By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com

The Del Ray-based VéloCity Bicycle Cooperative is celebrating 10 years of serving the Alexandria community.

John Patterson and Christian Myers co-founded the community-based, volunteer-run bicycle shop in May 2010. The co-op is known for its community services including its Bicycle Scholarship Program, which helps low-income families obtain bicycles, and its “do it yourself” operations.

VéloCity’s 10th year has been an interesting one. Like a lot of bicycle shops, the co-op experienced a sharp increase in sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Peak bicycle season normally runs from May through mid-July, but this year, peak season started in March when the pandemic hit the region, Myers said.