What Role Do Local Bike Shops Play in Building Cycling Communities?

Question

What do you think of the role that local bike shops play in growing the cycling community?

Answer 1

Local bike stops are important in cementing the local cycling community. They are an integral part of the local bike scene, creating opportunities for learning, meeting, and exchanging support with other cyclists. A great local bike shop can help develop all sorts of local cycling communities be it family biking, mountain biking or any other type. It is inconceivable that a bike shop would flourish if there was no such community and on the other hand, the cycling community cannot grow without a good local bike shop. They’re both essential and they’re both needed if cycling has to progress.

Comments

I feel grateful that my city (Calgary, Canada) has BikeBike. When I found them it was a breath of fresh air- no judgement about my body size, gender, or experience riding a bike. They’re also super passionate about what they carry in store. 10/10.

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Thoughtful piece. Thank you. I bought my first road bike 12+ years ago from the dominant LBS in my city here in Orlando, FL. The woman who sold me the bike was terrific. That said, subsequent experiences there gave me a bit of a "bro-vibe". I've since bought 2 more of the same brand bikes, one from the LBS here, and another from a LBS in MD. Purchase experiences were okay. I've done bike fits in one of these shops locally, and in a 3rd shop in MD. Owner of the 3rd shop in MD was awesome--not a lick of arrogance, just knowledgable and helpful. All that said, none of these shops offer recumbents. The implicit message is, "Well, now that you are older, time for you to consider an E-bike." To heck with that! At 65 I'm entirely capable of powering myself. This is not to say I don't appreciate or might not get an E-Bike a few years from now. So, over the last couple of years, I researched and found a LBS 109 miles away where the owner spent lots of time over months before the sale and then at the sale. My 2-wheel recumbent is a blast to ride though there has been a learning curve. It is so much easier on my back and other precious parts. And, when I'm done, I feel great! No more BPS (Bent Pretzel Syndrome). Yes to all your points and, look into leading the public in understanding the benefits of recumbents.

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Access to safe riding areas is foremost. Then community building.. rides that’s aren’t competitions. Bring back the shops with espresso/ beer that encourage people to hang out and talk with each other. It’s such a rare experience these days..
I think a bike show would be pretty awesome.
Locals get together on corners and lots for car shows where they display their cars, why not bikes? I’d go to that!

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I have been cycling as an adult since 1972. Our local bike shop in Tampa had a van with roof racks and bike related stickers all over it. We went to tours and races from Coconut Grove to Mount Dora in that van, we met at the store for rides and.... E.J. the owner, was at every bike club meeting and... never took off his rear view mirror from his glasses.

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Fabulous vid, Arleigh! I'm really digging the family bike community scene that is emerging and growing in Minneapolis. I have an upcoming episode with Laura Mitchell up there that will drop on Friday, Oct 4th. Also, I'd love to have you back on the Pod if and when you're up for it. Keep up the amazing work. Cheers! John

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LBS’s should stop hiring roadies to sell bikes. Also, seminars on bike maintenance and bike safety help bring the cycling community together as well as group rides. And I’m not talking about racing groups. I always thought it was a good idea to hire young kids as apprentices. Get them hooked and their friends as well.

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The bike shops that are doing well is almost always the case of creating community, also trying to focus on one or two type of cycling! Those bugs stores that do a bit of everything get kinda busy in the summer or whatever the bike season is in the town but after that, no more projects to keep the shop busy enough! I visit some fantastic shops. Great content

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Trek has been crushing it with their brand stores. All the things you mentioned. Knowledgeable staff with, Customer Service skills, quick turnarounds on repairs.(they will fix anything) and group rides and events+ they always send a service team to help out at races.
With the local shops it’s hit or miss, with Knowledge and customer service, but they all suffer latency with repair times. Local shop owners and managers should read your content and take it heart. Thank you for sharing. Make your multi city family rides happen. It will be worth it!

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Thank you for yet another excellent discussion. Spot on.  When I bought my Tern HSD Gen2 p5i i wanted to buy and maintain it through my LBS because I had done a lot of research (wanted to be certain before shelling out a lot of money to get best possible quality for my requirements) and knew enough to know that i needed a local specialist to maintain the complexities of the bike. I was astounded to discover (somewhat dismayed) that I knew more about this bike and the Bosch systems than anyone local (still not enough though). I was fortunate that the newish Australian Tern distributor was able to deliver my bike to Canberra so I was able to meet him and ask many more detailed questions. However on the broader issue of improving the cycling community and infrastructure to seriously challenge car driving, there seems to be a lot more required: better integrated and safer cycleways as well as secure bike parking (garages!) in major transport, shopping and CBD hubs as well as in higher density residential areas. Bikes need to be considered as more than recreational vehicles with service and emergency repair facilities like the car industry (recently discovered a local guy who was quite dismayed with the same issues in LBSs as you and he has started up a mobile bike servicing and emergency response business). I’m on the lookout for innovative community events also through the Canberra cargo bike community and Pedal Power (cycling advocacy group). I do think that Bosch and some of the major bike companies could perhaps combine efforts with the community advocacy groups to promote events and hot issues to build up the community and lobby governments for improvements to infrastructure.

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There are shops that live the life and those that sell the bike.  Those that live the life and integral to their community.  The corporate stores are really feel like plastic.  Cargo bikes are still pretty niche.  I would love to see much more of them, but the cost of entry and lack of safe infrastructure keeps all but the hardcore away.

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I'd come to a family bike event. The closest thing to a big casual ride we've had around here was the Tour de Fat a number of year ago. It could be good to do family bike rides to events were streets are closed to cars like Durham's Centerfest, etc.

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The LBS I patronise - Retro Rides in Ottawa, Ont. - is involved in local cycling initiatives. Their owner was on the board of the local bike recycling shop. They primarily sell good quality refurbished bikes; but they really simply seem to like bicycles, bicycling, and ordinary bicyclists.  They also perform repair work quickly - often for walk/limp ins - and on time, which many shops just don't do (some of us can't be without a bike for a week and a half, for example).

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Great content. I think there is a ton to learn from Somerville/Cambridge MA. Local test ride events, family rides, an e-bike “library”, active support via a community, etc.. All of this possible through endless work from a few volunteer leaders who have probably 10x’d cargo bikes in this area in the last few years. Go to any kid event (school, soccer) and it’s crazy how many bikes are now used.

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Great content! New subscriber (and experienced commuter) here. I appreciate your perspective. I've been thinking about what it would look like to one day work in the bike industry, and this was certainly helpful. Aside from improving the customer service experience, as you mentioned, I think we need to grow the customer base by being good advocates for cycling, which you also talked about (when you mentioned being welcoming and inclusive). There are so many barriers to entry for a person just starting out, and in my experience, it can be intimidating. I've found a few cyclists to be welcoming, but I had to learn a lot on my own. It seems like it would be in the interest of a local bike shop to have more bikes on the road, and one way to do that is to foster a beginner's environment in the area through marketing, outreach, and presence at community/family festivals (which you asked about). Some of those beginners may become customers for life and will be willing to invest in more expensive bikes and equipment. Anyway, I'm so glad I found your content! I wish you the best of luck!

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I am trying something on Saturday the day before the equinox... I am hosting a mtb equinox coffee ride where I will set up a small cafe far up the trail. The point is to slow things down. Certainly not a Strava ride. Enjoy getting out and enjoy the peace. I am urging riders to leave their beer in the parking. Ride to this destination at their own pace and get a coffee and enjoy the moment. A celebration of the season and the beauty of mountain bikes. Hikers are welcome too.

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Setting up a hydration station along a popular bike route might be a good way to spread the word about your shop and also get feedback from the local players.

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The London Bicycle Cafe here in London Ontario has been fantastic, doing everything that you're talking about!

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We love our local bike shops in minneapolis, mn! Ive always wanted to do some group rides to expand networks, but havent found a fit. Every event around here has massive bike parking (6 months each year!)