PUBLIC Bikes: Freedom on Two Wheels, Designed for Real Life
Imagine stepping out your door, grabbing a bike, and gliding through your neighborhood—no traffic jams, no parking stress, just the wind in your hair and the rhythm of the city around you. This isn’t a vacation fantasy; it’s the everyday reality PUBLIC Bikes wants to bring to every American street. For too long, urban biking has been boxed into a “hobby” or a “sport,” reserved for those with specialized gear and endless free time. But at PUBLIC, we know better: biking is for the parent rushing to drop kids at school, the professional heading to a meeting, the retiree exploring a new trail, and everyone in between. It’s not just transportation—it’s a way to take back your time, your space, and your joy. And we’ve built every bike with that simple, powerful truth in mind.
Our Roots: From Amsterdam’s Streets to Your Front Porch
Great ideas often come from seeing what’s possible—and then asking, “Why not here?” For PUBLIC’s founder, Rob Forbes, that question sparked during a trip to Amsterdam. It wasn’t the canals or museums that stuck with him; it was the way bikes wove through daily life like a thread. A teenager in jeans pedaling to class, a couple with a dog in a basket, a business owner in a blazer stopping for a newspaper—bikes weren’t just tools, they were extensions of people’s lives. No spandex, no clip-in shoes, no complicated gadgets—just two wheels, a seat, and the freedom to move. Rob left Amsterdam with a clear mission: to bring that “biking for everyone” spirit to the U.S., where cars had long dominated the conversation.
PUBLIC Bikes was born from that mission. We rejected the idea that biking had to be exclusive or intimidating. Instead, we set out to build bikes that fit into your life, not the other way around. A bike that looks as good with a dress as it does with jeans. A bike that’s sturdy enough for grocery runs but light enough for a quick commute. A bike that feels familiar, even if you haven’t ridden since childhood. We named ourselves PUBLIC because biking isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a public good. It makes streets safer, air cleaner, and communities closer. When you ride a PUBLIC bike, you’re not just buying a product—you’re joining a movement to make our cities work for people, not just cars.
Beyond Transportation: Biking as a Way of Life
We live in a world of endless to-do lists: work deadlines, grocery runs, doctor’s appointments, school drop-offs. It’s easy to let the “getting there” become a chore—something to check off before the real day begins. But what if the “getting there” was the best part? At PUBLIC, we’re reimagining mobility as a moment of joy, not a hassle. Our vision is a world where riding a bike is as natural as grabbing a cup of coffee—something you look forward to, not dread.
Think about the impact of that shift. Instead of sitting in traffic, fuming at red lights, you’re waving at a neighbor watering their lawn. Instead of circling a parking lot for 20 minutes, you’re locking your bike outside the café and stepping in for a latte. Instead of breathing in exhaust, you’re feeling the sun on your face. Biking doesn’t just get you from point A to point B—it connects you to your surroundings, your community, and yourself. That’s the magic of what we call “intentional mobility.” It’s not about being “green” or “fit” (though those are great side effects); it’s about living in the moment, one pedal stroke at a time. And when more people embrace this way of moving, our cities become places where people thrive, not just rush.
Design That Puts You First
Design isn’t about making something look pretty—it’s about making something work. At PUBLIC, every bike we build starts with a question: “Will this make someone’s life easier?” We don’t design for hypothetical “cyclists”; we design for real people with real lives. Our team of designers and engineers aren’t just experts—they’re bike riders, too. They commute to work on PUBLIC bikes, run errands on them, and take their kids to the park on them. That means every detail is tested, tweaked, and perfected with real-world use in mind.
Our bikes are crafted for the moments that matter:
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The Busy Parent: You need a bike that can carry a diaper bag, a backpack, and maybe a kid in a seat. Our step-through frames make it easy to hop on and off (even in a skirt), and our sturdy racks can hold everything from groceries to sports equipment. No more juggling bags and struggling with a heavy bike—we’ve got you covered.
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The Remote Worker: You want to break up your day with a quick ride, but don’t have time for complicated gear. Our bikes are low-maintenance, easy to store, and stylish enough to make you feel put-together, even if you’re working in sweatpants. A 20-minute ride around the block? The perfect way to reset and recharge.
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The Reconnecting Rider: You haven’t ridden a bike in 20 years, and the thought of it makes you nervous. Our bikes have comfortable seats, easy-to-use gears, and intuitive controls—no confusing shifters or tight handlebars. We’ve designed them to feel like an old friend, so you can recapture that childhood joy without the anxiety.
We offer a range of models to fit every need: classic city bikes for everyday use, hybrid bikes for off-road adventures, and sleek road bikes for longer rides. But no matter which model you choose, you’ll get the same PUBLIC promise: high quality, durability, and simplicity. We use lightweight aluminum frames that are strong but easy to handle, rust-resistant components that stand up to rain and snow, and gears that shift smoothly (even if you haven’t used them in years). And because we believe in transparency, we never cut corners—every bike is built to last, so you can ride with confidence for years to come.
Ready to Ride: The End of Bike Assembly Frustration
We’ve all been there: you order something online, excited to use it, and then open the box to find a mountain of parts and a manual that might as well be in code. For bikes, this frustration is even worse—because a poorly assembled bike isn’t just annoying, it’s dangerous. At PUBLIC, we decided to eliminate that pain point entirely. We believe that buying a bike online should be as easy as buying a book. That’s why we created our game-changing “Ready to Ride” shipping program.
Here’s the difference: every PUBLIC bike is assembled, adjusted, and tested by our team of expert mechanics in California. These aren’t just guys with wrenches—they’re certified bike technicians who live and breathe bikes. They check the brakes to make sure they’re responsive, adjust the gears to shift seamlessly, and tighten every bolt to the exact specification. Once your bike is perfect, they pack it in a custom-built box with industrial-strength foam padding to protect it during shipping. When it arrives at your door, it’s 99% assembled. No more sorting through parts, no more guessing which bolt goes where—just a few quick steps, and you’re ready to ride.
3 Steps, 15 Minutes, Endless Joy
We’ve simplified the final assembly to three steps, and we include everything you need in the box: a wrench, a screwdriver, clear pictorial instructions, and even a touch-up paint pen (for those tiny scratches that happen during shipping). Here’s how quick it is:
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Attach the pedals: They’re pre-threaded, so you just turn them clockwise until they’re tight. It takes 60 seconds, tops.
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Secure the handlebars: Align them to your liking, tighten the clamp, and you’re done. We’ve already run all the brake and gear cables, so no wiring required.
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Adjust the seat: Raise or lower it to your height (we include a guide to help you find the perfect fit), and you’re ready to hit the road.
We’ve tested this process with people of all skill levels: a 16-year-old who’s never assembled anything, a 70-year-old who’s handy but hates complicated instructions, and a busy mom who did it while her toddler napped. The result? Everyone was riding within 15 minutes, with a big smile on their face. In fact, most people say the hardest part is removing all the foam padding from the box!
Safety First, Always
We don’t offer “Ready to Ride” shipping just for convenience—we offer it for safety. Bikes have hundreds of parts, and a single loose bolt or misaligned brake can lead to a serious accident. When you buy a bike from a big-box store or a generic online retailer, you’re trusting your safety to a factory worker who may not have the expertise to assemble it correctly. At PUBLIC, your safety is our top priority. Our mechanics undergo rigorous training, and every bike goes through a 12-point inspection before it leaves our facility. When you ride a PUBLIC bike, you’re not just riding a well-designed product—you’re riding a bike that’s been built to keep you safe.
Real Stories from Real Riders
Numbers and features tell part of the story, but real people tell the rest. Here are just a few of the ways PUBLIC Bikes has changed the lives of our customers:
“I’m a single mom with two kids, and I was tired of spending half my day in the car. I bought a PUBLIC bike with a kid seat, and it’s been a game-changer. We ride to school, to the library, and to the farmers market. No more sitting in carpool lines—we get there faster, and the kids have a blast. The Ready to Ride assembly was so easy I did it while they watched cartoons. Thank you for making my life easier (and more fun)!”— SARAH K.
“I’m 62, and I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was 12. My doctor told me I needed to exercise more, but I hate the gym. A friend recommended PUBLIC, and I was skeptical—but I took the plunge. The bike arrived 99% assembled, and I had it ready to go in 10 minutes. Now I ride every morning for 30 minutes, and I feel better than I have in years. The seat is comfortable, the gears are easy to use, and I get so many compliments on how it looks. I even joined a local bike group! Who knew a bike could change so much?”— TOM R.
“As a college student, I can’t afford a car—or the parking fees. I bought a PUBLIC bike last semester, and it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made. I ride to class, to my part-time job, and to see friends. The bike is lightweight, so I can carry it up the stairs to my dorm, and the Ready to Ride shipping meant I didn’t have to beg a friend to help me assemble it. It’s durable, too—I’ve ridden it through rain and snow, and it still looks like new. PUBLIC didn’t just sell me a bike; they sold me freedom.”— EMMA L.
“I selected the pre-assembled option and I’m glad I did. The bikes came virtually ready to go. The two pedals had to be screwed in the cranks…the handlebars installed. All wiring was run ahead of time and the installations took 5 minutes, tops. Great bikes, great packaging, great experience.”— JASON B.
We’re Here to Help, Every Step of the Way
We know that buying a bike is a big decision, and we want you to feel confident every step of the way. That’s why we offer more than just great bikes—we offer great support. Our customer service team is available 7 days a week, ready to answer your questions, help you choose the right model, or walk you through the assembly process (even if it’s 8 PM on a Sunday).
We also create detailed resources to make your experience as smooth as possible, including our “Ready to Ride” assembly videos. These step-by-step guides are tailored to your bike model, so you can see exactly how to finish assembling your bike. Whether you have a non-disc brake model or a high-performance R18 road bike, we’ve got a video that’s perfect for you. And if you ever need a refresher, you can watch it as many times as you want—for free.
Assembly Videos for Every Model
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Non-Disc Brake Models: This video covers our classic city bikes, step-through models, and hybrids. It includes close-up shots of each tool, detailed instructions for attaching pedals and handlebars, and tips for adjusting the seat to your perfect height.
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Disc Brake & R18 Road Bike Models: Disc brakes and road bikes have unique features, so we created a dedicated video to cover them. Our mechanics explain how to handle hydraulic brakes safely, adjust the gears for smooth shifting, and ensure your bike is road-ready.
Important Note: If your bike arrives in a factory box (not our Ready to Ride packaging), we strongly recommend having it assembled by a professional bike shop. This ensures that every component is installed correctly and safely.
Join the PUBLIC Community
When you buy a PUBLIC bike, you’re not just buying a product—you’re joining a community of tens of thousands of riders who believe in the power of two wheels. Our community hosts monthly group rides, shares tips and tricks on our online forum, and even organizes local clean-up events to keep our streets and trails beautiful. It’s a place where new riders can ask questions, experienced riders can share stories, and everyone can connect over a shared love of biking.
We also stand behind our bikes with a comprehensive warranty (up to 5 years on frames, depending on the model) and a 30-day test ride guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your bike, you can return it for a full refund—no questions asked. We’re that confident you’ll love riding a PUBLIC bike as much as we do.
Life is too short to spend it sitting in traffic, rushing through your day, or feeling disconnected from your community. A PUBLIC bike is more than a way to get around—it’s a way to slow down, enjoy the moment, and live a little more intentionally. Whether you’re 16 or 60, a busy parent or a retiree, a daily commuter or a weekend explorer, there’s a PUBLIC bike waiting for you.
Start Your Journey Today
Visit our website to browse our full collection of bikes, read more customer stories, and find the perfect model for your life. We offer free shipping on all orders over $500, easy financing options, and a team of bike experts ready to help you every step of the way. Don’t wait for “someday” to start riding—your next adventure is just a click (and a pedal stroke) away.
Because at PUBLIC, we don’t just build bikes—we build freedom.
