the Importance of BMX-Focused Shops
I could write an entire essay on why bike shops--specifically BMX-focused ones--are vital to BMX culture; but, instead I will assume that since you are on this site, you already somewhat know the reasons why. Just as a reminder though, you should listen to the podcast we already did on this topic right HERE. After that, you should turn to the project below as it is designed to allow bike shops to tell you in their own voices why they believe they are important in relation to their own communities.
In order to help support "BMX-focused" shops and all of the vital things they do for our culture, I wanted to provide a place for those shops to share what they do for BMX and their perspectives on their place in our culture, and also to be spotlighted for BMXers to see. It is my hope that this page will continue to grow and fill up with interviews conducted with "BMX-focused" shops around the US (and eventually around the world) so that more BMXers from all over the place can find and support them.
A quick explanation of my methodology:
-- There are MANY bike shops in the world, but I began this project with those that I had a convenient connection to. This list is by no means exhaustive and is meant to be an ever-growing repository.
-- I have decided to approach shops that fall under the category of “BMX-focused.” If I chose to do “BMX-only” shops, the list would be small and exclusionary. Many shops realize that “BMX-only” is not always the best model for their particular circumstances and thus have diversified or even began as something other than “BMX-only.” As you will see in the interviews, the shops define themselves in regards to how they fit the mold, but they are all shops that do more than just “sell BMX.” The true test of being “BMX-focused” is if they can answer one of the main questions I ask: How do you support BMX/the scene/riders in your community?
-- Some shops have become mail-orders and vice-versa. As such, I have included some mail-order companies in this project as they too can answer that same important question mentioned above.
-- If you think I need to reach out to a certain shop that is not featured here (I probably already have them on a list, though!), you can--and should--reach out to me and let me know the name of the shop and who to contact right HERE.
Now, please click the buttons below to learn about the hard and constructive work being done at the front-line of BMX culture.
- Mike Hinkens
April, 2020
In order to help support "BMX-focused" shops and all of the vital things they do for our culture, I wanted to provide a place for those shops to share what they do for BMX and their perspectives on their place in our culture, and also to be spotlighted for BMXers to see. It is my hope that this page will continue to grow and fill up with interviews conducted with "BMX-focused" shops around the US (and eventually around the world) so that more BMXers from all over the place can find and support them.
A quick explanation of my methodology:
-- There are MANY bike shops in the world, but I began this project with those that I had a convenient connection to. This list is by no means exhaustive and is meant to be an ever-growing repository.
-- I have decided to approach shops that fall under the category of “BMX-focused.” If I chose to do “BMX-only” shops, the list would be small and exclusionary. Many shops realize that “BMX-only” is not always the best model for their particular circumstances and thus have diversified or even began as something other than “BMX-only.” As you will see in the interviews, the shops define themselves in regards to how they fit the mold, but they are all shops that do more than just “sell BMX.” The true test of being “BMX-focused” is if they can answer one of the main questions I ask: How do you support BMX/the scene/riders in your community?
-- Some shops have become mail-orders and vice-versa. As such, I have included some mail-order companies in this project as they too can answer that same important question mentioned above.
-- If you think I need to reach out to a certain shop that is not featured here (I probably already have them on a list, though!), you can--and should--reach out to me and let me know the name of the shop and who to contact right HERE.
Now, please click the buttons below to learn about the hard and constructive work being done at the front-line of BMX culture.
- Mike Hinkens
April, 2020
BMX-Focused Shops Interviews
Use the buttons below to learn about the shops who have submitted responses.