Deals on two wheels brought squeals of delight as Brooklynites flocked to Washington Park for the city’s only flea market about all things cycling.
Nearly fifty independent vendors set up shop in Park Slope’s Washington Park May 11 to sell new and used bicycles, parts and accessories at the annual Brooklyn Bike Jumble.
“Every year it has gotten bigger and I think it just has to do with cycling getting bigger and bigger,” said Harry Schwartzman, who created the event in 2009. He said the bike-themed market, that doubles as a celebration of bike culture, lured up to a thousand shoppers. “I think more people want to get a bike. The city is friendly to bikes. There’s more bike lanes and it just makes sense.”
All kinds of two-wheelers were on sale, from $75 beater bikes to vintage collector rides of $200 and up, to high-end carbon fiber cycles going for $2,900.
Sometimes you can find a match made in biker heaven.
Windsor Terrace resident Laura Haslett, who has wanted a vintage two-wheeler for years, stumbled upon a forest green Ladies Schwinn four-speed bike made in 1960s on her first visit to the flea market.
“Finding just the right bike is really hard and I think it’s really a perfect fit,” said Haslett, adding that the classic ride was well worth the $250 she paid. “For an old bike, it’s a dream to ride. I got a basket to put on the front. It’s a great bike.”
For avid biker rider Amanda Fleming, the Bike Jumble was a lifesaver. Her land cruiser was poached two weeks ago from the courtyard of her Williamsburg residence.
“I just moved to Brooklyn and my bike got stolen,” said Fleming, who purchased a vintage neon-colored mountain bike. She haggled the price down to $180 from $220. “The color really appealed to me – it rides wonderfully.”
Retailers included local shops like Ride Brooklyn, Bicycle Roots, Dog Day Cyclery and 9th Street Cycles, as well as cyclists who wanted to make a few bucks by selling some of their old bicycle clutter without having to take to Craigslist.
“It’s a place to get cheap bikes,” said Schwartzman, a Carroll Gardens resident and vintage bike lover. “We’re the anti-Craigslist.”
If you missed your chance to get a bargained ride, don’t worry. There’s another Bike Jumble on Sept. 8.
Brooklyn Bike Jumble at Washington Park [Third Street at Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, (718) 768-3195, www.nybikejumble.com]. Sept. 8, 10 am to 4 pm.
Reach reporter Natalie Musumeci at nmusumeci@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4505. Follow her at twitter.com/souleddout.
