Bike Shop: New Orleans’ Dashing Bicycles and Accessories

Photo by Akasha Rabut

What is unique to your shop?

Dashing has a lot of unique firsts to offer New Orleans, including being the first bike shop owned solely by a woman plus we are the city’s first bike shop/ coffee shop combo in the city. We also carry a lot of hand made products that are great for biking and we work closely with makers and our customers to put a unique and stylish touch to every ride we roll out of the shop!

Owner Marin Tockman. Photo by Akasha Rabut.

What are some things your shop does to support and be a part of the local community?

With over 10 years of experience in bicycle advocacy, as the founder of the shop I have always been closely connected to the community organizations and biking groups here in New Orleans. When we opened the doors, we knew it would be important that Dashing offer free workshops and we’ve really enjoyed offering them almost every month. The shop is also a great community meeting space and hub for riders and commuters in general where you can pick up a cup of coffee, learn some cycling tips, watch and learn about how to repair your own bike, and meet up with colleagues and friends for a ride in and around the center of our city.

Tell us about the neighborhood the shop is located in.

We are currently located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter so it’s easy to walk and, of course, bike from our shop to check out all the great restaurants and music that our town is known for. We are also right across the street from Armstrong Park & Congo Square – the birthplace of Jazz and one of the most vibrant areas that hosts free concert series.

What key feature of the shop should Momentum Mag readers be most aware of?

I think the best feature is that we are not just a bike shop but a community hub that focuses on making people feel comfortable to meet up, talk about bikes, and an easy place to have your bike worked on with comfortable and competent mechanics that love seeing people out riding every day in our city!

Tockman chats to a customer over coffe. Photo by Akasha Rabut.

Why is being women- focused important to you as shop owner?

As a female business owner, I recognized a huge gap in the Greater New Orleans bike industry for women to feel comfortable in a bike shop environment. I think it’s important for other women to know that there’s someone knowledgeable about everyday bike riding and commuting and someone who experiences the same things they experience. We also try to put women at the forefront of the transportation conversation at City Hall as we know planning and building infrastructure with women’s safety in mind is key to a healthy city for all.

What are the city cycling-specific brands you stock?

Bikes: PUBLIC Bikes, Factory Five Bikes Semi Custom Builds: Surly, All City, Soma Other Bicycles: Origin 8, Evo Bikes, Sun Bicycles Notable Accessories: Brooks, Giro, Bell Sports, Vaya Bags, Nona Varnado, Detours Bags, Tchoup Industries, Basil, House of Talents, Origin 8, Wellgo, Pearl Izumi, Nite Ize, Monkey Lights, ABUS, Kryptonite, On Guard, Schwalbe, Kenda

The Details

Address: 628 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA
Website: dashingnola.com
Phone Number: (504) 264-3343

All photos by Akasha Rabut. akasharabut.com