ENCINITAS — Two electric bicycle shops along Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas, Charlie’s Electric Bike and Griff Electric Bikes, have closed for good.
Charlie’s Electric Bike owner Niko Sougias, who opened his shop in 2017, announced the closure in an Oct. 15 social media post, saying the business struggled as the market shifted and faster, motorcycle-style e-bikes gained popularity among younger riders.
Sougias, who has been an outspoken e-bike safety advocate, said his “views on e-bikes no longer align with much of the industry, particularly when it comes to youth riders.”
“To succeed as a bike shop in Encinitas today, you need to sell what are essentially electric motorcycles marketed toward kids,” Sougias wrote on Instagram. “These machines are not bicycles — they’re illegal for street use.”
Sougias urged families to consider safety and legality before purchasing electric bikes, telling young riders to “always be aware of your surroundings” and asking parents to “reconsider buying your child an e-bike to ride in traffic alongside cars.”
Sougias thanked customers for their eight years of support.
“Thank you, Encinitas, for allowing us to serve you,” Sougias wrote. “Keep riding, and ride safe.”
Just up the road, Griff Electric Bikes, owned by Carlsbad resident John Griffin, also recently closed its shop at 1900 N Coast Hwy 101 in Encinitas. The storefront is now occupied by 101 Bikes, an e-bike company founded by motocross champion Jeremy McGrath and BMX legend Bob Haro, founder of Haro Bikes.
Neither Sougias nor Griffin could be reached for comment.
The closures come as North County cities are tightening rules for young e-bike riders amid mounting safety concerns. San Marcos recently became the first in the region to ban riders under 12 from using Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, while also adopting a “Ride Right” safety campaign.
Carlsbad’s traffic commission recently recommended a similar rule, though commissioners questioned whether the change would meaningfully change youth riding habits.
Leucadia Cyclery, founded in 1974 and operating out of its new permanent Coast Highway 101 location, remains one of the region’s last legacy bike shops, offering e-bike sales and rentals and full-service mobile and in-house repairs for electric, road and mountain bikes and more.
“We’re truly sad to see Charlie’s close its doors, and we send our best wishes to Niko and his team,” Leucadia Cyclery owner Jeff Schade told The Coast News. “After getting to know Niko, I’m confident we’ll see him launch another cool endeavor soon.”
In his farewell post, Sougias directed former customers to Leucadia Cyclery for full service and repairs.
