“There’s something about riding a bike that can’t be replaced by any other type of exercise.” — Gray Augustus, Bill’s Bike and Run

IDAHO FALLS — Running a bike shop is a lot like owning a car dealership, says Gary Wight.

“It’s just like being in the automobile business – you just take off two wheels and two zeros,” said Wight.

Wight owns Bill’s Bike and Run, at 930 Pier View Drive in Idaho Falls. The athletic shop specializes in bike and running apparel, bike repair, running analysis and bike and running-shoe fitting. Bill’s sells a variety of bikes for adults and children, from brightly colored cruisers with cushiony seats and wide handlebars, to robust road bikes with brand names like Specialized, Giant and Raleigh.

Wight worked in the auto industry for 30 years and owned several car dealerships in eastern Idaho. He retired in 2005, but found that retirement didn’t suit him.

Instead of spending his days playing golf or taking beachfront vacations in Boca Raton, Wight decided to go back to work.

In 2010 he bought what was then called Bill’s Bike Shop. Three years later, Wight added a running component and took on Gray Augustus as a partner. Augustus is chairman of the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization and is an Idaho Falls MAD Marathon organizer.

Giving back to the community

History Today Bill’s is a state-of-the-art athletic shop. But when the business first opened its doors in 1947, it was something very different. The store’s original owner was Bill Murdock, who opened the first Bill’s Bike Shop in downtown Idaho Falls. “Bill was a big man and was real friendly and he always had a big cigar in his mouth,” said Wight. Murdock eventually split the business in two, with a motorcycle business on Cliff Street and a bike shop on Holmes Avenue. Bill’s son, Stan Murdock, took over the bike business in the ’80s and sold the shop to Wight in 2010.

Bill’s is committed to community service. Each Christmas the bike shop refurbishes and gives away hundreds of used bicycles to disadvantaged youth. Through it’s participation in the St. Vincent De Paul’s Christmas Basket program and the police department’s Shop with a Cop charity, Bill’s has given away more than 5,500 bikes over the years.

Recently Bill’s won the Distinguished Business Award from the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce in honor of its contributions to the community.

Augustus said it’s important for kids to have bikes in their lives because physical activity helps combat obesity.

According to the Specialized Foundation, children diagnosed with ADHD experienced a reduction in symptoms after undergoing a regular bike regimen. Find out more here.

Augustus and Wight see their work as a means for helping people not only achieve their fitness goals but also improve their mental health.

“Riding a bike is something that’s proven to improve quality of life,” said Augustus. “There’s something about riding a bike that can’t be replaced by any other type of exercise.”

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, it doesn’t matter how young you are. It makes no difference – there’s a bike that will fit your needs,” added Wight. “It’s easy to be passionate about it.”

For information, call (208) 522-3341 or visit Bill’s website. Idaho Falls residents interested in donating to Bill’s charities can drop off their used bikes at the store’s location on Pier View Drive.