Posts by Jay Graves

In 1974, Jay Graves’ father, Bob Graves, opened a small bike shop built on a customer service foundation: Bike Gallery. Bob Graves loved bikes but was challenged by the poor service experienced at local shops while fueling his passion for bikes and bike gear.

Jay Graves carried on the bicycle tradition growing the Bike Gallery over the years because of this commitment to customer service. What started as a small store on NE Sandy Boulevard has now grown to six Portland area locations. Each store expansion has come from other bike shops in town (former competitors) calling and asking Jay to buy their business. They appreciated the integrity with which Bike Gallery runs its business and wanted their shop to continue as a bicycle resource for their neighborhoods.

Bob Graves, Jay’s father, taught Jay’s sisters and Jay about customer service (Bob was a master at listening to customers). He also taught them the importance of giving back to the community in which you live and work. That lesson stuck with Jay and has driven his involvement in numerous local non-profits. Jay has spent 12 years on the Bicycle Transportation Alliance board, was a founding board member of the Community Cycling Center (14 years) and a founding and current board member of Cycle Oregon. He also sits on the board of the National Bicycle Dealers Association where his goal is to help other bicycle retailers improve business practices. Recently he also joined the Oregon State Parks Commission Board, which oversees 235 state parks, because he believes that parks and recreation are important components of a livable community. He also encourages Bike Gallery staff to get involved in the community both on and off the job.

Jay believes that the bike industry is special in that, every day, it has the opportunity to affect change in people’s lives! Regardless of whether a bike is purchased for fun, sport, or transportation, Jay sees that many people improve their lives because they started riding. They experience the joy of going by bike: reducing stress, losing weight, feeling much happier because of the activity in their lives, or saving time and money.