Bicycles are a great way to get around. They’re economical, eco-friendly and good exercise. But their design never made much sense to television and film editor and director—and lifelong bike rider—Scotty Wilson.
Bikes are big, bulky and not easily transported from one place to the other (unless the bike is the transportation); they’re a pain to put into a hatchback and store in the garage.
With all this in mind, Wilson designed the Respect Cycles Mini Velo: a full-size bike frame with smaller-than-usual wheels. It’s easy to ride, store, transport and customize. Initially geared toward women and children who typically measure for smaller bikes, the Mini Velo has proved popular among people of all ages and genders. Wilson’s 8-year-old rides the same bike as 6-foot-tall Wilson.
Wilson says that since starting Respect Cycles in 2014, the company has sold about 2,000 standard Mini Velos out of the company’s Charlottesville warehouse, quite a few of them to touring musicians and their crews. Crew members for Rihanna, Jay-Z and Beyoncé own Respect Cycles…and from time to time, the stars will pedal them around, too.