Maryland Planning Blog

The Return of Neighborhood Bicycle Shops: A Sustainable Community Indicator

“The communities that embrace the bicycle and all that goes with it NOW will be the successful communities of the next generation.”

–Alex Obriecht, President Bike Maryland & Race Pace Bicycles

Did you buy that bicycle at the hardware store?

This was quite likely several decades ago. From the 1950’s through the 1970’s, you could often find a bicycle shop combined with a local hardware store in communities throughout the U.S. This was a unique 20th century retail combination that was often located on or near a main street or at a nearby neighborhood commercial center.

Retail operated differently decades ago and both bicycle shops and hardware stores often were located in the neighborhood. Sometimes that first paper-route bike or later the Schwinn Stingray, Varsity or Paramount 10-speed was purchased at one of these long gone local hardware & bicycle shops.

Several years thereafter there was a commercial transition where retail began to move to suburban-oriented shopping centers. The local hardware and bicycle shops, which were often located a couple blocks from one’s home, decoupled and became separate retail establishments located at shopping complexes along major highways or near the freeway interchange.

Can I get fries with that bike?

When local bicycle shops moved further out to the newer shopping centers they often changed their retail focus. Within a few years large mass discount department store retailers moved into regional markets and many remaining neighborhood-oriented bicycle shops closed when they were no longer price competitive. The larger retail footprint was a byproduct of ‘economies to scale’ where more retail product could be offered per square foot lowering overall cost of operation. What seemed like a plus for consumers was often a detriment to neighborhood retail area as local bicycle shops and hardware stores moved away and were accessible primarily by car.

This was the age of “Happy Motoring,” so from an access perspective major shopping centers were not what you might call “bicycle friendly environments.” Shopping centers were planned and built using prevailing suburban zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations in which commercial land uses were separated from residential. Larger shopping centers were usually served by major highways with freeway access. They were not planned as cycling or pedestrian friendly environments. Depending on local ordinances, pedestrian sidewalks and trails to adjacent residential areas usually were the exception, not the rule.

As it pertains to bicycle retail, stores at large retail complexes on or near major highways usually had higher sales volumes and could move more bicycle inventory than the local bike shops located in or near downtown or the old neighborhood.

With the loss of many neighborhood bicycle shops, parents began substituting K-Mart or Walmart for that holiday bicycle purchase. This trend further hastened the demise of local bicycle shops as large national retailers became the location where most bikes were sold. Somehow bicycles were often confused with toys, so where else should one expect to find them but in the toy section of large discount department store. Even with the emergence of adult off-road mountain biking and road cycling in the 1980s and 1990s, the overwhelming majority of bicycle retail in the U.S. remained associated with children’s bikes.¹

In retrospect, civil engineers and transportation planners of earlier generations prioritized moving ever larger volumes of cars and trucks more efficiently on existing road systems. In the age when the personal automobile was a status symbol and a driver’s license a rite of passage for young adults, bicycles were not viewed as a viable transportation mode. Over time, there were fewer places where individuals and families felt that they could ride a bicycle safely. Even if you had once walked or bicycled to school or had used your bike to serve a paper route in and around your community a decade or two before, a perception arose that this was not possible anymore because traffic was unsafe. This was an unfortunate case where traffic engineering and general perceptions coincided and bicycles nearly disappeared in many communities. Except for a corps of dedicated cyclists, the bicycle often became a garage ornament or a rusted icon that was of little value even at the neighborhood flea market.

Do you bike commute?

Today there is a renewed focus on bicycling where people live and work. In fact, in many Maryland communities the automobile is now playing a much smaller part and as many look to live closer to work bicycling has become an economic alternative to driving. Bike Maryland President and local bike shop owner Alex Obriecht put it this way:

“Owning an automobile is a substantial encumbrance in so many ways – owning two is even more so. The myriad costs associated with the automobile make alternatives a wise choice economically.”

This did not occur by happenstance though. Localities throughout Maryland began planning for bicycle access following the passage of the 1995 Bicycle-Pedestrian Total Access 2000 Act. This legislation jumpstarted planning for bicycle access and the investment in cycling infrastructure. Subsequent legislation and nearly two decades of investments in trail and on-road bicycle infrastructure by state and local government gave rise to the recent increase in bicycling in Maryland communities. Over this period bicycles moved from being an occasional sighting to an accepted mode of transportation and recreation in nearly all areas of the state.

Associated with this is the re-emergence of the “neighborhood bicycle shop.” While some bicycle shops never moved away, many are returning to neighborhoods where one lives rather than non-accessible shopping centers where one has to drive. Another emerging trend is that the retail focus of many bike shops is becoming much broader serving much more than lycra-clad cyclists and triathletes. Now many full service bicycle stores cater to a range of bicycle activities from commuters to children to trail biking to road cycling to racing and to a newer generation who are often choosing to live “car free,” living solely by bicycle, transit, car sharing, rail and bike sharing.

Keep in mind that neighborhood bicycle shops sell bicycle parts and tools and offer tune ups and repair. This may go under the radar, but tires, tubes, cables, chains, patch kits, brake pads, etc. are essential items for cyclists, and much like access to auto parts and auto repair shops is indispensable for motorists. Having access to bicycle parts several blocks from home is really useful if you rely on your bicycle for commuting and transportation purposes. Large discount department stores may retail low end bicycles, but one is hard pressed to find a suitable spoke wrench or a specific bottom bracket at the closest Walmart.

If You Build It They Will Cycle

There is a strong case that the re-emergence of neighborhood bicycle shops is an indicator for smart and sustainable communities. Keep in mind, bicycle shop owners are very astute retailers and are quite aware of markets and trends, particularly those in the communities where they operate. Bicycle retailers who have chosen to invest in a community or remain in the neighborhood are bellwethers of change in the industry as a whole. This change bodes well for local communities and for sustainability efforts in Maryland.

Take a look at the changes that are occurring in the communities where neighborhood bicycle shops operate. Often there is a substantial amount of bicycling activity in and around the community. Cyclists are frequent seen riding on adjacent streets and bicycles are not solely mounted as appendages to automobiles. Usually there are bicycle racks not only at the shop, but up and down the commercial corridor and over at the library, public school or community center. Often there is a nearby hiker/biker trail where one can see both children and adults riding or walking or local bicycle routes on designated streets. If you inquire further there is often a Safe Routes to Schools program serving the local middle or elementary school that is supported by the neighborhood bicycle shop. Local cycling rides may originate at the shop at certain times of the day or on weekends. Sometimes adult or children bicycle training or rodeos in a nearby park or parking lot, which is also sponsored by the local shop.

Penny Troutner, the owner of Light Street Cycles, has operated for over 20 years in a commercial area in South Baltimore. Residents of the area say that her shop is a vital resource for new and experienced cyclists in the greater Federal Hill community. Penny has long promoted civic activities and advocacy related to bicycle safety and full access and accommodation on city streets and on local transit. Not surprisingly, her shop in Federal Hill is seen by many as the catalyst that encouraged bicycling to become a daily routine for hundreds of residents both new and old in Baltimore. The shop’s location near the Cross Street Market is a key element of this relationship. It is located on a central commercial street leading to and from downtown and is near to the juncture of other bicycle routes leading to different parts of the city. This central location has enabled bicycling to become a sustainable way of life for many residents in South Baltimore from those who have little money for other forms of transportation to those who can afford bicycles costing several thousand dollars. The value of this type of shop to creating long term sustainable transportation choices and healthy living alternatives for residents of a community should not be underestimated. In fact, locally accessible bicycle shops are essential to the success of local bicycle master plans and bicycle facility investments throughout Maryland.

Share the Road: Bicycles Are Vehicles Too

Notice those painted bicycle lanes on the streets? Often these are indicated by “sharrows,” which resemble “sergeant stripes” pointing like an arrow with a bicycle symbol. Some communities are adopting “green lanes” which are bicycle lanes that are engineered with rigorous attention to safety, efficiency and ease of travel.²

“Share the Road” and related bicycle signs serve to inform all users to expect many different forms of vehicles out on streets and roads and to operate with care and respect for fellow road users.

Transit buses with bike racks and a bicycle attached on the front are a key element in the entire network. Transit buses connect this neighborhood to other areas and to other transportation options in and around the town, city, county or region. This tells the cyclist that one can ride a bicycle for transportation or recreation from one’s front door to just about any place that is connected to the bicycle or transit network.

Most importantly pedestrians and cyclists can be seen where neighborhood bicycle shops are locating. What’s more, many of these folks live in or near the area and bicycled or walked to the shop. This trend should be noted because local cyclists and pedestrians are crucial to the economic health and sustainability of an area. They breathe life into the local businesses and attract new retailers to the area. As District of Columbia’s Planning Director Harriet Tregoning likes to say, “cyclists and pedestrians are indicator species for smart growth.”

Neighborhood Bicycle Shops are a Trend That Makes Small Business Sense

While various market forces appear to support the return of bicycle shops to neighborhoods, for some retailers one factor appears to be hastening it: Millennials. This is a generation which has embraced cycling as an alternative to the automobile. Much has been written that Millennials (or Gen Y) prefer to “cruise the internet instead of the main drag.”³ While the definitive analysis has yet to be completed, there is a significant trend among young Americans who are choosing to opt out of driving motor vehicles.⁴ Whether by choice or necessity, Gen Y tends to favor living in communities that are walkable, are bicycle friendly, and that have transit.

Neighborhood bicycle retailers are very well aware of this trend and are betting the shop that car-free Millennials will be soon joined by other age groups in reinventing urban and suburban landscapes without the automobile as the centerpiece.

This trend may go under the radar of most planners, but is a change worth noting. While they are only one part of reinventing communities, neighborhood bicycle shops can indicate

healthy changes in local transportation, recreation and social patterns. Neighborhood bicycle shops are an indicator of community health as well as revitalization of the economic health of a local business area. Recent studies indicate that communities where small, locally-owned businesses account for a relatively large share of the economy have stronger social networks and more engaged citizens with excellent problem solving skills.⁵ Independent businesses are credited with creating environments that foster interaction and this leads to more engaged and resilient communities.

Local bike shops can serve as magnets for other retailers to locate nearby. Often coffee shops, sandwich and bagel shops, bakeries, sushi and other food retail can be found within a stone’s throw of a neighborhood bicycle shop. This makes sense since food is the primary fuel source for cyclists and coffee is a preferred beverage of adult cyclists. Other forms of neighborhood retail also seems benefit from proximity to the nearby bike shop as do local farmer’s markets. It has been noted that there are market opportunities waiting to be explored including locally-based “You Shop We Ship” for cyclists not inclined to carry items acquired at nearby retail shops.

While the neighborhood hardware store may not be coming back, some once declining neighborhood shopping areas are now seeing a return to higher end retail and restaurants. Window shopping and on-street cafes are reappearing with the additional cyclists and pedestrians on the street. Only a decade ago pundits predicted the demise of brick and mortar retail with the advent of on-line shopping. Apparently they forgot to inform neighborhood bicycle retailers and their loyal and growing customer base of this trend.

Neighborhood Bicycle Shops promote Maryland’s Visions for a Sustainable Future

Neighborhood bicycle shops dovetail nicely with Maryland’s Twelve Planning Visions which are the key performance measures of Maryland’s ongoing effort to develop and implement sound growth and development policies.⁶ Most prominently, neighborhood bicycle shops enhance the “Quality of Life and Sustainability” for residents of nearby neighborhoods, schools and community. Jeff Dalik, owner of Aviation Velo in Linthicum illustrates this point:

“I am a destination for Cub Scout ‘Go See It’ and ‘Bike Rodeo’ events; we offer free safety inspections of bikes and helmets.”

This is not unusual, often staff from local bike shops organize children educational events like bike rodeos or organize local “safe routes to schools” efforts. They serve a valuable community function by educating children and adults on sustainable bicycling practices, helmet use and safe practices when riding roads and trails.

Some would contend that neighborhood bicycle shops also enhance “Community Design” in communities, as the accompanying photos indicate. Whatever they may look like from the outside these businesses support the efficient use of land and transportation resources by providing healthy cycling alternatives to sole reliance on automobile travel for both transportation and recreation.

Most importantly, neighborhood bike shops support Maryland’s “Transportation” vision by enhancing use of multimodal transportation that is convenient, affordable and efficient. Also, keep in mind that local bicycle retailers are strong proponents of Maryland’s “Economic Development” vision in that neighborhood bicycle shops provide local employment opportunities while making use of existing public facilities, streets and trails, in the communities where they are located.

Does your community have a Bike Score? – If not, it will soon

Scott Westcoat is an owner and “Chief of Cycology” at the newly opened HUB/C’Ville Bikes in Catonsville. He offers the following observations on his location choice along a main street in the center of an older established community in Southwest Baltimore County.

“The Frederick Road Main Street has been a true advantage in our overall community-centric approach to integrating into the community. The current resurgence of the Frederick Road corridor has boasted new business, life and energy into a 4 block stretch of Catonsville’s downtown ‘village’ The bicycle business is definitely one of the few business that has a true ‘throwback’ feel to it as bicycles have been a part of Catonsville for as long as Catonsville has been around….true Americana.”

Regarding the current state of the bicycle industry, Scott adds the following:

“The bicycle industry has adapted over the years to the various styles and disciplines of riding. There continue to be very specialized segments of the market geared toward very specific uses BUT, for those old enough to remember their one bicycle that was a true ‘do it all’ model, these bikes are now returning in the form of utilitarian offerings for transportation, running around town and taking advantage of the numerous trails and paths around Catonsville. It seems the ‘retro’ trend has made its way into the industry, as single speeds, fixed gears and vintage looking offerings are all the rage but the internal workings of these oldies are true examples of modern innovation.”

Alex Obriecht offers the following thoughts on bicycles and communities:

“The bicycle when embraced by all members of a community makes fantastic sense. Health, pollution, infrastructure costs, noise, street size, parking, it is so smart to ride a bicycle or walk. The key is everyone must buy in. The rewards are just amazing. If one examines cities and towns that saw the light 10 years ago- they are simply better places to live. Everyone benefits, it requires each of us to see how great it can be and then make it happen. Around the world cities are being reinvented without the car as a

Race Pace Bicycles, Westminster, MD
Credit: David Whitaker

centerpiece – and they are loving it.”

One rule of retail is that nothing stays the same. While the trend toward neighborhood bicycle shops may eventually pass, the sustainable features of this type of retail deserve recognition and some appreciation by planning professionals and urbanists. In many areas of Maryland and throughout the mid-Atlantic region bicycle shops appear to be embracing communities and neighborhoods once again and many local communities are likewise embracing bicycle lanes, trails, infrastructure and bicycle-oriented lifestyles. Add to that Gen Y’s trend toward more urban forms of living, as well as an echo of this trend among Baby Boomers and a strong case can be made for communities that embrace both the bicycle and bicycle infrastructure will be the successful, healthy and economically resilient communities of the next generation.

Notes                                                                 

1. International Bicycle Fund. Bicycle Statistics: Usage, Production, Sales, Import, Export http://www.ibike.org/library/statistics.htm
2. Green Lane Project. “What is a Green Lane?” http://greenlaneproject.org/what-is-a-green-lane/
3. Treehugger. “Don’t malign the millenials; The kids are alright” http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/dont-malign-millenials-kids-are-alright.html
4. The Washington Post. “Why aren’t younger Americans driving anymore?” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/22/why-arent-younger-americans-driving-anymore/
5. Grist. “Locally owned businesses can help communities thrive — and survive climate change.” http://grist.org/cities/locally-owned-businesses-can-help-communities-thrive-and-survive-climate-change/
6. Maryland’s Twelve Planning Visions  http://plan.maryland.gov/whatIsIt/12visions.shtml

Related articles

• How to Make Your Town Into a Bike-to-School Mecca (The Atlantic Cities)