May is Bike Month! The rainy winter is finally behind us, which means it’s a great time to hop on your bike and explore more of Oakland. Whether you’re looking to dust off your old bike that’s been sitting in the garage, a seasoned commuter ready to take on the summer months, or just bike-curious, there are tons of small businesses around the Town that can fill your needs and share your love for cruising on two wheels.
Bike shops
There are several bike shops to check out if you’re in the market for a new bike or just need a tune-up for your trusty steed.
Archer Bicycle is conveniently located right by the 12th St BART station on 13th Street. The beret-wearing and bespectacled proprietor, Greg, is extremely helpful in addressing any of your concerns. King Kog is also located downtown on 17th Street. They have an inventory of vintage and new bikes, and are one of very few Bianchi retailers in the East Bay. They also have another location in Brooklyn, so they know urban cyclists’ needs from coast to coast.
The beloved Pioneer Bike Shop, which has been serving the Oakland cycling community for nearly fifty years, is located just off of Piedmont Avenue not far from the Kaiser Permanente Medical campus. Tip Top Bike Shop is in Temescal on Telegraph Avenue, and they carry primarily Marin and Surly brand bikes.
Located on San Pablo in the Gaskill district of North Oakland, Cosmic Cycles has a cute storefront and offers a unique inventory of new and vintage bikes.
Up in Montclair, Rhythm Bikes sells a variety of mountain bikes from Pivot and Yeti. They also offer Trek mountain, road, hybrid, and electric bikes.
By the lake, you’ll find Lakeview Bicycle. In addition to the typical bike shop offerings, they also have rental bikes available, which are perfect for touring your out-of-town visitors around on two wheels. Continuing up Grand, you’ll find Cycle Sports, which is a spacious shop that carries a wide selection of accessories and bikes for riders of all ages.
If you are passionate about the intersection of cycling and social justice, there are several local bike shops with a social mission. The Laurel Cyclery donates some of its bikes to The Bikery, an East Oakland shop run by the nonprofit Cycles of Change, and Bikes 4 Life is a longstanding neighborhood bike shop and nonprofit organization in West Oakland right by the BART station. Be sure to check out Bike East Bay’s list of community bike shops, most of which are not-for-profit and focus on education and community building.
Businesses for People Who Love Bikes
Luckyduck Bicycle Cafe is your one-stop shop for great sandwiches and brews, served with a side of new and used bicycle parts and accessories. There’s also a workshop and mechanic on site to service any repairs you might need. They host many bike-related events, including a recurring Saturday morning ride series. And of course, they offer indoor bike parking so you can savor your meal without worrying about bike thieves.
Indoor bike parking is also available at Hawk & Pony, a popular cafe located in the heart of Temescal. In West Oakland, Ghost Town Brewing offers a ton of indoor bike racks adorably shaped like coffins in their cavernous (or cadaverous?) warehouse space.
If you’re not feeling quite so dark, parklets are a great way to enjoy the sunshine at your favorite cafe while taking advantage of the extra bike parking space they provide. Hive, the Place to Bee in the Laurel and Farley’s East in Uptown both have parklets with bike racks in front of their businesses.
On the streets, nearly thirty businesses have bike corrals installed outside their storefronts. Businesses can apply for the City to install these corrals, so consider mentioning this service to your favorite local establishment. And next time you’re cruising around Uptown, be sure to take advantage of the large bike rack in the Hive complex that houses Drake’s Dealership, Peoples Barber & Shop, Calavera, Firebrand Artisan Breads, and Red Bay Coffee.
To fuel your soul, grab a cup of Bicycle Coffee at their Jack London Square location or at their new cafe in the lobby of the Breuner Building in Uptown. You can also find their pedal-powered stall at the Grand Lake Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Rock the Bike is a unique business tackling the climate change crisis through pedal- and people-powered activities. Contract their services for your next event to provide a fun and environmentally-conscious attraction.
Some businesses even have special deals for cyclists! Arizmendi offers a 10% discount to customers with a bike helmet – a delicious reward for making safety the first priority. And Feelmore Adult Gallery offers a 10% discount for cyclists when they pay in cash.
What are your favorite bike-friendly businesses in Oakland? Did we miss any? Share your recommendations (or just props to these awesome businesses) by tagging us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
