The Pigeons Have Landed

Highland Park’s newest bike shop is not really a bike shop. Instead, its an outlet. In fact, its a dealership, a sole West Coast proprietor of the world’s most popular bicycle: The Flying Pigeon.

Flying Pigeon LA, as the store is called, is a member of the cult. That cult being the Cult of The Bicycle. Like many bicycle orginzations (formal and informal) around Los Angeles, Flying Pigeon LA’s underlying mission is to do what some have said is impossible: Getting Angelenos out of their cars! Organizations from LA County Bike Coalition to C.I.C.L.E. to Midnight Ridazz, have seen the light, and continue to work toward a Los Angeles where bikes are more than toys for kids, or something to be used only at the beach on weekends. Instead, organizations (Or disorganizations as in the case of the Ridazz) and businesses like FPLA are creating opportunities for people to live, and enjoy their city without having to use the car.

What FPLA is doing is selling a sturdy, utilitarian bike that can be used effectively on the street to do local errands, like going to the drugstore, cloths shopping, grocery shopping, riding to a local cafe, or the library, or just tooling around town. It’s not designed, intended to be raced, or go moutain biking with, that’s not the point. It is a city bike for urbanites such as myself. All facilitated by the purchasing of this noble machine for only $299.88

The Three Hundred Dollars gets you the steel frame bike, a basket, bell, dynamo-powered head light, enclosed chain (a must if you ride this to work), fenders (protects against rain, mud, shrapnel) a rear carrying rack (easily holds several extra large pizzas from Folliero’s), and an integrated rear wheel bike lock.

The bike is highly functional for travelling on the streets. Large 28 inch wheels with slick tread for an efficient ride. (I always shake my head when I see people using ridiculous mountain bikes with unnecessary suspension and knobby tires to commute to work with.) The ride is very comfortable, and even the antiquated looking breaks do a great job at stopping this iron giant. The bike is comes in only one size, so when riding it can seem like you are standing up even when you are seated. My only complaint really, was with the peddles that come with the bike, they seem quite flimsy. Luckily, the guys decided to buy some stronger pedals and replace them before sending the bikes out the door.

The brothers are super helpful, and really want their customers to enjoy their Flying Pigeon bikes. For the past five weeks, they have hosted what they are calling Git Some Dim Sum, a group ride from the store on Sunday mornings to Chinatown for Dim Sum at Empress Pavilion. The ride takes off by 11AM, and best of all they offer loaner FP’s to have that authentic Chinese experience.

So stop in for some tea, try out a bike, or better yet buy one! Be sure to stop by on Friday, September 19th, for Park(ing) Day, and see what clever park installation they create outside their store.

Flying Pigeon LA
5711 N. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
213-909-8986
info@flyingpigeon-la.com

Open 2-9 some days, 10-6 sundays, and whenever you see the bikes out other days.