By John Hayden

Northeast Sixth Avenue connects Wilton Drive to Oakland Park and has a sizable volume of traffic. Soon, a lot of that auto traffic will be bicycle traffic. Carvelle Estriplet is opening a new Carvelle Bikes at 2917 NE 6th Ave. in Wilton Manors. The longtime community activist has been a biking enthusiast for years and is well known for helping newbies and cycling veterans get on the road and stay on the road. “When it comes to bikes, I’m super fired up,” Estriplet said as we talked in the middle of the new space that was still being renovated before the grand opening in October.

Inside, bikers will find top end old school bikes like Cannondale, scooters, and top-of-the-line electric bikes from makers like Aventon. “These new bikes can pair up with your phone, you can charge them, they go up to 35 miles an hour, and are $1999,” she told OutClique. With electric bikes becoming a less physical but still eco-friendly transportation option, she says 6th Avenue is going to become Electric Avenue.

If the name Carvelle Bikes sounds familiar, there’s a reason. Carvelle Bikes has been at the back of Wilton Collective for nearly two years. It’s been the only bike shop in Wilton Manors and was a great first step. But the space was small and limiting. The new venue is ten times the size of the original shop. In addition to selling new bikes, as well as a few used ones on consignment, she’s also an expert on service. “Service is always going to be here. There will be tune ups, those are never going to change. Whatever you need from flat tires to gears, it’s still a full-service bike shop.”

In a time when people are buying everything from shampoo to cars online, getting a bike is one of those experiences you’re best doing in person. The phrase ‘it’s just like riding a bike’ means it’s something you never forget how to do. But technology is advancing the experience and there are new skills to be learned. “I don’t know how to explain the feeling of riding an electric bike. When you ride these, you pedal. You need to come in for a test ride.”

Carvelle also points out that bikes aren’t a one-size-fits-all product. “Bikes come in different sizes. You have to come in. With something like a bike, you’ve got to ride it. You have to like it and a picture on a computer screen just doesn’t do it.”

The expanded size of her store means she can not only display more inventory, but it also means it can become a gathering spot as well. “It’s not going to be only a bike shop. It’s going to be my community center.” She’s a leading activist on trans rights and can always be spotted at events geared towards advancing LGBTQIA+ causes. Now she’s making her profession fit into her platform. “Anything civic, political, or business. It’s going to be a venue on ‘Electric Avenue.’ This is the hot spot right here.”