[Cyclopath]

While these apps are obviously not the cause of gentrification, they're "enablers." Recycled Cycles is closing in Fremont, because their rent went up too much and they can't make it work. They're one of the most affordable bike shops in Seattle; they don't just sell bikes but repair them too. Especially considering how close they are to a major bike-commuting corridor, it was an extremely useful thing to have in the neighborhood. I've unfortunately seen a lot of useful local businesses go belly up for that reason. There used to be a built in correction mechanism. When a neighborhood became desirable and a flood of people moved in, that would have the effect of raising rents. But when businesses started closing because rents got too high, that made a neighborhood less desirable. Who wants to live in a place with no grocery stores? This is where the apps come in. Doesn't matter if there's a grocer; if not, just have your groceries delivered. This breaks the correction mechanism.

[Ski]