Each month we feature a different member of the Brooklyn Bicycle Co. community and share what makes them tick.

Read on to learn about the most recent member of our community spotlight...

BRENDON NICHOLAS, OWNER, SILK ROAD CYCLES

 

Where is Silk Road Cycles located and explain some of your favorite things about the community surrounding your shop?

We are located in the neighborhood of Greenpoint on the northern tip of Brooklyn, New York. Greenpoint is a small neighborhood with amazing restaurants, bars, small business and our favorite neighbor Brooklyn Bicycle Co ;)

Tell us about Silk Road Cycles. How did you get started and what drew you to selling bikes?

I have been into bicycles ever since my grandfather taught me how to ride one.  But my passion started in University when I walked into this wonderful mom and pop shop and got my first bike shop job. That shop's alumni include Silk Road Cycles's first manager, Eric; pro wrench, Nick; and Silk's longest running employee, Corey. Since working at that shop I've wrenched in and managed bicycle shops on both the east and west coast. When landing in Greenpoint I decided it was time to open my own.

What makes Silk Road unique?

Silk Road is unique because of its staff. I have been so fortunate to work with such wonderful people who are not only passionate about bicycles but are passionate about promoting a positive experience for our customers. No snobbiness here. We go the extra mile and educate our customers. For example, we won't just sell you a lock. We give you the information on how to properly use it and best practices to prevent bicycle theft.

You’re currently splitting your time between Shanghai and Brooklyn. Can you describe what it’s like to ride in both cities? How is it different?

Both cities are large, relatively flat metropolises that are best explored by bike.

The biggest difference between riding in the two is their infrastructures.

The car is becoming king in China but the "Kingdom of Bicycles" is still alive and well. Bicycles and scooters flood the streets and the bicycle/scooter infrastructure is super impressive. Streets are new, clean, and silky smooth.

New York has seen vast improvements in bicycle infrastructure since I moved there ten years ago, which is great... but the roads are riddled with pot holes, uneven pavement, endless construction, etc. It's like mountain biking on city streets. I hope that in the near future this wonderful city invests much more in new and safer infrastructure for all, especially for bicycles and pedestrians.

Run us through your perfect Saturday biking around both Shanghai and Brooklyn.

I love exploring cities by bicycle. It allows for a more connected experience than when you are traveling by trains, buses, or cars and it's way more fun and much faster than walking.

NYC is so unique because of its diversity. It's easy to experience the culture, language, and food of the world by just riding from one neighborhood to the next.

The city of Shanghai is huge! 24 million people, same population as all of Australia!  Lots to discover here. Amazing food....dumplings :), markets, insane sky scrapers, and small neighborhoods that were built by Europeans in the late 1800s, early 1900s.

The most enjoyable aspect of exploring in these cities are the people. You are bound to have some fun interactions.

Share something that you are really excited about right now. Could be a favorite book, recipe, IPA, tv show, dumpling spot, upcoming shop event, etc.

I'm most excited for our move back to living in NYC full time. My wife and I have been living in China for two years and have absolutely loved it!  But we are excited to get back to our favorite city, friends, and our community.

 

 

 

Silk Road Cycles

76 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Located in the neighborhood of Greenpoint