Johnstown bicyclists find what they need in a place called Hope

Jarrod Bunk in Hope Cyclery, the bike shop that he created in Johnstown.

When he opened Hope Cyclery in 2019, Jarrod Bunk filled a much-needed niche in the Johnstown area, which had been bereft of bike shops since 1976. Bunk’s intent is to do more than share his love for biking: He wants to give back to the community that he has grown to love.

Bunk said that bicycles have been his saving grace since he was a kid. “I’ve never been one to fit in really well and riding my bike into the forest kept me sane. If it weren’t for bicycles at that time, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he said, adding that undiagnosed ADHD likely contributed to some of his issues in school. “While riding my bike, I was able to concentrate on that which was in front of me and it also gave me a sense of freedom, while helping me to forget what I now know was childhood depression,” he said.

Bunk said that Startup Alleghenies Coach Blake Fleegle was extremely supportive in getting things off the ground by helping him and David Lane, who joined him in 2020, with a business plan.

Riding my bike into the forest kept me sane. If it weren’t for bicycles at that time, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

“Fleegle put us on the right path for drawing up a market analysis, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and other projections of that nature. That helped a lot,” Bunk said, adding that he was thinking of leaving the area before starting the shop, but stuck around instead.

Fleegle said he is glad that Bunk stayed because his contributions have made a big difference in the Johnstown region. “Bunk has helped customers not only by pairing them up with rides that are just right for them but also reaching out to help those in need,” Fleegle said.

Bunk said the area’s outdoor recreation opportunities were another factor in his decision to stay. “The biking trails around here are excellent and the incline trail project is one-of-a-kind not only in this country, but in the world. There’s nowhere you can go and take an inclined plane and ride down the trails back into the city,” he said.

The bike business

Bunk described the bike business as a welcoming place for everyone, no matter their age, size, race or gender expression. “Some people focus on the physical fitness aspect of biking, but I prefer to view bikes as so much more than that because if you think about it, bikes are magic. Whether you’re a kid, or you’re 80, for some reason, you remember how to ride a bike,” he said.

The bike business is Bunk’s passion, but it hasn’t always been easy. “In January of 2021, we took a building that was virtually inhabitable and did extensive renovations,” he said. They planned on staying at the property on Franklin Street for five years but instead were informed by the landlord that the space was needed and that they’d have to relocate.

If you think about it, bikes are magic. Whether you’re a kid, or you’re 80, for some reason, you remember how to ride a bike

Today, customers can find Hope Cyclery at 647 Railroad Street in a larger building that Lane and Bunk have made their own with another round of extensive renovations.

They share a commitment to the oft-neglected art of personal service that customers won’t get in big box stores. “We are willing to walk them through all the different types of bikes and then we build them from the ground up,” he said.

Retail with a purpose

Bunk calls his business model ‘retail with a purpose.’ He and Lane have worked with various partners to help others over the years, such as CareerLink. “High school dropouts have worked in the bike shop as they prepared for their GEDs and one recently came back and said that we changed his life,” said Bunk. Another way that Hope Cyclery gives back is through a bike-for-work program that offers bikes to adults for transportation to gain re-entry into the workforce.

“We also hold an annual bike drive,” Bunk added. “Last year we donated over 300 bikes to those in need. People drop them off and some are in good condition and others we fix up.”

Jarrod Bunk has helped customers not only by pairing them up with rides that are just right for them but also reaching out to help those in need.

Every fall, Hope Cyclery celebrates “Cranksgiving” when a dozen or so bicyclists take to the streets to collect food for charity. “Last year we ended up collecting 726 pounds of food,” said Bunk. Finally, there’s the “Higher Ground Giveback,” a 100-mile bike race to benefit the local YWCA. “Last year we had 146 participants from 16 states and we were able to give them $1,750,” Bunk said.

Bunk said that he has been happy to pursue his passion while giving back to the community that has also served him well. As for future plans, he wants to continue to provide top-notch customer service and grow the giveback programs he started so that he can continue to feel at peace in a place called HOPE.

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.