This March, we’re excited to introduce a bike shop that’s all about community and making cycling for everyone - Tambay Cycling Hub! Based in Kapitolyo, Philippines Tambay is more than just a bike shop. Started by Kevin Skinker, it’s a friendly, full-service shop focused on cycling as everyday transport but they welcome all kinds of riders.
Keep reading to learn more about Tambay’s story, their amazing team, and why they’ve become such an important part of the local cycling scene.
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES...
Hello, I'm Kevin Skinker, Founder of Tambay Cycling Hub. We opened in 2022 and we're a full service bike shop geared towards cycling as transport, though we offer retail and services for all types of bikes.
WHERE CAN YOUR STORE BE FOUND?
We recently moved to Kapitolyo, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines - just 1km down away from our original home shop in Pineda, Pasig. That 1km is a big difference in commercial accessibility and socioeconomic status though. We're still super close to the Pasig River though - and hopefully not the Pasig River Expressway that a local mega corporation is planning to build running above the entirety of the river #NoToPAREX
WHAT DOES CYCLING MEAN TO YOU?
Cycling means freedom. Originally, survival and financial freedom since biking as transport was the only way I could afford to even attempt to pay back US student loans in Philippine pesos. Now it means freedom from motor vehicle induced gridlock and time wasted in traffic inhaling exhaust; a great and fun workout; and the ability to either go with the flow or string together trip chaining errands into one super efficient ride.
HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY?
Community starts with our name. We try to be accessible to everyone - down to earth and not intimidating. Tambay means "to hang out," and our tagline is "Tambike Tayo" or "let's hang out and bike together." We think making Tambay is great, even though ex-President Duterte and many others colloquially use with negative connotations. Tambay, or eyes on the street, actually make streets safer when they act as witnesses against crimes, and when Metro Manila has very few parks, where should people hang out but the street?
Our first ever community ride was a night ride in tandem with Lumos helmets and featured stops across some of the few public parks open in the evenings in Metro Manila. It was a way to highlight the need of more parks in the city. Recently it's mostly been supporting other ride leaders like our Community Manager, Aneka Crisostomo and her Solar Commuter Club, and others, as they lead monthly rides featuring Car-Free streets in Metro Manila. Aneka and her family have also conducted countless free bike lessons throughout the city via their organization, Bicycle Friendly Philippines.
On the performance side, Eugene Canelas, our Head Technician, joins races with friends under the moniker of his home bike shop, BikeWrench Racing. Rey, our other Mechanic, joined his first race last year alongside Eugene and was hired because of his work as a Volunteer Firefighter in our community.
With our new space in Kapitolyo it will be much easier to welcome the community. On Saturday, March 15, our grand opening has plans for a live community mural saying "Ang Kalsada ay Para Sa Tao" (Streets are for People); F&B pop-ups, product vendors, on-the-spot custom decal printing; live music; and more. We're yet to bring over our Community Parts Bin of donated pre-loved parts from our old location, but we will soon. The parts are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, even free installation for those in need.
Overall we try to support organizations like the Make It Safer Movement and the Move As One Coalition who are doing great work in transport policy in the Philippines. Our Bike Messenger, Lyle Marc Bilway, just graduated from Move As One's Young Mobility Leadership Program and we're super proud of him for somehow balancing that, school, helping us with the shop, and more.
DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORE STORIES YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?
In 2023 we partnered with SOS Children's Villages and Allianz to train aspiring bike mechanics and shop managers. 9 applicants from SOS communities across the Philippines joined us for a week of training where we taught them everything from building a wheel to visual merchandising. Now they've gone on to start their own shops in their hometowns! We hope to visit them on a future team bike tour.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A REID RETAILER?
3+ years now. We've worked with Reid since before we even opened our first brick & mortar store in 2022.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST SELLING REID PRODUCT?
Reid Ladies Classic. Jeza Rodriguez, a Consulting Mechanic and Community Organizer who works with us, got one for her mom and they post great content of them using it in the city (Metro Manila) and at the beach in Bicol.
We're a huge fan of step-thru frames for everyone. I'm a former pro footballer (soccer player) and the ease of step-thru frames are great whether you're exhausted from training, carrying precious cargo, or simply aren't as flexible as you used to be.
Rey, our first ever Mechanic, converted his Reid Rapid Transit to a drop bar bike and even rode when our team went on our #TambikeTour together to Surf Town, La Union, 330km away from our shop in Manila. He loves it so much he rides it to work even though he only lives 4 blocks away.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH REID BEEN?
The local distributors are amazing. They were super understanding of new shops during the COVID bike shortage, and were willing to take a leap with lower Minimum Orders to help shops with less resources to start with. When our first ever Reid customer was rear ended by a car and needed a wheel replaced, they made it happen almost instantly. Even the influencers they've chosen to partner with have been amazing, especially Eloiza Regaliza, one of the more vocal local bike vloggers when it comes to advocating for safer streets for women and for cyclists. We're dreaming of carrying the Reid KADe eCargo bike in the future!
FINALLY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING GETTING INTO BIKE RIDING, OR PERHAPS HAVE NEVER TRIED IT BEFORE?
Ask your local government to make streets safer for cycling and for humans in general. There's safety in numbers while biking, and the biggest hindrance to getting started is feeling safe on roads that prioritize fast cars over human connection. Finding a community to ride with can help too. Once you find a route you're comfortable with, try it with a more experienced friend on a weekend, before moving on to making it a daily habit you can ride on your own!
Tambay Cycling Hub is building more than bikes, they’re building community. With expert service, a welcoming space, and a deep love for cycling as everyday transport, they’re making it easier for people in Metro Manila to ride with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a daily commuter, Tambay is here to support your journey. Check out their shop and stay connected here!