The Petals & Pedals bicycle shop located at downtown Inlet. Photos by Dave Scranton
Pedals & Petals of Inlet has been named one of America’s Best Bike Shops for 2015 by the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA), according to an announcement made by the organization on Wednesday.
This is the second year in a row that Pedals & Petals has received this Industry-wide honor.
There are approximately 4,000 bike shops in the United States, and fewer than 300 were chosen to be named “America’s Best,” said Karen Townsend of NBDA.
Pedals & Petals is one of only 17 bike shops in New York State—and the only bike shop in the Adirondack Park—to receive this distinction, she said.
The shops were asked to fill out a detailed application describing what sets them apart from the average retailer.
Mystery shoppers then evaluated the business in more detail by visiting the store, reviewing their website, and contacting the shop by phone to assess the performance from a consumer’s perspective.
The program is designed to help consumers find great stores in their areas that will provide the expertise and professionalism they need to get the most benefit from cycling.
The recipients of the America’s Best Bike Shops title not only offer great shopping experiences, but are also rated on their support for their communities, as well as support for bicycle advocacy both locally and nationally.
Pedals and Petals was recognized for its commitment to personalized customer service and knowledgeable staff; and large selection of bikes, accessories and clothing.
It also excelled in technical expertise in its service department; pick-up and delivery service for bike repairs and rentals; and operational excellence with updated computerized sales and inventory systems.
Addtionally, Pedals & Petals stood out for its community involvement, including participation in adult and children’s training and safety clinics, and bicycle advocacy.
Over his 21 years of ownership of Pedals & Petals, owner Ted Christodaro has been a strong advocate of cycling in the West Central Adirondacks.
Pedals & Petals has been a longtime sponsor of the iconic Black Fly Challenge, a 40-mile mountain bike race between the towns of Inlet and Indian Lake.
Christodaro has worked alongside the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) to help improve existing and design new mountain bike trails in the Moose River Plains and surrounding area.
For the past nine years Pedals & Petals has joined in the Trek Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Ride, a fundraiser for breast cancer research that will take place this year on Saturday, October 10th.
“Being named one of the Best Bike Shops in America for the second year running is a tremendous honor for our small shop in the Inlet-Old Forge area. I am genuinely proud of this acknowledgment by the National Bicycle Dealers Association,” Christodaro said.
Pedals & Petals is an authorized dealer for Trek Bicycle and is a unique bike, flower and gift shop open year-round in the Adirondack Mountains in Inlet.
