Barb’s Bike Shop came from humble beginnings with Barbara Fallon helping her grandmother rent bicycles in Dennis Port, MA during the 1960s. In 1989, Barbara started her own rental business with 25 Raleigh 3-speed bikes. Her shop space then consisted of a small beach umbrella, folding table, chair and sign.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, she transported the bikes everyday to this location next to the Cape Cod Rail Trail parking lot. By the end of that summer, Barbara’s rental fleet had grown to 75 bikes. As time progressed, she recognized the need to expand and rented a 40-foot trailer on site to store even more bikes. Every day Barbara erected a tent for her rental business space.

Of course, not everything was sunshine and roses. In 1991, Massachusetts decided to bid out the Rail Trail parking lot for bike rental spaces. For 3 years, Barbara endured the stress of competing with another competitor who opened directly beside her. Eventually the state pulled out, assuring her they wouldn’t open bids on the lot area again.

In 1995 she expanded a second time, moving into the dedicated building where the shop resides today. Barb’s Bike Shop is a family business run by 12th Generation Cape Codders and currently employs three generations of Barbara’s relatives. Her son Michael started working in 1995 at age 18, and is now co-owner, head mechanic and shop manager. Michael’s son, Matthew, now also works at the shop during the summer while on break from school.

Since opening in 1989, Barbara has observed cycling become a major pastime on Cape Cod with continuous growth every summer. In response to this rapid popularity, the Massachusetts DCR has extended the Rail Trail several times from Dennis all the way to South Wellfleet. This expansion continues into Yarmouth and, eventually will connect with Hyannis at Independence Park.