Bike shop hops on campus

Richmond cycling culture has moved one step
closer to VCU.

Luke Stevens, founder and owner of bike shop Bunny
Hop, has relocated his operation to 918 W. Grace St.,
next to Little Caesar’s Pizza.

Charging $30 an hour for repairs, Stevens said he
owns one of the faster and more reliable bike shops
in Richmond.

Stevens opened Bunny Hop more than a year ago
on West Broad Street after gaining valuable experience
working for Richmond Re-Cycles in Carytown.

The hardly fledgling shop recently has been
generating business by placing advertisements in
RVA Magazine offering a free flat-tire repair. Stevens
also gives discounts to members of the VCU cycling
team.

The workshop area that is visible to those entering
the store enhances Bunny Hop’s intimate feel.

“I think it’s pretty important to have a transparency
to the shop to help establish trust,” Stevens said. “This
is what we do. We’re professional about it.”

Stevens also welcomes people who wish to learn
how to unlock the mysteries of these “beautiful
machines.”

“If people want to watch, it’s totally cool too,” he
said.

Experience is plentiful in the workshop. Stevens
gets help on a regular basis from cyclists who share
his passion and vision.

“I’ve got a couple people that work for me. One is
a bike messenger and one is an amateur BMX rider,”
Stevens said.

When asked which types of bicycles he prefers,
Stevens said he can’t discriminate.

“I’ve got a beach cruiser I use to play bike polo on
and a broken track bike,” he said.

Although a recent burglary at his previous location
left Stevens without his prized bicycles, Stevens’
optimism has helped him through the turmoil.

“One thing I constantly think about is to just keep
having fun. I do a lot of building and amateur racing,”
Stevens said. “It’s pretty easy to lose sight and get jaded
about cycling culture.”

Bunny Hop is open Monday through Saturday from
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.