The Bike Gallery

Alirio “Al” Lizarazo, a Colombian immigrant who settled in Charlotte in 1962, reshaped the city’s cycling scene by opening The Bike Gallery in the historic Dilworth neighborhood in 1974. Beyond running the shop, he championed local cycling—pedaling solo before dawn and promoting the sport throughout Charlotte.

His sons, Roland and Andres, carried forward their father’s mission, turning The Bike Gallery into a community center for riders. Now operated by Al’s grandson, Christian, the family business marks five decades of success. The milestone honors a visionary legacy that helped embed cycling in Charlotte’s culture, and the shop remains committed to serving local riders for the next 50 years.