting people on bikes, teaching them how to safely ride and maintain those bikes.”

At the moment, there are about 30 bikes at the shop. Some are in working order, while others are being used mostly for parts. Citizens can volunteer to watch the shop or teach bike maintenance classes or they can stop by for a simple tune-up.

The co-op is officially open and the wheels are rolling, but donations are being accepted at http://www.indiegogo.com/biketools. At various levels of participation, donors can choose from a variety of gifts including limited edition posters, custom record clocks, one hour of tattoo work from Brass Quill Studios and even a bicycle. They hope to raise enough money for a full spectrum of bicycle tools for community use.

Cash and bicycle donations are also accepted at the shop, which is located at 305 Mary St., just north of Chip Electronics. For more information contact Patrick Stanley or Matt Portwood at cccvaldosta@gmail.com.

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