When you were a child, chances are you had a pedal bike but gave it up once you were old enough to get an auxiliary cycle, or maybe because it was not considered cool anymore.

As more and more sedentary Bermudians become aware of their health and the need to keep fit, the pedal bike is making a comeback, and people are flocking to bicycle shops in droves.

Bicycle distributors like Jay Anderson from EZ Rider in Somerset are discovering that many teenagers are catching their parents enthusiasm, especially if the bicycles in question are considered “the coolest thing on the planet”.

Mr. Anderson imports Phat Cycles, USA and says they’re taking California, and the rest of the US by storm.

“These bicycles are appealing to any age group with their hip style, amazing colours, sleek lines and killer designs.

“It’s the bike for the ultimate ride of mind, body and spirit,” he says as he adds that he hoped the craze will take off in Bermuda.

There are about 37 models to choose from in a huge variety of colours with designer graphics tailored to your specific tastes in either single, three or seven speed.

Mr. Anderson believes the trendy modified cruisers with their retro-styled monocoque tank, chopper styling and 24 inch wide rear tires will be a hit among Bermuda’s youth.

Another popular line he offers is the X-rated series, characterised by the sleek style, higher placed handlebars and extra long wheel base.

“They call it a triple-tree front-end with disc brakes,” he adds, using the motorcycle lingo to better describe the product.

And then there is the high fashion bicycle for the two-wheeled world - the designer series.

“There’s the Hawaiian-inspired Lady’s Aloha Mahola with its unique graphic design or the three-speed Phat Kaddy that features tall rear fins with working tail lights. This is a very cool bike.”

The designer series also includes a tandem bicycle which is anything but ordinary and sells for about $995, as well as either 20 or 24-inch rim bicycles for girls in five pastel shades.

One bicycle which is turning heads, not only in Bermuda but also in Hollywood, is the “whopper chopper”.

This 70s-inspired bicycle comes in a variety of sizes including a 20-inch rim chopper for boys.

Mr. Anderson happily adds that Hollywood stars Jim Carrey and Robin Williams have both been espied aboard one of these “mean machines”.

He points out the features of the chopper and why it is such an appealing bicycle: “It sports a Phat coach classic bi-oval x-frame design with double CNC alloy plates, 24-inch alloy wide rear wheel with 20-inch front stainless steel spokes and an 18-inch handlebar. It’s the baddest bike in the land.”

Mr. Anderson dares anyone to get on a “whopper chopper” and not get hooked.

“This is the type of bike you take to the football game, but you don’t get off to watch. You simply sit and watch the girls come around. It’s a crowd-drawer because it is totally off the wall.”

The chopper might not be the most practical transport for a city courier or cross-country bicycle enthusiast, but according to one online testimonial, riding the Phat Cycle chopper was “like pedalling a La-Z-Boy around.”

A bit of an adrenaline junky, Mr. Anderson is a firm believer in being adventurous and trying new things and feels that the Phat line of cycles is sure to be affordable exorbitance for the “trendsetter in all of us”.