Enjoy this Q&A with Upshift Cycles, part of an ongoing series highlighting Lease a Bike’s bike shop partners.
Lease a Bike helps these shops expand their customer base through our workplace leasing program. In return, our partner network gives employers and employees a trusted place to lease and maintain the bike of their dreams.

Q&A with Upshift Cycles’ owner Stephanie Slocum on trends in her local bike market

Tech capital San Jose, California, is experiencing an e-bike revolution. Lease a Bike chatted with Stephanie Slocum, owner of local shop Upshift Cycles, to learn more about how city commuters are looking for easier and greener ways than choked freeways to get to work. The local e-bike industry is growing by “leaps and bounds,” says Slocum. Partnering with Lease a Bike’s employer leasing program was a natural option for her shop, which serves tech workers who want a high-end e-bike, but who may plan on leaving the city after a few years and don’t want to buy something outright.

Partnering with Lease a Bike’s employer leasing program was a natural option for her shop

How are you hoping the Lease a Bike program can help you build your customer base?

We have many commuter cyclists and many of them use e-bikes. We also serve a great number of recreational cyclists. They’re generally people who have more than one bike and their other bike may be an e-bike. So leasing sounds like a great plan because it makes it easier for people to ride an expensive e-bike and not worry about it losing value.
What’s your sales pitch to people who don’t bike already, but are thinking of ditching their car?
It’s so much cheaper than a car and you interact with the world in a different way. The wind is in your hair, you can stop and talk to a person and it isn’t weird. And you’re just having more fun. It’s so much more exciting. Try it, you’ll love it.

Leasing makes it easier for people to ride an expensive e-bike and not worry about it losing value.

How’s business right now? How are you generating revenue?

I knew the [strong] revenue numbers coming out of Covid weren’t sustainable. But I wasn’t prepared for the supply chain problems. Inventory didn’t come in for a year, and then it came in all at once. We’ve been selling supplies at a discount. But we’re starting to see more customers come in.

Our service business supports us during the winter. That could mean a lot of upside from partnering with Lease a Bike because leasing doesn’t take a sale from us, it keeps us in the customer’s mind.

The wind is in your hair, you can stop and talk to people — it’s so much more exciting than driving.

What are some other upsides of leasing?

Leasing a bike is another great way to get a bike with quality components and a warranty. Direct-to-consumer brands often don’t sell UL-certified (safety and compliance standard) batteries, nor do they often provide warranties. The benefit of a program like Lease a Bike is that the customer gets the flexibility of a lease and also bike shop quality.

What inspired you to own a bike shop?

I’ve always loved bikes. During the 2008 recession, when I couldn’t find work, some friends dragged me out for a bike ride, and I really got into it. Rob, the former owner of our shop, gave me my first job in this industry. I discovered that I really love getting people onto a new bike. That moment when people get their new bike is so exciting, especially if it’s a kid.

Where do you see your local market heading?

I think Americans see bikes as children’s toys, but e-bikes are the future. They allow people to commute locally or easily ride to public transit. I’d like to see bikes and public transit take the forefront in San Jose. We could put in a light rail to Cupertino or Apple that would allow people to commute and take their bikes, making our streets quieter with less pollution.

E-bikes are the future — they allow people to commute easily and leave the car behind.

What bike would you recommend to someone new to biking or leasing a bike?

The Specialized Haul ST is a cargo bike we carry that starts at $2,800. I have panniers and baskets in the front, and then I put my kid on the back. A fully kitted cargo bike would need an extra $800 to $1,500 for two kids' seats and accessories. A leasing payment plan is a great option for customers, especially for families and people who would use it the most.

People light up when they see their new bike. That moment is what I love most.

About Lease a Bike

Lease a Bike began with a passion for cycling and a greener planet. Our commitment to sustainable transportation and healthy living has fueled our global expansion, building cycling communities across companies and continents. As a leader in bike leasing, we empower individuals and businesses to embrace eco-friendly choices daily. Join us as we pedal towards a brighter, greener future.

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