Entrepreneur betting big on e-bikes with Fierro Bikes 412 downtown (Personalities of Pittsburgh)

PITTSBURGH — Tyler H. Church rides his own restless energy as he works to boost up his downtown e-bike store, striving to build a business getting Golden Triangle residents and visitors alike to hop on the growing trend of electric bicycle use. Part tinkerer, part entrepreneur, Church took over Fierro Bikes 412 from a previous owner who retired. He recently moved the shop from Penn Avenue into retail space at Fifth Avenue Place. As he leads a tour of bikes by brands such as Velotric, Himiway and one model by Mercedes-Benz, Church talks about the kinds of people who benefit from e-bikes. He takes satisfaction in recalling setting up one wheelchair-bound visitor with an electric tricycle and how much it improved the rider’s quality of life. He also highlighted his 3D printer in the back of the shop as he gears up to use it to make aftermarket bike accessories. A design professional by training who moved here from Los Angeles, Church has recruited a staff of e-bike repair technicians that also have ownership in the business as he and his partners pursue ambitious plans to grow.

What brought you to town in the first place? I came here to visit, just liked it and moved. It’s a cool city with a cool opportunity. That was right as the pandemic was winding down, I just wanted to do something different. I think there’s a lot of opportunity here, and there’s a lot of people who are hungry to do cool stuff and be a part of cool things. The city has such a rich history that I didn’t know too much about before visiting here. … I see a bright future for what can be here again.

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