Our Retailer Spotlight of October is Bike Peddler in Salem, Oregon. Get to know them and find out what makes them special in this blog post.
Each month we highlight one of our retail partners to get to know them better. If you have a suggestion for a small business that would be a good home for Po Campo, drop us a line and let us know! Support your local retailers! #ShopLocal #ShopSmall
1. Tell us a bit about your shop. How long have you been in business? Why did you decide to open a store where you did?
Not only was 1974 the year of banana seats and the infamous Schwinn Varsity, but it was the year we launched The Bike Peddler in our beloved town of Salem, Oregon. Our historic downtown was on the cusp of urban renewal, so we thought “Hey, let’s sneak into the epicenter of this change.” We knew that we loved cycling and we hoped that by strategically placing ourselves, others would see this crazy cycling thing as a viable lifestyle option. Because really, everyone is happier when they ride bikes. We’ve been happily keeping cyclists of all ages rolling forward since 1974.
2. What do your customers like best about shopping at your store? What makes The Bike Peddler special?
We understand that not everyone wants to be a racer or an extreme downhill mountain biker. In fact, everyone has a unique perspective on why they want to ride bikes. We take a lot of time to ask questions and really listen to the answers to ensure we’re matching folks up with the right bike and gear to meet their needs and interests. Cycling is obviously important to us, but creating a space where all are welcome is even more important. The second you walk in the door, by default, you become part of our extended family.
3. What does Po Campo bring to your product assortment? Why do you like having us in your shop?
We have been so honored to carry Po Campo. Aside from being well designed and easy on the eye, for us, it symbolizes our commitment to women in our cycling community. We love being able to provide high quality, functional items that make the daily commute or weekend adventure even more enjoyable. As long-time fans of Po Campo (our Robyn can share a first generation bag with you--just ask her and she’ll whip it out with pride), sharing the Po Campo story with riders is deeply satisfying. A woman-owned company solving a problem and solving it well while giving back to the world through the World Bicycle Relief (not to mention her unique flair and zest for life). Heck yeah! More of that, please.
4. What's something you're excited about either in the future of your business, your industry, your city, or just in the world in general?
We are super excited about e-bikes. As design continues to improve and price points drop, we’re seeing the e-bike experience open up possibilities for those who never thought they could ride a bike or for those who thought their days of riding were overdue to mobility issues. The speed and ease of use pave the way for making everyday bike commuting that much more viable.
5. Share a short story about a time when something happened at The Bike Peddler and you were like, "Now this is why I do this!". A good experience with a customer, employee, vendor, etc.
We have a lot of “holy smokes, that was rad!” moments fill our week, but two recent events involving adult trikes take the cake. The first was for a young, eighteen year-old boy who always wanted to ride a bike, but due to developmental and mobility issues, it wasn’t possible. His parents had searched and searched for options, but everything they found was cost-prohibitive. On a whim, they asked us one day if there was anything that could be done for him. So we went to town and began modifying a Sun adult trike--for example, installing a special handlebar and re-routing cables so that he could control the cockpit with his mobile hand, plus fabricating an extended pedal system to keep him secure. You should have heard the giant “WEEEEEE” the first time he pedaled forward. Pure magic. His parents report that he now rides most days.
The second story involves a couple who declared, “We might be old, but we want to have fun!” Age and mobility issues were not going to get in the way of these guys. Again, some modification needed to occur, but we were able to rig up some sweet EVO trikes to meet their needs and installed bike computers so that they could compete against each other in their retirement community.
