Hyphenated New York - NYU Fall 2009

Bicycle Habitat Changes Cycling Community

By Lisa Euker

Charlie McCorkell admits that it was “pretty insane” to open a bike shop in Manhattan in 1978. Only a few cyclists were riding at the time, and the city streets were “unfriendly” to those who did ride.

But he wasn’t thinking about that. He was determined to make a living and a life out of something he loved.

It all started when McCorkell and his wife attended a wedding, where they were seated at a table with a group of lawyers. McCorkell, a civil engineer who had graduated from Cooper Union 12 years earlier, listened to the lawyers talk about how dissatisfied they were with their careers.

“Afterwards, my wife asked me what I really wanted to do and I told her I wanted to make a living out of bikes,” McCorkell said, “Something that I really believe in.”

She then suggested he open a bike store.

“And that’s what I did,” he said.

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