Celebrate National Bike Week at Kent Cycle

Kent Cycle: More Than Just a Bike Shop

by Brit Charek 

Kent Cycle opened their doors in March, just in time for cycling season to start. Co-owners Stefan Meyer and Mario Morelos opened the store to accommodate the needs of the ever-growing population of commuter cyclists in Kent. They are both avid cyclists and proud community members, and just all around great guys.

The store is in a charming space that used as a church at one time, and most recently as the main offices of a local concrete supplier. Evidence of the venue’s former lives remains scattered throughout the shop, making it unique. The space is used not only to display and sell bicycles, but to show off the work of local artists and host fun events with live music.

 

The city of Kent's limit on the amount of signs a business can have inspired this mural to be painted on the side of the building.

Owner Stefan poses for a photo with his morning coffee from Bent Tree Coffee Roasters down the street. The "Builders" sign above his head was left from when Horning Builders Supply moved out.

Kent Cycle sells bicycles and cycling accessories and they're excited to be the new home of the Crooked River Cycling School, which offers classes about safety and technique for riders of all ability levels. They also have a full service repair shop, but if you're more of a DIY person, the staff is more than happy to help you locate reasonably priced parts and guide you in the right direction.

This room in the store is sometimes used as a gallery space for local artists to display their work.

 Just in time for summer approaching, this week is National Bike Week. The Akron Metropolitan AreaTransportation Study (AMATS) has several events scheduled in the Greater Akron area, including “The Benefits of Bicycling”on Tuesday, May 22, Kent Free Library from 6:30-8pm. The event is hosted by TransPORTAGE, and Kent Cycle will be there too. They will present information about the health, economic and ecological benefits of embracing a bicycling lifestyle.

 

 

Also, the Kent Bike Club meets every Tuesday night at 5pm at the corner of Main and Water Streets downtown Kent. They're open to all ages and ability levels. To get more information, find them on Facebook, or just ask the nice guys at Kent Cycle.

Kent Cycle is located at 115 Lake Street in Kent. You can visit their website, “like” them on Facebook or just drop in to learn more about what they have to offer.