Looking Back at 13 Years of Green Machine Cycles in Ravenswood

It’s no secret that Chicago loves its bikes. Walking to work today–just today!–I saw dozens of bikes: parked and in use, all different sizes and colors. Some cargo bikes for toting around kids, groceries, or brave shih-tzus; some rail-thin road bikes; some colorful cruises tricked out with milk crates and stickers.

If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that a bike is rarely just a bike. It’s a companion. It’s an instrument of freedom. A collection of stories–destinations and journeys. It’s a key that unlocks parts of the city you might never have seen otherwise. If we recognize the bike as a dynamic conduit for adventure and joy, it stands to reason that might matter where you get your bike, or where you go for repairs when it’s in need of some love.

For the better part of the last 13 years, many folks across Chicago brought their bikes to Green Machine Cycles in Ravenswood. There was no place quite like it in the city, and nobody like beloved shop owner Ezra Hozinsky. Many in our community were saddened by Green Machine’s recent closure, which you can read more about at Block Club Chicago.

Green Machine's owner Ezra totes around a small group of people in a cargo bike — *Demonstrating the power of cargo bikes!* *Talk about a Green Machine.*

A throwback: Green Machine's window display at the very beginning — *Throwback: an early photo of the storefront, before installing signage or its signature mosaic siding.*

Same as a bike is rarely just a bike, Green Machine was never just a bike shop. It was a conduit for adventure and joy. It was a deeply sustainability-minded business: Ezra took great pains to center green products and sustainable business practices (this is where the “green” in their name came from). He was an artisan who took his work seriously and produced expert-quality work for over a decade. Green Machine Cycles was the sort of place bikes themselves probably dream about (when they dream, which we know they do). However, we mustn’t overlook the intangibles of Green Machine. I submit for your amusement this brief passage from their website (no doubt written by Ezra):

"You may know that modernist architect Le Corbusier called the house a "machine for living." A bicycle might well be considered a machine for loving. Like any good lover, a bicycle will gradually teach you things about itself and about yourself. A bike is not mute; if you listen carefully it will profess its identity clearly. It wants its independence and wants to be fierce and stalwart and capable, but it needs to be coddled and pampered as well. The more respect you have for your bike, the better your relationship will be." - greenmachinecycles.com

When we learned of Green Machine’s plans to close, we asked community members to share their memories as a farewell to that incredible shop around the corner. Without further ado, here’s what you had to say:

This shop helped me realize dreams I scarcely knew I harbored. Stopped in 3 years ago to get a broken HELMET BUCKLE replaced from a lid I purchased elsewhere, on a tip from Crafty Beaver that Ezra likely stocked something to extend the life of my otherwise still viable brainbucket. Wound up buying first new bike EVER (been riding handmedowns and secondhands since my first 2-wheeler), a cinnabar Kona Rove, outfitted it with racks, front basket and dyno lights for all the bikepacking to visit far-flung family and friends along gravel paths and woodland trails my little green-minded heart desires, rain or shine, night or day, all seasons and conditions, enjoying local resident avian and biannual migratory species all the while, spring peepers and singing insects, to regale my friend, birding buddy and the best bike mechanic in Chicago and beyond with upon my return. A huge loss for the community, and available to help through the transition with high hopes for future chapters in the Green Machine Cycles story.

– Rachel Kowalczyk

I finally committed to getting a bicycle after wanting one for a while to commute to work. Ezra walked me through the 101s, fixed up the bike I got, and when it got stolen and torn up (and then returned…long story!) he kindly brought it back to life so I could bike safely again. You could tell he approached the work with such care and appreciation for the community around.

In…2014?, I was a young utility cyclist in Chicago. Green Machines hosted a 101 about cargo bikes – something I dreamed to own someday. I pedaled up to Montrose, attended the workshop and tested a few cargo bikes. I don’t think Green Machines continued with cargo bikes, but ever since I was hooked. Fast forward a bunch of years, I now ride Ravenswood with my kiddos in my cargo bike – rain, snow, sleet, and shine. Thanks Green Machine!

I don’t have much of a story, but I trusted Green Machine with my beloved bike and they always took care with it. They were really friendly and I am very sad to see them go.

– Mollie

When we hosted our first Family Bike Fest event in 2016, Green Machine Cycles rolled up on the scene with a bike trailer full of cargo bikes. For hours, they answered questions and allowed families to test ride cargo bikes, which were newer family biking solutions at the time. Ezra and his shop are responsible for lots of biking families in Chicago!

– Rebecca Resman

Ezra is a pillar of the community and will be missed! As an avid cycling family we were all grateful that we could count on him. We are wishing him all the best after the loss of his long time lease. May the future it hold better things to come! It may be too late for the article but we wanted to share how much of an impact he had.

Back when I lived in the neighborhood I always took my cargo bike to Ezra’s shop. He was excellent with custom requests and always knowledgeable and helpful. Never pushy, never condescending or elitist. Just good honest service. The closing of Green Machine is a loss for the community.

Our family is SO grateful to Ezra and his staff at Green Machine for being such a wonderful place for us to get advice about bikes, have our bikes repaired, purchase helmets, lights, etc. They were always so knowledgeable and gave honest advice and guidance. They provided such good service to us all! In addition, we are grateful to Ezra’s service to our school, Ravenswood Elementary. He was a strong advocate for our students and families. We really appreciated his presence! We already miss him and Green Machine. Our children have commented repeatedly that they feel sad about the closure.

While it was only a small moment in the lifespan of this shop, after being sick for years I finally got back on the bike (literally) and Ezra was so kind to help me not only get it back to life but also to offer to change out the basket hack I’d used with bungees and to make sure I was set for success. I really appreciated it and wish him the best of luck in his journey. I hope he also gets back on the bike and hopefully reopening or doing something even better in the ward.

– Sandy

I went to Green Machine last summer since I bought an affordable bike from a neighbor but a part eventually came off. Instead of trying to repair the part, David and Ezra guided me towards a really nice city bike. They mentioned that sure, they could repair the bike, but I’d be coming back continually since it was a makeshift part from a cool guy who repairs them here in Ravenswood. Long story short, I got a nice Kona bike which has led me all over the city. All types of intense cyclists give me props about the bike, all because of David and Ezra. I got a chance to see Ezra on the last day and thank him. He led his business the right way with integrity and whatever he may do in his next chapter, I’m confident he’ll succeed because of his good character. Godspeed Ezra!

So, the people have spoken. To Green Machine Cycles, Ezra, and everyone else who played a part in keeping this whole operation going: we hope you know the impact you’ve had, and we’re grateful for the years. To you, reader: take care, be well, and keep cycling on.

Have a story or memory you’d like to share? We’d love to feature you above! Submit it using this form or email Grace at grace@ravenswoodchicago.org!

Looking Back at 13 Years of Green Machine Cycles in Ravenswood

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