April 2, 2020 - (Vancouver, B.C.) – Entrepreneur and owner of renowned Reckless Bike Stores in Vancouver, Paul Dragan, has become a landmark in the cycling scene out west, and shares what he’s learned in his 30+ year career in the industry with eBikes-International.
Dragan opened his first shop in 1986 and his first e-bike store, Reckless Electric Bicycle Company, in 2014. Recently, the opening of a fourth retail outlet was announced as he and operation’s partner, Tony Sun, unveiled a second e-bike store, Reckless Shipyards, in North Vancouver. Dragan talks about his successes and pitfalls over the years, including how the current COVID-19 crisis is affecting business.
Can you give us a brief history of the genesis of Reckless Bike Stores and your background in the cycling industry?
Paul Dragan: I owned my first business at 14 years old (selling worms to fisherman). I always had a side hustle alongside racing road in Europe for three years in the early 80s. After getting exposed to the “bicycle business”, my first gig was importing Vittoria tires in Canada. After that, I relocated to Vancouver from Nova Scotia in 1984 where I worked at West Point Cycle for a summer before deciding that I could open a store on my own.
What motivated you to open up an e-bike store, Reckless Electric Bike Company, as your third location six years ago ?
PD: I had been “attempting” to sell e-bikes since 2001 with little traction. The quality was not where it is today. By 2012 products had improved enough, but we still struggled at sales as the category was still relatively new and none of the shop workers believed in it. So we decided to open a stand-alone e-bike store so that anybody who worked there would realize that e-bikes were a real business. We also moved the technical information and product knowledge to a single location.
Talk about the initial challenges and successes since you launched your first e-bike store?
PD: Finding qualified mechanics who were not afraid of e-bikes was a hurdle to get over along with people who could sell the “category”. This remains one of our biggest challenges even as e-bikes are gaining more acceptance and visibility here and elsewhere.
What types of e-bikes do you focus on and are there any that are particularly popular in Vancouver?
PD: Our focus is the recreational and commuter market… not much “jump off the cliff” products.
What about the Vancouver e-bike scene… tell us your impressions and about the changes?
PD: E-bikes are a “personal transportation solution” that ticks all the boxes for the user. It is increasingly expensive and difficult to drive in the city, and with cycling infrastructure improving yearly e-bikes solve many issues facing people. They eliminate range anxiety associated with a regular bike rider, especially as they age.
You recently added Reckless Shipyards as your second e-bike store… how did that come about and how is it going ?
PD: We have been watching the North Shore “Lower Lonsdale” area for over five years, waiting for bicycle infrastructure and the neighborhood hood build-out to arrive. We see it as a “Granville Island meets Yaletown” dynamic – high density, lots of public realm, good cycling connections.
Are you involved in any community events or outreach programs…?
PD: We are the preferred partner for Project 529 outreach promotions, Cops for Cancer, “Tour de Coast” official service team (we have a converted Ambulance to a full service truck), Ride don’t Hide, Ride to Conquer Cancer, etc. We do one or two off-site events per month in season. We’re also supporters of HUB Cycling and the BC Cycling Collation.
What’s your vision over the next 3-5 years i.e. any specific goals and/or further expansion plans ?
PD: E-bike-focused stores are the way to go. Expansion depends on finding managing partners who believes in and can “drink the Kool-Aid” of the Reckless culture. This usually requires working within our existing stores for two to three seasons to be totally on board with our way of business, customer culture, and the “Reckless Way” of running a business.
Please tell us how the current crisis is affecting business we hear cycling will come back even stronger when the Coronavirus situation stabilizes ?
PD: Business is off by 30-40%. Repairs are strong, low-end bike sales dominate, the rental business has evaporated. We find that e-bike sales are being delayed until consumers are more sure of their income.
Anything you’d like to add ?
PD: Bicycles changed my life at 14 years old… they can change yours too!
For more information visit here.
In June 2014 Paul Dragan survived being shot by an ex-employee outside Starbucks on Davie St. in Yaletown, directly across from his Reckless Bike Store. The community rallied behind him and he was soon back doing what he loves – read more here.
