Software to cycling: Tech entrepreneur takes over London Bicycle Cafe

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Andrew McClenaghan has turned pandemic-busting recreation into a new career.

The London tech entrepreneur who founded Digital Echidna has bought London Bicycle Café, despite being a newcomer to the city’s biking culture.

“Like a lot of people in 2020, I was wondering what to do” as the COVID-19 pandemic forced shutdowns and closures, he said.

“I had also been thinking about climate change as something I wanted to work on. For me, this is fun and recreation and it could move the needle” on climate action, McClenaghan said.

He had a bicycle in 2020, but admits to not being an enthusiast. That was about to change.

McClenaghan was drawn to the culture of the bicycle cafe, now located at the terminus of the Thames Valley Parkway in a commercial space on the ground floor of the residential highrise Riverwalk at Thames and York streets.

The combination of waterfront café and patio and easy access to the city’s extensive trail system appealed to him.

“There are a lot of great cycling stores in London but (the bicycle cafe) was super cool. In 2020, I rode my bike only occasionally. I loved my car.”

But the bike beckoned and McClenaghan bought a battery-assisted bike, and change took root. That led to a cargo bike and in 2023 he bought 20 per cent of the business. He became the owner on Jan. 1 when its founder moved to Victoria, B.C.

“I approached them about investing and that turned into ownership. It was the right time and place,” McClenaghan said. “I wanted to help. I offered capital which turned into ownership.”

McClenaghan, a South Collegiate and University of Waterloo alumnus, owned Digital Echidna, a web development business, for about 20 years before selling it in 2020 to Northern Commerce. He then joined Northern for a time, and still does some contract work for them.

“At Digital Echidna we were mission-driven with clients. We worked with a lot of non-profits. It felt good to impact people, help them with problems. This is the same idea, making a statement how everyday citizens” can impact climate change, McClenaghan said.

He gave each of his 50 Echidna employees an e-bicycle when he sold the business.

“We don’t want everyone to become a bicycle enthusiast. We just want them to get from point A to point B. We want to start the journey,” McClenaghan said of growing the interest in bicycles. “Our niche is everyday people who just want to get around, to commute, everyday biking. We are not an elite group.”

The bicycle cafe has been in business since 2018 and employs 10, five full time and five part time. Last year it sold about 200 bikes and McClenaghan hopes for much the same this year, as high interest rates may slow growth.

“We have a bike for everybody,” he said. “People are drawn to our patio. They come for food and coffee and we happen to have amazing bikes if you want to try them. “

ndebono@postmedia.com