Visit Matt in Leschi too! His shop is great. He's saved my bike on a number of occasions.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillot_%C3…

Bethany, what I've read in stuff linked by various posts here suggests the whole building is an exercise in teaching capitalism the right way. It's meant to showcase to the world's capitalist developers that building right is in fact profitable and will become more so as these technologies they've pioneered become cheaper.

The building is designed to be self-sustaining not just environmentally but financially as well. So what might feel like it's "thrown off the shackles of capitalism, escaped the unseen hand of the market" in this case is actually "market capitalism done really beautifully and with minimal exploitation".

And I would be very surprised if the "free" bike repair wasn't paid for by the developer, so the repair guy can make a living for his time today. And you just now helped part of the day's plan along for the repair guy by giving him a heartfelt plug for his local business here. Again, capitalism, but the nicest kind.

A little basic maintenance makes cycling more pleasant. It's worth getting a basic tool kit and a repair book if you are inclined at all towards DIY.