At 46, Stránský is a busy man. “I juggle a lot of projects,” he says with a smile. “You could say I’m a bit of an expert in transportation – I’ve spent the past 16 years working for a Czech company selling and managing business jets.” But ten years ago, Stránský’s path took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon a bicycle that changed his life.
“At the time, I was looking for a bike for getting around the city, and here was this stylish, beautifully crafted bike. The simplicity of the design, the colours – everything just clicked.” Within a few weeks, Stránský’s idea was cemented: he had to bring these bikes to Prague.
Back in Prague, he rallied a few friends around his idea and they travelled to Berlin where they visited a tokyobike shop, took the bikes for a spin, and decided they had to bring one home. “We literally withdrew cash from an ATM and bought a bike to bring back with us.”
An email to the unknown
Stránský’s relationship with tokyobike headquarters began with a simple email he sent directly to the brand’s founder, Ichiro Kanai, hoping to connect with the people behind the product he admired. “To my surprise, I received a reply from Kanai’s manager, Fuyuki, and we quickly agreed on collaboration,” he explains.
By April 2015, Václav and his friends opened their first tokyobike shop in Prague – a small basement space that they managed to turn into a welcoming, stylish corner for cycling lovers.
The reception was mixed but enthusiastic. “People fall into two groups,” Stránský explains. “Some think we’re selling refurbished old bikes but for others, it’s a love brand. They ride the bike, do a lap around the block, and come back smiling. They experience firsthand the unique handling and the pure joy of riding.” The design of tokyobike, with its 26″ wheels, provides a nimble and responsive ride ideal for city cycling. “The smaller wheels allow for quick acceleration at intersections and make it easy to manoeuvre through tight city traffic,” he says.
Another key advantage is their low maintenance. “Modern bikes are often packed with technology, which means constant upkeep. Tokyobike, on the other hand, is beautifully simple – no disc brakes, no suspension, just a solid, straightforward bike. My wife has had hers for eight years, and it still looks brand new. For many people, that simplicity is incredibly appealing.”
The tokyobike community
Stránský’s tokyobike shop has become a hub for bike lovers where they can also find authentic Japanese accessories like handcrafted grips, pedals, and Nishiguchi Kutsushita socks. “We even carry Evolg gloves, so you can use your smartphone without taking them off,” he adds with a grin.
When asked about his customers, Stránský laughs, “At first, I created these ideal customer profiles but to my surprise, we attract everyone – from parents and local politicians to journalists and professionals who want a stylish, practical bike for commuting.”
In love with cycling
Despite his success, Stránský never set out to open a bike shop. “I studied photography in the U.S. and thought I’d make a living with my camera,” he says. Yet his passion for cycling led him in a different direction. “Back in 1995, I volunteered at the European Mountain Bike Championship in Špindlerův Mlýn, setting up tracks and working as a course marshal. After that, I started helping organise bike races.”
These days, Stránský uses his yellow tokyobike to zip around Prague. “I hate walking,” he admits. “If I need to get somewhere, I just jump on my bike.” He even takes his tokyobike on family vacations, as long as they’re not heading to mountainous areas.
Visiting Tokyo? Hopefully one day
Interestingly, Stránský hasn’t yet been to Japan but it’s on his list. “I’m saving up for a trip,” he says, “especially with our ten-year anniversary coming up.”
Meeting the tokyobike team was memorable. “When they visited Prague for the first time in 2015, I proudly showed them our shop,” Stránský recalls. “But Fuyuki, their manager, was acting strangely. I asked if something was wrong, and he said everything was fine. Later, after a couple of beers, he admitted he’s claustrophobic and thought he was going to die in our basement shop!” he laughs.
Despite the challenges, Stránský’s passion remains strong. “Tokyobike’s headquarters check in from time to time but I love what I do,” he says. “It’s not a huge business. I sell city bikes in a city with a challenging cycling culture and there are always struggles but that’s part of the job.”
