Taylor Bike Co. may have only been open for less than a month, but already the store is attracting the notice of at least one high-profile resident.
On Dec. 16, Mayor Brandt Rydell stopped by the shop, located at 204 N. Main St., to make some purchases in advance of the holidays and to visit with its new owners about the city’s commitment to make Taylor even more bike friendly, including plans to add bike lanes on Mallard Lane between the Loop and Main Street.
Rydell said the store is a good fit Taylor, and for the future of the city.
“Taylor is already the most bikeable city in Williamson County and, understanding the importance of bikeability for public health and quality of life, the City Council is committed to further enhancing Taylor’s cycling infrastructure,” he said.
In addition, Rydell said he was impressed with the selection at the Taylor Bike Co.
The store offers a range of bike accessories as well as cycles from Giant, Live, Momentum, Surly, Fairdale and Breezer for all abilities and budgets.
“Most bicycles will and do start roughly in the $500 to $600 range, and E-bikes in the $1,500 plus (range),” said Eddie Chavez, one of the three owners of the store. “We are also slowly working towards having a limited preowned supply of bikes, which will offer much more affordable options for people to find true love in cycling.”
Chavez said the shop also specializes in repairs, with over 40 years of cumulative experience between himself and co-owner John Chisholm, who also owns Clowndog Bikes in Austin. Services include deluxe tune-ups to a-la-carte fixes—from handlebar installations to brake adjustments.
Chisholm said it made sense for him to expand into Taylor due to the lack of other options for cyclists in town and the bright outlook for growth in the area.
“I want to help with smiles, adventures and healthy mobility,” Chisholm said.
Despite only being open a few weeks, people in the community have wasted no time taking advantage of the services, including even repairs at local residences.
“We are doing a house call for a lady,” Chavez said. “The chain on her son’s bike broke. He is a greeter at Walmart.”
The potential for more people like him commuting by bicycle in Taylor was a key reason Chavez and his wife Shannon decided to partner with Chisholm on this venture, the couple said.
Shannon Chavez said she was drawn to the city’s bikeable infrastructure and small-town vibe.
“When I saw this place and saw the small businesses, it seemed like the land of opportunity,” she said. “The reason I wanted to move here was because I could ride my bike everywhere.”
Though the duo lives in Manor, they hope to move to Taylor soon.
“In Manor, you can’t really ride your bicycle anywhere,” Shannon Chavez said.
Nonetheless, Rydell said he is glad they are here.
“The Taylor Bike Company is not only a welcome addition to our increasingly vibrant downtown but also promises to be a key driver in promoting and supporting Taylor’s growing cycling culture,” he said.
