Does Fitzroy/Collingwood has the greatest density of bike shops per square kilometre in Melbourne?

Being a cycling fan and a local I had thought I was familiar with all the bike shops in the area – but just recently I stumbled across Mottainai Cycles. As in literally stumbled – I tripped over their board sign on Brunswick Street while checking out a cool bike zooming past.

Cameron Trethowan has been operating Mottainai Cycles for around 6 months now and he doesn’t even know how many bikes he’s got in stock these days.

On weekdays you enter the garage area via a graffitied laneway off Kerr St, while on Sundays he opens the back of his open-air workshop for the Rose Street Artists Markets (Saturday is his day off). Not only does he sell restored bikes, he sells parts, does repairs and hires out bikes as well.

Bikes range from $350 upwards, with this pastel Pashley beauty catching my eye for $800. I’m not supposed to be buying any more bikes but…

Mottainai Cycles, 41 Kerr St, Fitzroy +61 448884051