Reid Retailer of the Month: Motorless Motion Bicycles

This month, we had the pleasure of interviewing with Motorless Motion Bicycles, a renowned retailer based in Madison, Wisconsin. While they’re new to stocking Reid, their impressive 10+ years of experience in the cycling industry speaks volumes about their expertise and passion for bikes.

Read on to discover more about Motorless Motion Bicycles and their exciting journey, including their latest collaboration with Reid!

INTRODUCE YOURSELVES... 

Hello and welcome! We are Motorless Motion Bicycles, proudly serving the Madison, Wisconsin community since 2014. Our selection features a diverse range of bicycles, from commuter bikes to fat bikes to recumbent tricycles—making sure there is something for every rider. We are passionate about helping our customers find the perfect bike, no matter who they are or where they want to go. 

WHERE CAN YOUR STORE BE FOUND? 

Motorless Motion Bicycles is located in the beautiful and historic train depot in downtown Madison. Minutes away from the state capitol, the University of Wisconsin campus, and right along one of the many bike paths in the city, we have a convenient and central location for students, commuters, and fitness riders alike. The train depot is also home to a taco & coffee shop, a restaurant, and a quaint bar, making it a destination spot for many. 

WHAT DOES CYCLING MEAN TO YOU? 

To me, cycling simply means freedom. Something about being on a bike, with the opportunity to go far and be self reliant gives me a sense of empowerment that I have not felt with anything else. You can use a bike to go to the grocery store, to a friend’s house, or heck, you can even bike hundreds of miles to the land far away! The opportunities are endless! Also, cycling means fun. Nothing puts a smile on your face like feeling the wind in your face going down a hill, riding alongside friends, or popping a wheelie. 

HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY? 

Community is paramount to us here at Motorless Motion. Without community, we would simply be a name. We are beyond grateful for the local cycling community and feel so lucky to be a part of it. During the warmer months, we host a weekly Wednesday night group ride. These group rides leave from the shop after closing each Wednesday to embark on a casual, party-pace ride around the city on a variety of bike paths and neighborhood roads. This ride is meant to be an inclusive experience for all types of riders, no matter what bike you have or how fast you can go. We listen to music, wear glitter, explore Madison, and have tons of fun, all while on a bike! After each ride, we end up back at Motorless Motion and have tacos and margaritas at the adjoining taco shop and connect as cyclists and friends. The community response to this ride has been amazing, drawing around 20-40 people each week. Additionally, we hold educational classes for women/trans/non-binary folks to teach them how to work on their bikes in an inclusive and welcoming environment.  

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORE STORIES YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?

As mentioned, Motorless Motion is located in the historic Madison Train Depot. The famous Charles Sumner Frost was the head architect of this project back when it was built in the 20th century. Frost's neo-classical brick design was erected in 1903 with a main depot and luggage building. Over the years, a number of carriers served the area including Chicago, Milwaukee, and the St. Paul railway lines. Significant improvements to the facility came in 1929 when the original wood floors were replaced with the terrazzo flooring (material consisting of marble or granite set in concrete and polished) that can still be found at our shop today. When you step into the shop, you feel as if you are stepping back in time, with all the original brick, floors, molding, and even the original train cars! 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A REID RETAILER? 

We have been a Reid retailer for only a couple months, but we are very excited about the future of Reid in the shop.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST SELLING REID PRODUCT? 

The Reid Transit Pro has been our best selling product. As I mentioned, we are conveniently located along the bike path, which means we serve many commuters that benefit from the Transit Pro’s relaxed geometry, wide-range gearing, and comfortable tires.   

HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH REID BEEN? 

It has been so fun to get new Reid bikes in the shop! I am especially excited about Reid’s fat bikes. Fat biking is a popular pastime here in the cold and snowy months and Reid offers a great fat bike at an affordable price allowing more people to experience the joy of biking in the snow!

FINALLY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING GETTING INTO BIKE RIDING, OR PERHAPS HAVE NEVER TRIED IT BEFORE? 

Get a group of friends together, bike to a coffee shop, have a laugh over a latte, and make some memories. Remember that there is no right way to be a cyclist. Simply get on a bike and do what feels right for you! Whether that is wearing lycra and going fast, or wearing jorts and casually riding to the bar, you belong on a bike! Happy pedaling.

 

Thank you for getting to know Motorless Motion Bicycles with us! Their dedication to community and love for cycling are evident in everything they do. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, they prove that cycling is all about freedom, fun, and connection. If you're ever in Madison, Wisconsin, be sure to visit their shop!

 

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