Nearly a decade ago, in October 2015, James Bussey turned a simple love of bicycles into what would become the largest African American–owned bicycle retail chain in the country. Freedom City Bike Club, headquartered in Pleasantville, began “humbly,” as Bussey said.
Bussey, a single father of four, had worked a string of jobs over the years — chef, casino server, musician. He wanted to build something meaningful that would not only provide for his family but also allow him to spend more time with his children. That desire led him back to a childhood passion: repairing and refurbishing bicycles.
Although it started as a small side business, it quickly gained traction as word spread.
Today, Freedom City Bike Club has grown far beyond Pleasantville. In addition to its headquarters, the company operates a retail store at Quaker Bridge Mall in Mercer County and several more locations across military bases throughout the Mid-Atlantic, including Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The newest store, at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, marks the brand’s sixth location.
The company’s presence on military bases reflects Bussey’s recognition of an unmet need: access to affordable mobility. Many service members and their families rely on bicycles for transportation across sprawling bases, where public shuttles can be infrequent and walking distances long. Freedom City Bikes not only sells and repairs traditional bicycles but also provides electric bikes — an option that had been largely unavailable through the military exchange system until Bussey’s team stepped in.
But beyond bikes, Bussey has a deep commitment to helping the community.
His philanthropic efforts are wide-ranging and quietly consistent. The company regularly donates bicycles, parts and funds to local schools, youth sports teams and charitable organizations. Over the years, Bussey has sponsored equipment for athletic teams, provided bikes for anti-violence initiatives, donated TVs to transitional housing and helped replace stolen bikes for neighborhood children — often without seeking publicity.
“You can’t take any stuff with you. You leave as a memory of a person — who you are, your character,” Bussey said. “I believe what you want from the universe, you have to put into the universe. [That’s how] I was raised. My father always gave back. My grandmother especially, she always cooked dinners for people in need. That’s my upbringing. We come up from humble beginnings.”
In Pleasantville, Bussey created a summertime program where children could earn bike parts or repairs by collecting litter around town. The idea was to reward community pride and teach responsibility while keeping kids engaged and outdoors.
This holiday season, Freedom City Bikes is organizing food drives for Jewish Family Services in Margate and the Mercer County Food Pantry, along with toy drives for families in need. The business also continues to support local outreach groups such as Angels in Motion, which operates a food pantry in Pleasantville.
Bussey’s approach to business blends entrepreneurship with empathy. He views giving back not as a marketing effort but as a natural extension of how he was raised.
“There’s nothing better than to give in this world because a lot of people take, take, take. I just find joy in giving, especially if I have a window. Even if I don’t have the opportunity, I still will try to create an opportunity to give,” Bussey said.
