Frequently asked

Is it free?

Yes — free to list, free to browse. No fees, no commissions, and no payments of any kind run through the site.

How do I buy something?

Find an item, hit Message seller, and you’ll get the seller’s contact (WhatsApp or email, their choice) after a quick anti-spam check. Arrange to meet in person in NYC. Pay the seller directly when you have the item in hand.

How do I pay?

Directly with the seller, in person: cash, or whatever you both agree. Bike Drawer never touches the money. Never pay before the item is in your hands, and never wire a deposit to “hold” something.

Is it safe?

Safer than an open marketplace, but use your head. We keep contact details out of the page (no scraping), run anti-spam, and moderate. You should still meet in public, inspect before paying, and trust your gut. See Buying & selling safely for more.

How do I sell?

Post a listing (free), then click the link in the confirmation email to publish it. You manage, edit, mark sold, or delete it anytime from that emailed link. No account needed.

Do I need an account?

No. Buyers need nothing. Sellers manage listings through a private link emailed to them. There are no passwords.

What does “Introduced by…” mean?

When someone already selling here invites you, your listings show “Introduced by {their name}.” It means a person in the NYC cycling community knows you and put their name next to yours: a small confidence signal, nothing more. It is not a verification, a background check, or a guarantee from anyone. Inspect the item and judge the seller the same way you would for any listing.

What’s a “New seller”?

Just someone who hasn’t been introduced by another seller yet. It’s neutral. Plenty of honest people post without an invite. It’s not a warning; it only means there’s no introduction to show. Use the same good sense you’d use anywhere.

How do I get an invite?

Ask someone you know who already sells on Bike Drawer. They can create a one-time invite link from their dashboard and send it to you. You don’t need one to post: anyone can list for free and simply shows as a New seller. Invites only add an introduction.

Should I introduce someone?

If you know a rider with gear to sell, yes. Introductions are how Bike Drawer grows. Create a one-time invite link from your dashboard and send it to them; their listings will show “Introduced by {you}.” To a buyer, a brand-new seller is an unknown. Your introduction tells them a local rider vouches for this person, which earns them trust and helps the gear sell. It’s a vouch, not a guarantee, and you can rescind it anytime from your dashboard (that reverts them to “New seller”). You get a limited number of invites, which keeps each introduction meaningful.

What about stolen bikes?

Not tolerated. Sellers are asked to list the serial number on bikes and framesets, and before buying, buyers should check that number against Bike Index, Project 529, or BikeRegister. Report anything that looks stolen.

Can I list an e-bike?

Yes. Pedal-assist e-bikes and e-bike parts and accessories are welcome, as long as they meet New York’s safety-certification law. After a run of deadly lithium-battery fires, Local Law 39 requires e-bikes, e-scooters, and their lithium-ion batteries sold in NYC to be UL-certified (UL 2849 for e-bikes, UL 2271 for batteries, UL 2272 for e-scooters). So keep it to certified gear: an uncertified or “no-name” battery can’t legally be sold here.

Some listings show a “manufacturer image”. What’s that?

When a seller’s photos aren’t clear, they can add an official manufacturer photo to show the exact model. These are clearly labeled “Manufacturer image — not the actual item.” Always judge the item by the seller’s real photos.

How long do listings stay up?

60 days, then they expire. You can renew from your manage link.

How do I report a listing?

Every listing has a Report link near the bottom. Tell us what’s wrong and we’ll review it.

Who runs this?

A solo builder and cyclist, no company behind it. More on the About page. Questions: hello@bikedrawer.com.