Hello, my name is Alice Bixler. My Dad is Hap and I was practically born on a motorcycle. When I was about 8 or 9 years old I learned how to ride a motorcycle. It was a small Harley Davidson called a Hummer. I instantly loved riding. When I was old enough to get a drivers license I then started riding my Harley Topper scooter to school. It was a lot of fun. When we became a Honda dealership I got my first real motorcycle. It was a CB160. How nice. My CB160 was so much fun and it had an electric starter my Topper had a pull rope like a lawn mower. I also started riding enduro events. This is a timed event through the woods. I liked woods riding and I usually earned a trophy when entering an event.
When I got out of high school, I entered the State College of Florida formerly known as Manatee Community College and also worked part time. I met and married my sweetheart David Bixler. Shortly after we were married he was drafted and eventually went to Vietnam. While he was gone to Nam, I was working for my Dad at Hap’s and becoming more familiar with the motorcycle business. When David came home from the army, Dad gave him a job as a salesman here at the store. He had never ridden a motorcycle before he had met me but he had an instant love for riding just like I did. We both enjoyed enduro events. David started the Sarasota Area Dirt Riders club and also helped with the start of the Florida Trail Riders. He was also past President of the FTR.
As our family grew and our dealership grew it became apparent that my Dad was right and I needed to get my insurance license so I could help our customers with their insurance needs. In March of 1976, I completed insurance school, past the state exam and became a license insurance agent. Over the years, I have learned more and more about the different coverages for motorcycles. I also have become very knowledgeable in the auto insurance area. I sell through three companies, Progressive, American Reliable and Dairyland. Discounts are available when you purchase Motorcycle coverage and auto with the same company. There are also discounts for being a home owner or taking the motorcycle safety course. I also assist my customers with RV, boat and travel trailer coverage as well as commercial vehicle insurance and umbrella coverage. If you are looking for insurance, Hap’s Cycle Sales is your one stop shop.
It is wonderful working in a family owned dealership. My family members that work with me are Hap, Bob, Denny, Valerie, Lana, David and my son Steve. We also have some employees that have worked here and are very loyal to our customers and company. I have been around motorcycles all my life. Our two sons, Steve and David learned to ride at an early age as well as my niece Lana. Bob Poneleit, my Brother is Lana’s Dad and she works in the office with me.
Both of my sons have also worked here at Hap’s. Dad always started us out young. As soon as we knew how to sweep with a broom or polish a motorcycle, we had a job. My sons eventually moved into the parts department, then my son David graduated from University of Florida and now lives in the Orlando area. My son Steve however, still works here and is now one of the sales men here. He also takes care of our website and when he is not working he brings his three sons down here to ride their 4 wheelers and dirt bikes.
Our family is a motorcycle family. Dad rides, Brother Denny races and his wife, Lola rides, brother Bob and his wife, Valerie both ride, Lana and her husband Matt and her children ride. David and I ride as well as our sons David and Steve and Steve’s children. Also we have a brother Steve Poneleit in Venice that owns South County Honda and his entire family rides.
Dad’s slogan is “You do Ride a Motorcycle Don’t You” and if your answer isn’t yes then please come down and see us. We will give you the “South’s Best Service” like we have since 1948.
Hap's Insurance is operated by Alice M Poneleit-Bixler. Alice is the daughter of "Hap" Poneleit the President of Hap's Cycle Sales, Inc. Alice is an independent insurance agent selling insurance for Progressive, Dairyland and American Reliable Insurance companies. Alice can only sell to Florida residents. 
