Switchback Cyclery
651 Queen Street East M4M 1G4 Toronto, ON, Canada

Dear Switchback Valued Friends and Customers, We hope that this email finds you all safe and healthy during these interesting and challenging times. Over the past few months, the team at our shop (that operates as a non-profit social enterprise) has had to take some time to evaluate our business model and the direction of a handful of our team members. We’re writing to you today to let you know that we have made the difficult decision to sell Switchback Cyclery. As of Thursd...ay, April 30th @ 6:00pm, Switchback Cyclery will be closed. We're pleased to share that our shop space will not be permanently closing down, but instead has been sold to another bike shop owner that will be expanding their venture to the 651 Queen Street East shop space you’re familiar with as of May 01 and open to the public as of Tuesday, May 05. Ride On has two shops established in Toronto already and another four well-established locations in Vancouver. They look forward to serving in the Riverside community selling bikes, providing full service repairs and taking care of your bike-related needs. The shop phone number will remain the same (416-466-6776) and shop inquiries for their team can be sent to [email protected]. We are grateful that the space can remain in service to a great Toronto neighbourhood and community. It has been a pleasure to serve in the Riverside community and we appreciate your support that has allowed us to operate as a non-profit Employment Social Enterprise for the past seven years. Your support over the years has helped provide dignified and meaningful employment to many of our team members that have previously experienced barriers to employment and a space to belong. Thank you for being part of our community! The emails of our management team will remain live until the end of May 2020. If you'd like to be in-touch, we can be reached at: Cynthia Leung: [email protected] Steve Hunter: [email protected] Tanya Hunter: [email protected] Wishing you all the best for the future, and we hope and look forward to seeing you on the road (or perhaps on the trails!). Sincerely, The Switchback Team

COVID-19 update Deemed as an essential service (Retail and wholesaling - 6.Motor vehicle, auto-supply, auto and motor-vehicle-repair, including bicycle repair, aircraft repair, heavy equipment repair, watercraft/marine craft repairs, car and truck dealerships and related facilities), we are operating behind closed doors. We're here Monday - Friday 11:00am - 6:00pm until further notice. We are limiting the number of customers in our shop to protect you and our team.... Please give a knock at the door and wait to be let in or call our shop (416) 466-6776 and we will be happy to assist you!

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Dear Switchback Valued Friends and Customers, Please know that until further notice our store will remain open to help service those who rely on their bicycles for transportation and getting around. As we continue to monitor the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), we will keep you informed of any changes to our daily operations and maintain a healthy place to work and visit.... Here is what we are doing to keep you safe: - The store hours remain the same 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday Saturdays, closed Sundays. - We are doing our best to create a safe shopping experience by sanitizing all touch points, minimizing physical contact and keeping on top of retail "best practice" for our staff and your health and safety - We have introduced enhanced special cleaning instructions that will include: - Hourly sanitation of doors, handles, railings and taps - Disinfection of products after they’ve been handled by staff or customers - Regular cleaning of the cash area, phones, registers, debit machines, keyboards, drawers, and other hardware - Staff washing their hands regularly and using hand sanitizer after dealing with customers - Hand sanitizer is available for customer use as well - Our service department will remain open, as its an essential service for commuters. - We will take all phone calls and emails to assist you in your cycling needs if in store/person contact is not possible for you. - We aim for 1-2 days for bike service turn-around but due to the COVID-19 situation and desire by Torontonians to be on bikes rather than TTC, please bear with us with slightly longer turn-around times. We appreciate everyone's understanding and we hope that we can accommodate our customer needs, keeping in mind the safety and well being of our staff and our patrons. Thanks for your continued support. We will keep you informed through our email newsletter and social media. Stay safe, healthy and strong, follow the latest health and safety guidelines, and when you need to leave your home and travel we can still recommend riding a bicycle (our recommended social distancing vehicle). Be Advised Avoid crowded spaces = Ride Bicycles Keep a safe distance between people = Ride Bicycles Do not use public transportation = Ride Bicycles Expose yourself to sunshine = Ride Bicycles Boost immunity with fresh air = Ride Bicycles Missing your exercise class = Ride Bicycles Staying home from work or school = Ride Bicycles Maintain a positive attitude = Ride Bicycles The Switchback Team

Want to learn the basics or take your bike repair skills to the next level? We are now offering Park Tool School courses for riders! Registration is now open for classes late February through March. Two levels offered - beginner care and the DIY bike maintenance. ... Monday & Thursday 6-8pm Have any questions about the courses or interested in registering? Contact us at [email protected]

OUR WHITE GLOVE SERVICE Switchback is offering you the opportunity to have your bike picked up at home, serviced, and returned to you at no extra cost! Let us try and help you beat the spring rush! Here's how it works: Step 1). PICK UP Saturday, January 25th or Saturday, February 1st - you pick whichever date works best (between 9:00am and 5:00pm). Have your bike ready to be picked up at a location convenient for you.... Step 2) THE REPAIR: As per our standard repair set up, we will call/email you with an estimate with regards to the service we recommend for your bike. From there you would give us the approval to proceed with the labor item(s) you would like completed. Step 3) THE DROP OFF: Saturday, March 7th or Saturday, March 14th (between 9:00am and 5:00pm) (provided that any special componentry needed can be ordered within this time period). Your drop off time will be confirmed with you during the estimate process. Payments for the service done on your bike can be processed through credit card by phone or e-transfer prior to your drop off. To Qualify: You must live in Toronto within the following geographical limits: Yonge Street to Woodbine Avenue Eglinton Avenue East to Lake Ontario