Dave's Market Management
871 Exchange Street
Akron, Ohio
Subject: Request for a Safe and Secure Bicycle Rack at Dave's Market
Dear Dave's Market Management,
I am writing to ask for your help in addressing a serious need for customers who use bicycles as transportation to shop at your Dave's Market location at 871 Exchange Street in Akron, Ohio.
Akron has invested heavily in bicycling infrastructure, with more than 122 miles of shared-use paths and approximately 50 miles of bike lanes. These routes allow residents to use bicycles not simply for recreation, but as a practical means of transportation for commuting, shopping, and getting to essential services.
Unfortunately, when bicyclists arrive at Dave's Market on Exchange Street, there is currently no safe, usable, and secure bicycle rack where customers can lock their bicycles while shopping.
This is more than an inconvenience. I have personally had two bicycles stolen from this location over the past four years, representing approximately $2,000 in losses. I know I am not the only person who has difficulty finding a safe place to secure a bicycle while shopping.
The need is particularly important in the East Side/Middlebury area. The area has been identified as a food desert, making access to the grocery store especially important for residents who may rely on bicycles, walking, or other forms of transportation rather than a personal automobile.
We appreciate having a Dave's Market in our community and recognize the important service the store provides. However, customers who depend on bicycles for transportation are effectively being told that they cannot safely secure their primary means of transportation while shopping.
I respectfully ask Dave's Market to consider installing a high-quality, securely anchored bicycle rack in a visible and convenient location near the store entrance. Ideally, it would be a rack that allows customers to securely lock both the bicycle frame and wheels and provides enough space for several bicycles.
This relatively small investment could make a significant difference to people in our community. It would encourage customers to shop at Dave's, support bicycle transportation, reduce the risk of bicycle theft, and demonstrate that Dave's Market recognizes bicycles as legitimate transportation--not simply toys or recreational equipment.
I hope Dave's Market will work with the community to find a practical location and solution for secure bicycle parking at 871 Exchange Street.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this request. We appreciate Dave's Market being part of our community, and we hope you will help make the store more accessible and welcoming to customers who rely on bicycles for transportation.
Sincerely,
Anthony Rhodes
Akron, Ohio. read more