PUBLIC Bikes: Turn Everyday Rides into Extraordinary Moments
In the chaos of modern urban life, we’re all chasing something simple: moments that feel real. A laugh with a neighbor, the smell of fresh bread from a corner bakery, the warmth of sunlight on your cheeks. These small, unplanned joys are what make life meaningful—and they’re exactly what you’ll find on a PUBLIC bike. For too long, biking in America has been framed as a chore or a niche hobby, but we’re here to rewrite that story. PUBLIC Bikes isn’t just about getting from A to B; it’s about savoring the space between. It’s for the person who wants to trade gridlock for a breeze, parking tickets for a bike rack, and stress for a smile. Because when you ride PUBLIC, every trip becomes a chance to connect with your city—and yourself.
From Amsterdam to America: The Joy of “Biking for Everyone”
Our founder, Rob Forbes, didn’t set out to start a bike company—he set out to bring a feeling to America. That feeling? The effortless freedom he experienced on the streets of Amsterdam. There, biking isn’t a statement; it’s a way of being. He watched a grandmother in a wool coat pedal to the market, a group of teens laughing as they rode to the cinema, and a businessman in a suit glide to his office—all without specialized gear, fancy shoes, or the pressure to “perform.” Bikes were just part of the fabric of life, accessible to everyone, no exceptions.
That’s the feeling Rob wanted to bottle and bring home. PUBLIC Bikes was born from the belief that biking should be as inclusive as the streets themselves. We rejected the industry’s focus on “elite” cyclists and instead built bikes for the rest of us: the people who ride to pick up milk, to meet a friend for coffee, or just to get some fresh air. We named ourselves PUBLIC because biking isn’t just for a select few—it’s a right that belongs to every member of the community. When you ride PUBLIC, you’re not just joining a brand; you’re joining a movement that says streets are for people, not just cars—and joy is for everyone.
Biking Beyond the Ride: It’s About Connection
Think about your last commute by car. Chances are, you remember the traffic, the honking, the frustration of being stuck. Now imagine that same trip on a bike: you pass a street musician playing your favorite song, you stop to pet a dog outside a café, you wave at the barista who knows your order. Suddenly, your commute isn’t a waste of time—it’s a highlight of your day. That’s the power of biking with PUBLIC: it turns “getting there” into “being there.”
We call this “connected mobility”—a way of moving that ties you to your community instead of isolating you from it. When you ride a bike, you’re not just a passenger in your city; you’re a part of it. You notice the new mural on the old brick wall, the seasonal flowers in the park, the way the light hits the buildings at golden hour. These are the moments we miss when we’re sealed in a car. And the benefits go both ways: more bikes mean less traffic, cleaner air, and safer streets for kids to play. Biking isn’t just good for you—it’s good for the neighborhood you call home.
Design That Speaks to Your Life
Great design doesn’t shout—it listens. At PUBLIC, every bike we create starts with a conversation: What do real people need? Not what’s trendy, not what looks good in a catalog, but what will make their daily rides easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. Our design team doesn’t just sit in offices; they ride our bikes to work, run errands on them, and test them in rain, snow, and sunshine. They know that a bike needs to hold a laptop bag and a bunch of flowers. That it needs to be easy to mount in a dress. That it needs to feel steady and safe, even if you haven’t ridden in a decade.
Our bikes are built for your unique rhythm:
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The Community Connector: You’re the one who organizes neighborhood potlucks, volunteers at the local school, and knows everyone’s name. Our bikes have roomy baskets and sturdy racks, so you can carry casseroles to a friend’s house, books to the library, or supplies to the community garden. They’re designed to keep you connected to the people and places that matter most.
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The Stress Relief Seeker: Your job is high-pressure, and you need an escape that doesn’t require a gym membership or a long drive. Our bikes are smooth-riding and quiet, with comfortable seats that let you unwind as you pedal. A 30-minute ride after work isn’t just exercise—it’s therapy.
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The Adventure Curious: You want to explore the bike paths by the river, the hidden trails in the park, or the cute downtown area in the next town over. Our hybrid bikes are versatile enough for pavement and light gravel, with gears that shift easily so you can tackle hills without breaking a sweat. Adventure doesn’t have to be far—you just need the right bike.
We offer a variety of models to fit your life, but every PUBLIC bike shares the same core values: durability, simplicity, and style. We use rust-resistant steel frames that stand up to years of use, ergonomic handles that prevent hand fatigue, and brakes that are responsive even in wet weather. We skip the unnecessary bells and whistles—no complicated digital displays, no fragile components—and focus on what matters: a bike that works, every time you ride it. Because when your bike is reliable, you’re more likely to use it—and more likely to find those small moments of joy that make life great.
Ready to Ride: Because You Should Spend Time Riding, Not Assembling
We’ve all had the experience: you order a big-ticket item online, excited to use it, only to be faced with a mountain of parts and a manual that reads like a foreign language. When it comes to bikes, this isn’t just annoying—it’s a barrier. If assembling your new bike feels like a full-time job, you’re less likely to ride it. That’s why we created our “Ready to Ride” shipping program: to eliminate the hassle and get you on two wheels as fast as possible.
Here’s the PUBLIC difference: every bike is built and inspected by our team of certified mechanics in California. These aren’t just assembly line workers—they’re bike enthusiasts who take pride in their craft. They adjust the gears until they shift like butter, test the brakes to ensure they stop on a dime, and tighten every bolt to the exact standard. Then, they pack your bike in a custom box with thick foam padding to protect it during shipping. When it arrives at your door, it’s 99% ready to go. No more sorting through nuts and bolts, no more guessing which part goes where—just a few quick steps, and you’re riding.
15 Minutes to Freedom: The Simplest Assembly Ever
We’ve stripped the final assembly down to the basics, and we include everything you need in the box: a compact tool kit, easy-to-follow pictorial instructions, and even a little touch-up paint for any tiny scratches (though we pack so carefully, you probably won’t need it). Here’s how it works:
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Screw on the pedals: They’re pre-threaded, so you just turn them clockwise until they’re snug. Even if you’ve never held a wrench before, this takes less than a minute.
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Adjust the handlebars: Align them to your preferred position, tighten the clamp, and you’re done. We’ve already routed all the cables, so there’s no messy wiring to deal with.
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Set the seat height: Use the included guide to find the perfect fit (your knee should be slightly bent when the pedal is at the bottom), tighten the post, and you’re ready to roll.
We’ve tested this with people who swear they’re “mechanically challenged”: a college student who can’t fix a flat tire, a teacher who’s never assembled furniture, a retiree who hasn’t used a tool since the 90s. All of them were riding within 15 minutes. In fact, most said removing the packing material took longer than the assembly itself. That’s the point: we do the hard work, so you can do the fun part.
Your Safety Is Our Priority
“Ready to Ride” isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety. A bike with loose brakes, misaligned gears, or a wobbly handlebar is a danger to you and others. When you buy a bike from a discount retailer, you’re trusting your safety to someone who may not have the training to assemble it correctly. At PUBLIC, every bike goes through a 16-point inspection before it leaves our shop: we check the tire pressure, test the gears, adjust the brakes, and even lubricate the chain. When you ride PUBLIC, you’re not just getting a bike—you’re getting peace of mind.
We’re With You, From Click to Ride
Buying a bike is a big decision, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way. That’s why our customer service team is available 7 days a week, via phone, email, and chat. Whether you’re trying to choose between a city bike and a hybrid, need help with assembly, or have a question about maintenance, we’re here to answer—no jargon, no wait times, just friendly, expert advice.
We also offer free resources to make your riding experience seamless, including our “Ready to Ride” assembly videos. These videos are tailored to your specific bike model, so you can watch a mechanic walk through the final steps in real time. We’ve included close-up shots of every tool, slow-motion demonstrations of tricky parts, and tips to make the process even easier. It’s like having a bike expert right in your living room.
Video Guides for Every Rider
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Non-Disc Brake Bikes: This guide covers our most popular models, including the Classic City Bike and Step-Through. It walks you through pedal installation, handlebar alignment, and seat adjustment—all in under 5 minutes.
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Disc Brake & R18 Road Bikes: Disc brakes and road bikes have unique components, so we’ve created a dedicated video to cover them. You’ll learn how to handle hydraulic brakes, adjust road bike seats for maximum comfort, and ensure your gears are perfectly tuned.
Pro Tip: If your bike arrives in a factory box (not our Ready to Ride packaging), we recommend taking it to a local bike shop for assembly. Professional mechanics have the tools and expertise to ensure your bike is safe and ready to ride.
Join the Movement, Ride with PUBLIC
When you buy a PUBLIC bike, you’re not just buying a product—you’re joining a community of riders who believe in the power of two wheels to make life better. Our community hosts group rides in cities across the country, shares bike-friendly routes on our app, and even organizes volunteer events to build more bike lanes. It’s a place where you can meet other riders, share your stories, and be part of something bigger than yourself.
We stand behind our bikes with a 5-year frame warranty and a 30-day test ride guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your bike—if it doesn’t feel right, if it’s not what you expected—you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked. We’re that confident that once you ride PUBLIC, you’ll never want to go back to driving.
Life is made of small moments: the way your kid laughs when you ride fast, the taste of a fresh pastry from a bakery you discovered, the feeling of freedom when you pedal down a quiet street. These moments are waiting for you—all you need is a bike. PUBLIC Bikes is here to get you there, with no hassle, no stress, and all the joy.
Ride Toward More Joy Today
Visit our website to explore our full line of bikes, read more stories from our riders, and find the perfect bike for your life. We offer free shipping on all orders over $500, flexible financing options, and a team of experts ready to help you find your match. Don’t wait for “the right time”—the right time to ride is now. Your next favorite moment is just a pedal stroke away.
PUBLIC Bikes: Where every ride is a chance to live a little brighter.
