Today we shine the spotlight on City Bike Tampa, a full-service downtown bicycle shop offering new bicycle sales, full repairs, bike rentals, fun accessories, and more! Open in Downtown Tampa for three years they are Open and available to you and 7 days a week. We spoke with owner Kevin Craft about the future of this bike shop going out of the way to please residents and tourists alike as they bike Tampa!
As they celebrate their 3rd anniversary at City Bike Tampa we asked Kevin about his plans for the future. Craft replied, "I'd like to further establish myself at this location and perhaps in 5-10 years expand." His goal is to be everybody's local bike shop and the hub for cycling in Tampa. When asked what it is that makes his shop stand out he cites the personality of his employees, saying they are true characters, "People just love the staff, that and I have the BEST shop dog ever in Macey!" Kevin says his staff has the uncanny ability to, "..figure out what people want when they aren't exactly sure themselves," Like Mr. Ollivander, City Bike Tampa staff are adept at matching the person to the bike! Craft went on to say, "Our people are good at helping people decide what will work best for them."
City Bike Tampa likes to have fun! They offer group rides every Monday, bike shop parties and at times will have bands in the store! Curious about deals and specials, we asked and learned they do offer store discounts and deals now and then, Kevin said the best way to learn about their deals, parties, events and more is to keep up with their Facebook page.
Kevin worked in a bike store many years ago when he began racing. The more involved he got with the biking community the more he loved it and felt driven to open a shop of his own. Kevin shared one aspect of the business he truly loves, "Refurbishing, I like taking old bikes and giving them a new life," His customers will tell you it's not unusual to see Kevin in there working on bikes right alongside his mechanics. Watch this man in his shop and it isn't difficult to see his passion for bikes and cycling. It runs deep!
Most important to Kevin is offering the best customer service, great bikes, and a great experience. Peter Gonella, a recent rental customer said this, "I visited City Bike in May when my son was graduating UT. I needed to get on a bike to clear my head for a while. The staff was friendly and helpful, they made me feel like a local. Great rental bikes and service, I highly recommend." For us, it's that "made me feel like a local" part of Peter's statement that resonates. City Bike Tampa makes Tampa look good!
Did you know that Tampa offers over 120 miles of on-street bike lanes and 72 miles of greenway and trails? Kevin offers a Tampa Bike Map so you can easily cycle the city! It's businesses like City Bike Tampa pioneering the push towards safer roads, stronger communities, and a bicycle-friendly city making the difference. Through information, advocacy and promotion, companies like Kevin's work to celebrate and preserve the freedom cycling brings to locals and visitors.
As kids our bicycles represented freedom, it brought us together and made life better. If you think about it nothing has changed, we may be older, but the same rings true today, bicycling still brings people together, and as Kevin points out, "When more people ride bikes life is better for everyone, people are healthier and communities are environmentally cleaner." Kevin wants everyone to recognize and enjoy the benefits of bicycling.
Riverwalk in front of Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Stop into City Bike Tampa between N. Tampa St. and Franklin on Cass St, where you can get everything from a quick safety 'check-up' to a complete 'overhaul'. They will even pick your bike up for you depending on your zip code! You can rent bikes and cruise down the Riverwalk this weekend, stopping at great places like Champions Sports Bar & Grille at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina for lunch, or shop top-brands for the holidays, bikes make the perfect gift! We encourage you to support this small local business, pop in next chance you get to meet Kevin and one of the best shop dogs in Tampa, Macey! See what's in store at City Bike Tampa, your Downtown Tampa bike shop and let Kevin point you in the right direction.
