Henry “Larry” Duffus is a pioneering Jamaican-American entrepreneur and community mentor renowned for his success in New York’s bicycle industry. With over forty-five years in the cycling business, Duffus has built an enduring legacy as the founder of a thriving Manhattan bicycle enterprise and a champion of healthy lifestyles. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, he arrived in New York in the 1970s with technical expertise and big ambitions – he had previously owned a small business in Kingston and honed a rare talent for fixing anything on wheels. In 1977, combining his mechanical wizardry and entrepreneurial drive, he co-founded one of the city’s first bicycle shops specializing in multi-speed bikes. What began as a 400-square-foot storefront, known as Larry & Jeff’s Bicycles Plus, quickly flourished into a respected family-run business through long days, craftsmanship, and personable customer service. By the early 1980s, the venture had expanded to multiple locations, and Duffus eventually established his own flagship store, Larry’s Freewheeling, which he continues to operate to this day. Today, he remains the driving force behind this New York institution, which has served generations of cyclists.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Larry Duffus has distinguished himself through outstanding community involvement and youth mentorship. He has continually leveraged his platform as a successful entrepreneur to give back to others, particularly within the Jamaican diaspora community in New York. Over the decades, Duffus has hired and trained numerous young people in his bike shops, imparting technical skills and a strong work ethic to those under his guidance. He is passionate about engaging youth in positive activities and has organized community bike rides and safety workshops to encourage active, healthy lifestyles. Duffus’s hands-on mentorship and approachable leadership style have made his stores a welcoming environment where local youths can learn, work, and grow. His commitment to nurturing the next generation is widely recognized – he “has used his platform to mentor youth and promote healthy lifestyles, exemplifying community leadership,” according to the Jamaica Gleaner’s account of his work. Whether through donating bicycles to children in need or offering free repairs for community members, he leads by example in fostering generosity and well-being.
Duffus’s contributions extend to supporting Caribbean-American cultural and charitable initiatives as well. He has been an active supporter of Jamaican community events in the New York area, frequently lending his time and resources to causes that benefit the diaspora and the homeland. His entrepreneurial story – from a young immigrant bicycle mechanic to the owner of a successful enterprise – has served as an inspiration to fellow Jamaicans abroad. Colleagues and customers alike admire his humility, perseverance, and the inclusive “family” atmosphere he creates in his business. In recognition of his decades of innovation and service, Henry “Larry” Duffus will receive the Entrepreneurship Award at the 2025 Jamaica Independence Gala. This honor celebrates his exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, his role in empowering youth, and his lasting contributions to the Jamaican community both in New York and beyond.