Planning commission accepts new bike rental

By Hunter Hine Staff Writer

(May 12, 2023) The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans from Bike World to build a 720-square foot bike rental facility on the Boardwalk at 802 S. Atlantic Avenue at its meeting on May 2.

The new Bike World rental, repair and service building will be located right under the Trimper Big Wheel on the west side of the Boardwalk. It will have two garage doors facing north and include a designated 10-by-20 foot bicycle display area in front of the garage, bordering South First Street, said John Barrett, Bike World’s owner.

Planning and Zoning Director Karen Gordy presented the plans to the commission members before Barrett came to the podium to answer questions and go over details.

“This first application (Bike World) is minimal as far as a site plan application is concerned, but because it was over 200 gross square feet it did have to come before you because it is a commercial item,” Gordy said.

Gordy noted that the display area cannot extend into South First Street so there is space left for foot traffic between the Boardwalk and Trimper Rides.

Barrett showed the board a picture of the Caroline Street Bike World as an example of the blue and white color scheme the new building will likely copy.

Barrett plans to display the standard Bike World sign outside the newly constructed bike barn, which advertises their selection of bikes, fun cycles, choppers and tandems, along with several multi-person bikes.

The facility won’t house bathrooms, but will use those surrounding it within the Trimper’s Rides area, Barrett said.

Barrett and his wife, Barbie, who bought Bike World from original owner Allen Sklar, are closing the location on 20th Street. Barrett told the board he recently purchased two new bike shops.

The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission approved site plans from Bike World to build a new bike rental shop by Trimper Rides on the Boardwalk. Pictured is the exact location of where the rental location will be built.

“Locating it, I think, at the beginning of the Boardwalk is a great place to start,” Barrett said.