After selling more than 130 bikes at last year’s inaugural event, organizers of the Bike Cochrane's Bike Swap say they’re already seeing a surge in registrations and are expecting their biggest turnout yet.
The second annual event is being held on Saturday, Apr. 26 at lower barn of the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society.
Bikes at last year’s swap ranged from $20 to $8,000, offering something for every rider—from kids’ bikes and cruisers to high-end road, gravel, fat, and mountain bikes.
“We’re all about getting more bikes into the hands of more people,” says Paul Perrault, Bike Cochrane's operations manager. “There are so many bikes sitting unused in garages. Our event is about connecting those bikes with riders who need them.”
Unlike other bike swaps in communities such as Invermere and Canmore, which often charge sellers between 10 and 20 per cent of the sale price, the Cochrane event keeps things simple and affordable. Sellers pay just $15 to register up to three bikes before the deadline of Wednesday, April 23. Day-of registration is available at $30.
The event was created in part to help people avoid the frustrations of trying to buy or sell bikes on platforms like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace.
“Low-ball offers and scheduling viewings can be such a hassle,” said organizers. “We wanted to make it easier—and safer—for everyone involved.”
Safety and transparency are key features of the swap. All bikes are checked against the BikeIndex database to confirm they haven’t been reported stolen.
They’ve teamed up with Bike Bros and Bighill Cycle to offer free safety checks. Just bring your bike/s to either shop, and they'll make sure the brakes and gears are working properly and the tires are holding air. Once it's checked, you'll get a tag to attach to your bike to give potential buyers added confidence.
“This isn’t a full tune-up,” explains Perrault, "But buyers can trust that the bike is safe to ride.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring the whole family, enjoy a BBQ lunch, and browse bikes while soaking in the excitement of a new season. With dry trails already in use, Cochrane boasts one of the longest cycling seasons in the province.
The swap is set to be a true community event, bringing riders of all ages together to share in their passion for biking—and maybe even find their next ride.
You can keep in touch with the countless initiatives of Bike Cochrane here.
