BikeBiz

I don't think cycling / cyclists are getting such great press at the moment..what with racing cyclist Saville on most newspaper front pages and Armstrong being denigrated on the back page, looks like a sad, bad time for cycling...

Are you a glass half empty kind of chap Billy? I'm not sure that cycling is the first thing people have in mind when they think of Jimmy Saville! And hopefully the public are bright enough to realise that not all cyclists are cheats and don't tarnish the whole lot with the same brush. If I was playing devil's advocate, I'd say all publicity is good publicity - cycling has had more headlines this year than I've had hot dinners (well, almost)! The John Terry scandal doesn't seem to have hit Chelsea ticket sales, for example…

Realist! Bradley gets lead position in some relatively obscure fun poll, whilst half page headlines like: "THE MOST SOPHISTICATED AND SUCCESSFUL DOPING PROGRAMME THAT SPORT HAS EVER SEEN" dominates the national press! I'm sure cycling isn't the first thing people think about when you mention Saville, especially not now, but there has been regular mention of his cycling past and cycling pics as his life has been laid bare...perhaps it's an anti cycling conspiracy. As for Armstrong, it's the lead doping story, but hardly a unique one in cycling, unfortunately. I would agree that in many cases any publicity can be good, but when it comes to doping, cheating and paedophilia (with disable kids too!)I think we may just have crossed a line here...

Well I think you're indulging in a little sensationalism with the chat about Saville – I'm sure plenty of awful people have ridden a bicycle before (or driven a car, eaten in a certain restaurant, etc). But moving to your point about cycling receiving a line-crossingly awful press in the last couple of weeks…if cycling has got a bad name at the moment, will that relate to cycle sales and actually stop anyone getting on a bike? I've seen you argue before that good publicity (eg the Olympics) doesn't result in increased sales for cycling - so I expect you logically don't think the converse is true? In fact despite the bad news, British Cycling and Sky have just reported that one million more Brits are getting on their bike more regularly.

"I've seen you argue before that good publicity (eg the Olympics) doesn't result in increased sales for cycling" - I have not said that? And British cycling has not said "despite the bad news, British Cycling and Sky have just reported that one million more Brits are getting on their bike more regularly" this truly is sensationalism ;) I have tried to stress my belief that accurate reporting is of real value and hype can be detrimental. I have suggested that there has been hype surrounding the commercial benefits of the Olympics, borne out by widespread research and press coverage on the retail sector and market performance data from the cycle trade, not to mention many anecdotal tales. For the record I think the Olympics success was wonderful, both for cycling awareness and the UK as a whole, but the real value to the long term commercial benefits of the industry (this is still a trade site, right?) is questionable, based upon historic evidence e.g. Australia's historic performance and more scientific analysis. Sky Rides - very worthy winner of your award and one of the best things out there, but your article reflects a 4 year programme of success, not a recent result “despite the bad news”. If you read our market trend discussion the other day you’d relate to the more cyclists, cycling more regularly comments. However, hard facts are that it’s been a tough commercial year for the industry despite all of the glitz and high nos of business failures in the sector is serious stuff for the industry and the individuals involved, retail and supply. The one comfort factor to hang onto for 2013 is SURELY it can’t be as wet as this year in the critical Easter – July period and despite all other external factors growth must surely be viable for most?

Oh and by the way, I believe that British Cycling is providing an excellent lead in how organisations - cycling or otherwise - should structure themselves, recruit and engage, both with participants and business/industry; let's hope more follow their lead!

BBC quote tonight re the Olympics effect: "small businesses did miss out though and we'll have to review the long term to assess results". AND I know very well from input throughout the country that the Olympics were viewed - rightly or wrongly - as a very london centric event; I have heard quite passionate expression on this subject across the country. It would be useful for all to get feedback on this issue?

"the public are bright enough to realise that not all cyclists are cheats and don't tarnish the whole lot with the same brush. If I was playing devil's advocate,I'd say all publicity is good publicity" - do you still think the same Jon? "The John Terry scandal doesn't seem to have hit Chelsea ticket sales"- maybe or maybe not, I don't have access to Chelsea ticket sales info, but I think the weekend's activities have proven that JT's antics have done little for the good of football as well. Perhaps publicity IS overrated?