Reid Retailer of the Month: Budget Bicycle Center

 My name is Lane and I'm the Assistant Manager of Budget Bicycle Center's New Bike Showroom in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin. This shop has been open since 1979. We are a full service shop: new bicycle sales, repairs, and used bicycle sales.

We occupy three buildings on Regent street, and each does a little something different: New bikes are located at 1230 Regent St., our Service and Parts Center can be found at 1124 Regent St., and our Used Bike Showroom/Museum is at 930 Regent St.

I started cycling as a means to work off the winter weight and spend less on gas. I've never been an athletic person, never played sports, but hitting my first 30 mile ride in my first year of cycling awakened something in me. 7 years later, and I commute all year round, have completed a few 100 mile rides, and am planning a tour to Chicago and back for my next big ride. Cycling to me is potential; potential for fun, for change, for new friends, potential for healthier choices. I also quit smoking in 2023 thanks to cycling, so I believe in it as a catalyst for change; personal, environmental, you name it.

We are so proud to offer free bike rentals through The Red Bike Project (https://redbikes.org/), which provides access to bicycles to those who might not be able to afford one. We provide ride support for many cycling events in and around Madison, as well as free tune-ups every year during Bike-Week, and offering free service during "bike rodeos" at local schools and churches. We are also the hosts of Bike-O-Rama, Southern Wisconsin's biggest bike sale (the 2nd weekend of March, every year).

Roger Charly, the shop owner, started selling refurbished used bicycles out of his college apartment, conveniently located across the street from where Budget Bicycle Center now stands. In the 45 years since then, the business has grown to include the three Budget Bicycle Center stores on this street, as well as our sister shops, Machinery Row Cycles (601 Williamson St.) and Motorless Motion Cycles (640 W. Washington Ave.), also located in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Many bike shops will offer some kind of service package with your new bike, not to mention having a place to go for adjustments/advice/support, otherwise, just get a quality helmet, a good lock for your area, and enjoy yourself.