Places to Buy/Sell Used Bicycles – New Orleans
Cycling in New Orleans
New Orleans has a growing cycling culture thanks to its generally flat terrain, historic neighborhoods, and emerging bike infrastructure like the Lafitte Greenway — a 2.6-mile multi-use trail connecting Tremé to Bayou St. John and beyond. Riding here is popular for both transportation and leisure, with many residents and visitors using bikes to explore the city’s vibrant districts and parks.
Read on for a current, locally relevant list of places and ways to buy or sell used bicycles and bicycle gear in New Orleans, Louisiana — including in-person shops, community/charity places, online options, and donation opportunities — followed by tips for safe buying and selling.
Where You Can Sell Your Used Bike or Gear (In-Person & Local)
Community-Focused Shops & Nonprofits
These places are worth checking if you want a community vibe, possible partial buy-outs, donation options, or help refurbishing a bike:
- YEP Bike Works — Youth Empowerment Project Bicycle Works sells repaired donated bikes and may take in used bicycles or gear; supports youth job training and maintenance education.
- RUBARB Community Bike Shop — Community workshop and bike co-op in the Upper 9th Ward that accepts donations of bikes/parts and helps repair and reuse them. Suggestion from local riders is that donation here is a good alternative if you don’t want to sell.
Note: Local online community discussions suggest co-ops like RUBARB are often the go-to for donating a bike rather than commercial shops buying it outright.
Brick-and-Mortar Shops That May Buy or Accept Trade-Ins
Some traditional bike shops sometimes buy used bikes (or will take them on consignment/offer trade-in credit) — call ahead to confirm their policies:
- Bokah Bikes – Local favorite with very high reviews; known for friendly service and efficient repairs, may offer used bikes and restoration options.
- The Bike Shop – Well-rated local shop in Freret; sell/repair bikes and may consider used inventory.
- Mike the Bike Guy – Friendly neighborhood shop on Magazine St; decent reputation for service and possible used gear.
- Bicycle Michael’s – Long-standing Frenchmen St. staple; might consider trades depending on inventory needs.
- Bayou Bicycles – Traditional bike shop; main focus is new bikes, but sometimes carries used stock or accessories.
Where You Can Buy a Used Bike or Gear (In-Person & Local)
Certified Used / Casual Buy Spots
These places are known to offer used bikes or can steer you to local inventory:
- YEP Bike Works — Community nonprofit shop with used bikes/parts at affordable prices.
- Bokah Bikes — Highly recommended by local riders for used and fun bikes around the city.
- Most traditional bike shops above (The Bike Shop, Mike the Bike Guy, Bicycle Michael’s) also sometimes sell consigned or lightly used bikes — ask when you visit.
Online Marketplaces
Local online spaces where people often list used bikes:
- Craigslist – New Orleans Bikes & Bicycles — Listings for a range of used bikes at various price points.
- Facebook Marketplace & Local Buy/Sell Groups — Search local bike groups or general sales (Tulane, Loyola, area FB marketplace groups) — often good for quick sales and deals.
- 9 Bears – International cycling classifieds but with a local section for New Orleans. New but gaining some momentum.
Donation & Community Options
If selling isn’t important and you want to give back:
- RUBARB Community Bike Shop — Large source of donated bikes and parts; open shop for community use and learning.
- BYOBikes / Bike Drives — Local programs (sometimes tied to universities or nonprofits) that collect bikes to give to children or community members.
Tips & Safety (Buying/Selling Bikes or Gear)
In-Person Transactions
- Meet in public places during daylight hours.
- Bring a friend if possible.
- Ask to ride or inspect the bike before buying.
- Check the serial number and confirm it’s not flagged as stolen (register/verify on BikeIndex or similar).
- For selling, clean and tune the bike to make it more appealing.
Online Transactions
- Communicate via platform messaging, not text initially.
- Avoid cash-only pickups after dark.
- For medium/expensive sales, consider PayPal Goods & Services or meet at a safe public spot.
- Beware prices that seem too good to be true — they often are.
General Bicycle Gear Advice
- Helmets should be sold only if no crashes and no damage — check for dents or compromised foam.
- Chain drivetrain parts should be inspected; worn components can be expensive to replace.
Quick Summary
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sell Used Bikes (In-Person) | YEP Bike Works; Bokah Bikes; Neighborhood shops |
| Buy Used Bikes (In-Person) | YEP Bike Works; Bokah Bikes; Ask shops about consignment |
| Online Marketplaces | Craigslist; Facebook Marketplace |
| Donate Bikes | RUBARB Community Bike Shop; BYOBikes / community drives |
by: Blair Fontana
A versatile freelance content creator known for her engaging writing style and diverse range of interests. Blair has carved out a niche in lifestyle writing, captivating her audience with insightful articles… read more
