Page 11 - Allison's Magazine Issue #97
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transportation—can be something    important component in sustaining
 really special.”  the biking culture in New Orleans and
        making people feel comfortable. “It’s
 Tockman wanted Dashing to be a truly   really a space that, no matter who you
 distinctive boutique bike shop that   are, you can come and feel appreciated,”
 could serve the community’s needs, as   says Tockman. “To me, that’s a big
 well as be a gathering place of education,   success. It’s been really fun to see the
 advocacy, and togetherness. To service   way that New Orleans has embraced a
 the community more effectively,   new store like this, and at a time when,
 Dashing moved to its current home on   post-Katrina, anything was possible but
 North Broad Street, a central meeting   nothing seemed to be going right.”
 point for many of New Orleans’s
 neighborhoods.   In addition to empowering the
        community, Dashing has a mission to
 It was one of the first small businesses   empower women cyclists in particular—
 to reopen on North Broad after the   those who may not have a place to feel
 destruction of Hurricane Katrina,   comfortable, safe, and appreciated—
 which has given Tockman a sense   especially in an industry dominated
 of responsibility to the community   by men. The shop offers free monthly
 the laid-back lifestyle of the southern   members who rely on her.  workshops on basic bike maintenance
 city. The outdoor living, sense of   and safety, as well as group rides for
 community, and diversity among the   This central location allows Dashing to   women cyclists of all skill levels.
 neighborhoods proved to be the exact   service customers from all walks of life.
 type of environment she was looking to   Tockman explains that, on any given   Since Tockman opened Dashing six
 call home, and she made a permanent   day, the store will likely welcome tourists   years ago, she says that she has seen
 move in 2010.   just visiting the city, older residents who   great success in bringing women
 live nearby, and folks on their way to   cyclists together through the shop, but
 She continued advocating for better   and from work—it caters to people of all   it hasn’t necessarily been easy. “When
 bike safety in New Orleans while   backgrounds with a variety of needs.    more women are out riding and being
 juggling her film career. However, in   visible, it makes the streets seem more
 2013 she decided to switch gears to a   EMPOWERING, AFFORDABLE, FUN   approachable and makes more women
 full-time career in the cycling industry.   One of the most important aspects of   feel empowered to do it,” she says.
 Tockman opened Dashing—a pop-  the business for Tockman is keeping   “But sometimes you feel like you’re
 up neighborhood cycle shop—that   Dashing’s services affordable. The   ahead of the curve, and sometimes
 same year to serve what she describes   shop handles everything from small   finding supportive women is the biggest
 as a gap in the market for everyday   repairs and adjustments, which often   challenge. I see biking as a safe activity
 cyclists. “I wanted to expose people   run between five and ten dollars, to   and a health benefit, so my biggest
 to the self-appreciation that can come   tire changes and custom installations   goal is just to try and share those   witnessing the growth of cycling and   the fabric of why biking is so great. You
 when you choose to bike,” she says.   of rims, spokes, and hubs—the most   concepts with people and help them   how that fits into the collective interests   can walk into an inviting store that’s
 “The gratification you get from using   expensive service, which costs about   feel more confident.”  of residents has been particularly   got your back and welcomes you. To
 your own body—what’s called active   seventy dollars. It also carries a large   exciting for her and the business.   our customers, it’s about being a part of
 selection of reasonably priced bikes and   Tockman notes that seeing the biking   this lively culture and being seen—and
 accessories from top brands like Bianchi,   community in the city come together   “I don’t think owning your own business   they’re doing it on the seat of a bicycle.
 PUBLIC, and All-City Cycles.   and expand over the last few years has   is for everyone,” she says. “You put your   It’s a great time to live in New Orleans.”
        been a beautiful thing to watch. The   neck on the line and set yourself up for   For more info visit www.dashingnola.com
 Helping the city’s cyclists keep their   culture in New Orleans is already so   multiple challenges. But I think that
 bikes in order for a modest rate is an   lively and community-oriented, so   Dashing is really becoming a part of





 8 | AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE                                                                americanlifestylemag.com | 9
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