BMX CYCLE CENTER: PEDAL PIONEERS

At the outskirts of Caloocan stands a 35-year old bike shop. A witness to generations and weathers passed, BMX Cycle Center is one of the pioneering BMX bike shops in the Philippines. Compact but complex, its exterior illustrates maturity as the store’s layout leads proof to the business’ success.

It was a Thursday afternoon when TeamManila decided to visit siblings and BMX Cycle Center managers Mark and Shiela Astilla. The day was about to close but BMX Cycle Center was still busy entertaining customers and managing bike repairs; parts and cycles were situated everywhere which leaves almost no room for sitting – but nobody’s complaining because it was definitely a sight to see.

We talked to Mark Astilla and learned all about BMX Cycle Center’s beginnings and current projects – from its heritage to bridging communities all over the country, know more about BMX Cycle Center below.

AS GENERATIONS PASS

“It all started in 1980,” Mark opens when asked about BMX Cycle Center’s history. “It started from my Mom and Dad who were friends with people from the [biking] industry. Friends nila ‘yung mga importer ng bicycle so sila-sila rin ‘yung nagstart ng bike business sa Pilipinas.” True to his claim, BMX Cycle Center was one of the first shops in Manila who sold, repaired, and imported bicycles.

Bicycle Motocross or BMX was the biking trend back then which led the Astillas to opening a shop specifically meant for the kind. But as time passed, BMX Cycle Center expanded their sale and welcomed more customers from different parts of the country. The decades-old business was then passed down to Mark and Shiela.

“Noong pumasok na kami sa business, kaming magkapatid, kung ano ‘yung hobby ng bikers, ina-apply namin.” Mark who is an active rider has shifted from mountain bikes, BMX, and fixed gear. He gradually applied these changes to BMX Cycle Center’s business pace. “Nagkaroon na rin kami ng branded parts, nag-source out kami from other countries and eventually nakagawa kami ng sariling brand namin. Hanggang doon kami lumaki, nadevelop ng nadevelop. Every year may mga new model, may events on fixed gear and BMX as support din sa community.”

BMX CYCLE CENTER AS A BRAND

BMX Cycle Center developed not only as a store but also as a brand thus setting them apart from other bike businesses. “Kung kunwari gusto mo magbuo ng BMX, alam na ng tao ‘yung takbuhan. Parang ‘yung BMX Cycle Center, BMX specialist na. Lahat ng pwede at kailangan, nandito na.”

Aside from customizing and repairing bikes, BMX Cycle Center also designs and manufactures their own bike parts. Their house brand, The Project, is a hit for bikers who are looking for affordable but well-built bicycle parts. But this does not limit BMX Cycle Center’s audience, Mark tells, “Iba-iba [‘yung audience namin.] From grade school to high school and college merong bumibili ng fixed gears and mountain bikes; mostly students from our area. Meron din kaming customers from Visayas and Mindanao kasi nagse-sell din kami doon.”

A regional expansion was inevitable for BMX Cycle Center. Resellers from Pangasinan, Tarlac, Baguio, and even General Santos City extend the brand name as these shops carry the store’s house brand. As for Metro Manila, “Eto lang talaga ‘yung store namin pero nagdidistribute rin kami in Pasay and Quiapo – mga sentro ng bicycle shops.”

THE COMMUNITY TODAY

We asked Mark about his thoughts on the biking community at present – “The market is very unpredictable. Magulo ‘yung utak ng consumers kasi gusto nila ‘yung maganda na mura. For example magpapasok ka ng mas mura [na product], hahanapin naman nila ‘yung mas mahal. Iba-iba talaga e, hindi mo ma-predict. Pero maganda na malaki ‘yung scene, ‘yung community, kasi nabubuhay ang mga bike shop. Malakas at maganda in terms of business,” he answers.

BMX Cycle Center also has their fair share when it comes to supporting the local bike community – just like when they hosted BMX Day which was held last July 18 at various locations in the Philippines. “’Yung BMX Day, international thing siya every year. Lahat ng areas sa US mayroong BMX jams and competitions tapos inadapt namin dito sa Philippines. Ginawa naman naming different locations tapos sabay-sabay like in Davao, GenSan, Bicol, and Tacloban. Sa Manila naman sa may Lawton.”

BMX Day was widely received and sponsored by big brands like Vans. “Most ng prizes namin for BMX Day from Vans and sa amin. Tapos maganda ang feedback niya lalo na sa provinces like Tacloban. ‘Yung mga riders natin doon, nabuhayan ng loob. Even in other areas like Bacolod and Cebu where it was organized by our resellers, sila at ‘yung mga sponsored rider namin ang nag-handle ng event.”

BMX CYCLE CENTER IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS

As evening approached, we asked Mark how he sees BMX Cycle Center in the next 10 years. “I’ll pass the business to my kids. For branches naman we don’t have plans on opening more but we’ll definitely continue it.” He also emphasizes how collaboration is significant in a business’ growth, “Siguro mas maganda na more on collaboration with local brands para ma-uplift ‘yung buy local. Imported brands ang malakas pero kung kaya naman tapatan ng local gear, mas maganda,” he closes.

BMX Cycle Center is located at #23 B. Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan City. For inquiries and store hours, check out their Facebook page.

Categories Features