Kayuh Bicycles and Café (ASIAN ARCHITECTS / DESIGNERS / ARTISTS OF PHILLY)

The vibrant orange bicycle leaps out from the wall at Kayuh Bicycles & Café as soon as you arrive. The mural was designed and painted by Amber Art and Design, a collective that focuses on projects that promote equitable growth for artists, communities, institutions, and movements. The artists involved were Keir Johnston, the late Willis "Nomo" Humphrey, Charles Barbin, and Ernel Martinez.

As a former bike racer, I can confirm that it is rare to see an Asian-owned bike shop in America. So it's especially exciting to see that this shop was not only founded by Izzat Rahman, who immigrated from Malaysia, but it has also been taken over by Henry Sam, who is the son of immigrants from Cambodia.

Pre-pandemic, this shop was quite the community hub by hosting open mic night, talent shows, and gatherings for local politicians. Unfortunately, the pandemic put the kibosh on this vibrant scene for many months while staff felt unsafe to return to the shop. Ingeniously, Sam then outfitted a van into a mobile bike shop and brought the shop to folks instead. The van additionally is a great way to support bike-centered events for a quick pre-ride tire top off or chain lube.

Kayuh Bicycles & Café is also venturing back into social events. They have hosted some social rides, the Francisville Community Clean Up, and they have an up-coming repair clinic that y'all should check out.

References

[1] Amber Art and Design: https://amberartanddesign.com/

[2] More on Keir Johnson: https://www.muralarts.org/artist/keir-johnston-2/

[3] More on Willis “Nomo” Humphrey: https://www.muralarts.org/artist/willis-nomo-humphrey/

[4] More on Charles Barbin: https://whyy.org/articles/lifting-spirits-by-painting-murals-on-raised-jersey-shore-houses/

[4] More on Ernel Martinez: https://www.muralarts.org/artist/ernel-martinez/

[5] Reference 1 for Kayuh Bicycles and Café: https://6abc.com/kayuh-bicycles-and-cafe-bike-repair-sales-philadelphia-coffee-shops/11817722/

[6] Reference 2 for Kayuh Bicycles and Café: https://aldianews.com/en/leadership/advocacy/bicycles-and-coffee

[7] Kayuh Bicycles & Café: https://beacons.ai/kayuh