John Crews

John Crews started his love affair with bikes the day his dad brought home a second hand Schwinn in the early 70’s. It was the first in a long line of bikes that would take him from being a typical kid riding his bike around the neighborhood to a BMX pro who traveled the world and appeared on numerous magazine covers, finally settling into making a living in the bike world he loved. 

 

By age twelve, John road that old Schwinn with a bent gooseneck and egg-shaped wheels to the local BMX track. It didn’t matter to him that his bike wasn’t the coolest on the track that day; he entered his first race anyway. Taking fourth in the Police Activities League Championships in Vallejo was devastating because trophies were only awarded to the top three. He cried. But, John’s competitive fire had been lit. He came back the following year and won that race. He went on to become one of the most photographed and

well liked riders on the BMX circuit. He signed his first pro contract at age 15 and, at his pinnacle, reached number ten in the ABA Pro rankings. John rode the circuit until he was 24. In 2006 he was inducted into the American Bicycle Association Hall of Fame. 

 

In December of 1989, at age 26, John opened a bike shop so that he could make a living in the sport that had been so good to him. Bicycles Plus was opened on a shoestring budget with a loan from his parents. Years later, BP has become one of the most successful single store bike shops in the United States. Bicycle Retailer and Industry News has voted BP a Top 100 Dealer numerous times. Bicycles Plus was built on the basic, but often overlooked, premise that you reap what you sow. Its success is not only tied to its owner’s ability to navigate the cycling world with ease and confidence, but by his commitment to give back to the communities he serves. You cannot attend a Girl Scout, Boy Scout, soccer, football, basketball, high school, community or charity function without seeing a donation from Bicycles Plus. A bike, a helmet, free tune ups – John gives to the causes that are important to his customers both graciously and often. He is so well loved in his community that he cannot move about town without being stopped, hugged, thanked and gushed over. He takes it all in stride…just part of the job. 

 

John’s charity causes have always been those of his customers. In October of 2003, that all changed. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 40, John felt the pull to give back to a cause that he himself was now a part of. Parkinson’s disease has no cure and receives very little attention in the media, which translates to very little funding. In 2005, John teamed up with two of his customers to launch Ride for a Reason, a charity bike ride whose sole purpose is to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease and cancer. In its inaugural year, the ride drew 525 riders and raised $69,000. In 2007, Ride for a Reason had 700 riders and raised $75,000 to fight cancer and Parkinson’s disease. It seems only fitting the money raised at the ides was donated back to charities started by two of the biggest names in cycling, Davis Phinney and Lance Armstrong. A portion of the money is also used to sustain a program that was started with seed money from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Triumph Fitness Program.  Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease changed John. He is laser focused on making a difference in the lives of people he knows as well as those that he doesn’t. His love of his daughter Lauren, and son Tyler is unwavering. His bike shop is

involved in many community projects and events as well as in a program that refurbishes bikes for kids. Anyone who believes that the gift of a bike can’t change the world for the better has not met John Crews.

 

It all started with ONE bike.