Local Bike Shops and Social Media

The age old question of supporting your local bike shop or ordering online has raged for a while and is still a very hot topic. I don’t want to banter the pros and cons of doing so but would rather discuss why local bike shops aren’t taking advantage of social media and trying to draw local riders into their shops.

As most of you know, I’m in the hunt for a new bike. As I sat here at the kitchen table this morning drinking a cup of coffee, wishing I was riding instead, I wrote a tweet saying that I was considering going to a local bike shop to look at what they had to offer. Then I tacked a question onto the end of it: Why aren’t they (the local bike shops) on here (Twitter) trying to get me into their shop?

Social Media Bandwagon - Photo Courtesy of Matt Hamm

I think that’s a valid question. So many people are using social media (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, etc.) and using it to connect to one another. Cyclists in particular are using Twitter like nobody’s business after seeing professionals like Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and Christian Vande Velde (to name a few) create accounts and begin interacting with their fans. Local Bike shops are missing out on this by not using the tools to connect to cyclists in their area. I could see local bike shops offering special discounts or coupons via Twitter, group discussions on Facebook, or posting pictures from the local evening ride on Flickr. Lance Armstrong did this the other day when he invited Twitter followers to a group ride that departed from his own bike shop (Mellow Johnnys).

After posting this tweet I had one follower (thanks for the feedback @lowcandence) say that,

“They may not know where you are. If you are in CA, it wouldn’t do much good for a NY shop to try to get you in.”

I couldn’t agree more. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t people in NY looking for bikes, parts, or repairs. If that’s holding the local bike shops back then that means they don’t know how to use the tools that will connect them to local cyclists. Tools like Twitter Search, TwellowHood, Facebook Search, etc. The tools are there, they just need to use them. Or hire somebody who knows how to use them.

Local bike shops are always complaining that they lose business to online retailers. Fine. But what are they doing to pull the local cyclists in? If they aren’t using social media tools to connect to the cyclist down the street, around the corner, or across town then they are missing out.

Tell me what you think. Am I wrong? Is Social Media not what it’s cracked up to be? Do you know a local bike shop that is using Social Media?

http://cyclochip.com/blog Chip

There are a few local shops on Twitter, and several local bike groups. Not the RBMs or the Plano Cyclings, but smaller shops like Transit and Oak Cliff Bicycle Company. Probably not the shops that could help you find what you’re looking for, but they are there.
http://mildstallion.wordpress.com Al

My LBS (Blue Sky) http://www.blueskybicycles.com/ is on Twitter, and posts Twitter-only deals (http://twitter.com/blueskybicycles).

I’m glad they get it.
http://blog.jasonkearney.net Jason Kearney

You’re right, most LBS are not taking advantage of social networking. I think that there is an attitude by some people, that because Twitter and Facebook are so trendy, they’re going to do the opposite. I’ve heard some people pontificating about social networking, as if they are above it all.
Many people in the retail cycling world have rebellious tendencies–whatever everyone else is doing, they’re going to do the opposite. And they often like the simpler things (what is more simple than bicycles?). My mechanic doesn’t even own a cell phone. This might explain their lack of presence on social networking sites. Also, bike shop owners are passionate about bicycles, but not often about marketing.
Having said all that, my favorite bike shop is on Facebook and MySpace, and are very active on them. They accounce rides, events, sales, etc.
I promote this store on my blog and FB sites as much as anyone, though.
http://www.331miles.blogspot.com/ 331miles

Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin is on Twitter ( @BSS_Austin )
http://bikingtolive.com Bryan

Testing Facebook Connect.
http://bikenoob.wordpress.com Ray

Mellow Johnny’s in Austin is on Twitter as well.
http://www.weiland.net/ Weiland

Many of the Austin shops are:
@SWCycleSport & on facebook too – Southwest Cycle Sport
@hhbicycles – Hammerhead bicycles
Spin City Cycling is on facebook

As well as the mentioned Mellow Johnny’s and Bicycle Sport Shop.
http://www.outsidepgh.com DC

I don’t tweet and I’m not on facebook- checking e-mails once/week is enough. I think I am pretty indicative of the 40-55 year old demographic, so maybe social networking isn’t the panacea everyone thinks. I agree with Jason that some bike shops are not well marketed.

Case in point: The Southside trail (6 mile paved with connections to Heinz field and PNC Park)in Pittsburgh has now gotten so crowded on weekends that I try to ride it on weekdays only. Yet I’ve never seen a bike shop set up a tent or van to help out all of the people who have recently rediscovered the joys of biking or who are taking their 5-6 year olds out biking for the afternoon.

I don’t know seems like a good move to me.
http://blog.jasonkearney.net/ Jason Kearney

You're right, most LBS are not taking advantage of social networking. I think that there is an attitude by some people, that because Twitter and Facebook are so trendy, they're going to do the opposite. I've heard some people pontificating about social networking, as if they are above it all.
Many people in the retail cycling world have rebellious tendencies–whatever everyone else is doing, they're going to do the opposite. And they often like the simpler things (what is more simple than bicycles?). My mechanic doesn't even own a cell phone. This might explain their lack of presence on social networking sites. Also, bike shop owners are passionate about bicycles, but not often about marketing.
Having said all that, my favorite bike shop is on Facebook and MySpace, and are very active on them. They accounce rides, events, sales, etc.
I promote this store on my blog and FB sites as much as anyone, though.