| Michael Conley began his work in the bike business on the living room floor of his home. With the help of his good friend Dave Mannino he learned the inner workings of a bicycle by disassembling and reassembling parts strewn across the floor. In a short time he had a little shop refurbishing used bikes from his garage. The neighbors noticed that his home business had grown into more than a hobby, and he moved to his current location on busy North Division Street in the fall of 1983. He purchased the site in 1990. |
| Michael barely survived that first winter - and learned quickly that winter is not a busy time for bicycle shops in Eastern Washington. He and his Irish setter Rufus worked alone around the wood stove. Michael was the shop's greeter, service center, buyer and sales manager. His business grew - Michael has employed as many as 13 people in the busy summer months to take care of his loyal customers. |
| You can meet Michael on all of the area road ride events, offering mechanical assistance on many local rides including the Rotary Lilac Century Surprise and Spokefest. The shop also sponsors Spokane Rocket Velo, an active riding and bike racing team. |
Being a good bicycle retailer means more than selling bikes and accessories. Michael believes in advocating for safe bicycling conditions, and helping to promote bicycle events in the Spokane area. He served on the Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board for the City of Spokane for 5 years. North Division Bicycle Shop helps maintain 3 sets of BMX bikes for use in area schools for The Basics of Bicycling child bike safety program. He is a long-standing member of the Spokane Bicycle Club, and has served on its board. He received the Spokane Bicycle Club's 25th Anniversary Award for the contributions North Division Bicycle Shop has made to the Spokane bicycling community. Michael is also a member of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, the League of American Bicyclists, Inland Northwest Trails Coalition, the Lands Council and the Rails to Trails Conservancy - all important organizations in advocating for the needs of bicyclists. |
Michael is a member of Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. His favorite part of Rotary is Youth Exchange. He and his partner Eileen Hyatt have hosted several exchange students in their home. Michael loves to dance and has been a member of the Spokane Folklore Society for over 20 years. North Division Bicycle Shop received the Smart Shop Award from the League of American Bicyclists. The League chose national winners on the basis of efforts to promote bicycling in the community, bring newcomers to biking, and to teach bicycle safety. |
