Dec. 7, 2017 By Christian Murray
A Long Island City bicycle shop is closing next week after being in business 10 years.
L.I.C. Bikes, located at 25-11 Queens Plaza, is shutting down, hurt by Citi Bike and consumers buying online.
Colon Silvestre, the owner, said that many bicyclists used to frequent his store for repairs or lost parts but that business has declined. Furthermore, some residents would rents bicycles.
Many of these people have turned to Citi Bike, electing to pay an annual fee and not having to worry about flat tires, lost parts or warn out brakes.
Silvestre said that when Citi Bike moved into Long Island City in 2015 his business declined but with the expansion into Astoria it has suffered more. Citi Bike opened about 60 stations in Astoria this year adding to the 12 that came to Long Island City in 2015.
Additionally, he said, people are buying their bicycles or bike parts online, which has also put a dent in business.
He said that everything in his store is 50 percent off until he closes. He said most of the bicycles have gone although there are still helmets, tires and other parts left.
