Bike Shops

As Brick-and-Mortar Bike Shops Struggle, A New Model Emerges on Social Media

When the pandemic-induced bicycle boom went bust a couple of years ago, a number of long-established Chicago bike shops became casualties of the slowing market. But new models are emerging.

By AJ LaTrace

5:13 PM EDT on March 26, 2025

As Brick-and-Mortar Bike Shops Struggle, A New Model Emerges on Social Media

*This post is sponsored by Keating Law Offices.*

When the pandemic-induced bicycle boom went bust a couple of years ago, a number of long-established Chicago bike shops became casualties of the slowing market. From perennial institutions like Cycle Smithy and On the Route, to newer entrants like Earth Rider Cyclery, our city witnessed an unprecedented contraction in independent bike shops in the last few years.

The post As many bricks-and-mortar bicycle retailers struggle to survive, a new social media-driven DIY bike shop model emerges appeared first on Streetsblog Chicago.

AJ LaTrace

Bicycling | Bike Shops | Chucky Berls | Logan Square | Sustainable Transportation Advocacy

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