I think if you look hard enough in Van Nuys, you can find a factory or entrepreneur manufacturing or selling just about anything.

Dana Lieberman is the owner of Bent Up Cycles. He told me that the shop, which has been in business for about two years, is LA’s only bike store fully devoted to recumbent bicycles.

He let me ride one blue model with two wheels. It was my first time sitting in one of these. The upright posture is immediately more comfortable than the slouched over and injurious position of a conventional bike. I trained by riding in the parking lot, after he instructed me to not try to turn around (which of course I did). I then got to ride it down the industrial road behind the store.

I first thought about these because my father has difficulty walking and balancing due to a progressive neurological illness. His mobility has been impacted severely: he uses a walker now. I thought he might benefit and enjoy biking again while on a three-wheeled recumbent.

The prices of these bikes are not cheap. They range from $800-$2,000. But the pleasure and health giving gifts of these machines is priceless.

Bent Up Cycles
7828 Balboa Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
t.818-994-4171
sales@bentupcycles.com
www.bentcupcycles.com