This was a rough one for me. Where to start with the BMX industry? What is “the industry”. Bike companies were hard to come by in the early days as most BMX bikes were built in California. Clothing companies? Nah. The one thing that I could think of that is “industry” that can be traced back to the roots days is the local bike shop. In the early days of BMX in New Jersey, local shops were where all the best, newest goods could be found and where the locals would drool over those hot new parts. With that being the case, the choice then became a bit more clear.
Ed’s Bike Shop has been in Vineland since before BMX racing began. He was the first person to realize the potential of BMX specific goods, going as far as buying up all the BMX parts he could find at a local trade show in the early 70′s. At the first races, Ed was there with his team sponsoring tons of kids to go out and ride. Eventually the political nonsense of BMX would get to him and he would move on from racing but not before making big strides in what sponsorship and local industry support of riders meant in New Jersey.
Where is Ed now? In the same location but instead of racing dominating his shop, freestyle dominates it. He again sponsors large amounts of riders, holds a massive customer appreciation day every year called Ed’s Games and is a massive supporter of the local Vineland BMX scene. This guy KNOWS the BMX bike shop industry and he knows how to survive the swings of the industry. Not many people can be relevant 30+ years ago in a sport and turn around and be relevant today.
Ed has done that.
Ed Abbott: First inductee to the BMXNJ Hall Of Fame for BMX Pioneer
