The 2022 Philly Bike Expo will be held October 29 and 30 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Over its more than a decade of history, the Philly Bike Expo has developed into one of the nation’s largest consumer-facing bike shows. It’s much more than a trade show – it’s a celebration of Philadelphia’s deep bike culture and an ambassador for the city’s bicycle-friendly nature, shared with the more than 100 million people that live within a few hours’ train ride from the city.
Like the city of Philadelphia itself, the Philly Bike Expo embraces both history and tradition, as well as innovation, diversity and forward-thinking advocacy. The show floor features booths from some of the larger bicycle brands and retailers, but in equal measure is shared by smaller, custom bicycle artisans, local shops and events, and a whole section is devoted to non-profits and bicycle advocacy groups. In addition to the diversity of exhibitors on the show floor, there is a full schedule of seminars that encompass the full-spectrum of bike culture, from the history of American bicycles to bikepacking through Europe, bicycle commuting, and racial and gender inclusivity in the bicycle industry. There are also daily curated rides on the weekend of the show that showcase Philadelphia’s network of bike lanes, trails and bicycle infrastructure.
“The Philly Bike Expo is a fertile combination of new and veteran frame builders, a wide range of accessory, clothing, and component manufacturers, materials suppliers, advocacy, and charity exhibitors with a diverse offering of seminars, attended by an enthusiastic crowd from the densely populated, demographically diverse Northeast corridor that can’t be matched,” says Philly Bike Expo director Bina Bilenky.
Returning to the show again for the third year is the SRAM Inclusivity Scholarship which aims to highlight and support people of color, women, trans, and non-binary frame builders who have been historically underrepresented at bike shows and the bicycle industry at large. It’s just one of the many ways that the Philly Bike Expo has actively promoted broadening the circle of bike lovers in Philadelphia and beyond.
More than anything else, the Philly Bike Expo—founded in 2009 by Bina’s father Stephen, a frame builder and bicycle restoration expert who has run Bilenky Cycle Works in North Philadelphia since 1983—is a family affair open to bike lovers of all ages. To that end, there is free admission for children 12 and under (with a paying adult), and there are activities for younger kids, including a test track right inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center that young riders can use to try out the latest and greatest children’s bikes.
And as any true exponent of bicycle culture will do, the Philly Bike Expo encourages the use of bicycles to attend the show. There will be free indoor bicycle parking at the Convention Center, provided by Neighborhood Bike Works and sponsored by Piscitello Law.
Come and join the fellowship of bicycle lovers at what has become an autumn institution in the City of Brotherly Love. More information on tickets, seminar and ride schedules, and hours of operation can be found at www.phillybikeexpo.com.