VILLAGE BIKES

Pedalling Through the Pandemic and Beyond

The past year has seen an explosion in the popularity of cycling. Last spring there was a noticeable increase in people out walking and exploring their neighbourhoods. Soon after, likely in an attempt to keep active and also to avoid public transit, people took to their bicycles to ride along quiet streets either alone, in family units, or in organized groups.

Brett Martyniuk, the owner of Village Bikes, is well aware of this phenomenon; his bicycle sales skyrocketed. The global “bike boom” has seen such a strong surge that bicycle retailers are having a hard time keeping them in stock. Brett mentions, “Inventory became scarce and parts started to sell out.”

Bikes will be rolling in throughout the spring and summer. People can get their name on the list and secure their order with a deposit.

Village Bikes has been operating out of one of Steveston’s oldest buildings since 2007. The Martyniuk family has owned the Moncton Street storefront for four generations. In 1937, Brett’s great-grandfather, Peter Martyniuk, operated a barbershop in the front of the store and lived in the back of the building.

Village Bikes is a success story, and with success comes growth.

On March 27, 2021, Village Bikes expanded and opened a second storefront on First Avenue. The larger location is dedicated to retailing new bicycles and accessories while the Moncton Street shop focuses on rentals and repairs.

Accessories you will find at the new store include helmets, locks, lights, panniers, and baskets. Village Bikes will also offer an expanded line of cycling apparel from padded shorts to tops, jerseys, breathable rain jackets, and shoes.

Some of the bike lines carried include Giant, Liv, Kona, and Brodie, as well as select Haro Bikes.

The e-bike trend started three or four years ago, and they are in demand.

E-bikes attract people who want to be active while benefitting from a battery-powered motor. Commuters are drawn to the e-bike, which allows them to easily climb hills, avoid getting sweaty, and travel at speeds as high as 30 km an hour. Added bonuses include saving on gas and parking costs, and saying goodbye to the daily search for a parking spot.

Brett mentions hybrid bikes are also soughtafter. They are designed to endure terrain such as Steveston’s dyke trails, as well as leisure rides along city streets.

Gravel bikes are designed for a combination of conditions, and while they are good for the road, they are also excellent for off-road adventures along mountain trails and gravel paths.

Road bikes are lightweight and are designed for endurance and sport. These are the bikes you will notice when cyclists travel together in groups.

Among the selection of children’s bikes, the balance bike is a popular pick for toddlers. It helps pave the way for their first big kid bike while eliminating the need to progress to training wheels. Brett says, “Once balance is mastered, learning to pedal is a breeze.” He speaks from experience as his two-year-old son Leo has embraced the balance bike and it looks like he will be following in his father’s footsteps as a cycling enthusiast.

Now that Brett is a father he does not have the same amount of time to devote to cycling, however, he enjoys Sunday rides with his friends and commutes two times a week to Steveston from his home in Mount Pleasant.

Brett is grateful for his team that includes shop manager Graeme Burns, sales assistant Justin Preston, along with mechanics Daniel Kelly and Connor Dimmick.

Annual tune-ups are encouraged to ensure your bike is in good working order. Flat tire? With a quick fix and a minimal charge, you will be back in the saddle again.

Between your annual tune-ups, Brett recommends having a few products at home to help keep your bike in excellent working condition. Village Bikes carries a variety of essential tools, lubricants, and cleaning products.

Steveston is a perfect place to cycle—not only is it flat, but it also offers bike trails galore from kilometres of dyke paths to the well-used Railway Avenue corridor. If you prefer riding on the road there are bike lanes integrated into Richmond’s streets to encourage this environmentally friendly mode of commuting.

Brett loves the community that he grew up in. He believes Steveston will always have a small-town feeling. He is extremely thankful to the locals for their support which he has seen increase during the pandemic.

Brett says, “Introducing people to the sport of cycling and talking to people who have been into cycling forever” are among the greatest rewards of being an independent business owner.

June is Bike Month. If you haven’t yet jumped onto the cycling bandwagon, perhaps the warm spring weather will entice you to visit Village Bikes for a tune-up (or order a new bike!). Then pedal over to Garry Point Park for a picnic, and head off east or north on the dyke to take in the great beauty of this area – and just see where your pedal power takes you!

Village Bikes Rental and Repair 3891 Moncton Street Richmond, BC V7E 3A7

Village Bikes Retail 101-12071 First Avenue Richmond, BC V7E 3M1

Telephone 604-274-3865 www.village-bikes.ca