BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Chalk Farm Road in London was closed off last night as thieves smashed into a supermarket and a branch of Evans Cycles. The third night of violence in London saw yobs break into a variety of shops across the capital. Halfords stores were targeted on the first and second nights of the disturbances; independent bike stores were targeted last night, along with many other independent retailers.
In Islington, the relatively new Micycle was vandalised, with a neighbour capturing some of the break-in on a videophone. Groups of men and boys – some on bikes – can be seen shouting outside the shop, which is on Barnsbury Street, a leafy Georgian street.
The Micycle website has no news on the break-in.
The website describes the shop thus: "Take a step back to a fresher and quieter time and enjoy a peaceful browse round our friendly and stylish shop where you can buy accessories, chat about all things bike, have a hot chocolate…We’re aiming to create a little haven in Islington, a bit off the beaten track… Lovely."
The shop stocks bikes from Kona, Bianchi and Dahon.
Andreas Kambanis of the Londoncyclist blog is a big fan of the shop, which has a garden designed by Joe Swift of BBC Gardeber’s World. Last year he wrote:
"After a quick tour of the shop and workshop I sit down with Penny, one of the owners, in the zen-like garden located at the back. I try to think if I’ve ever sat in the back garden of a bike shop before. There is a really relaxed feel about the place.
"Some shops, such as MiCycle, have realised they are not selling bikes, they are selling cycling. It is this complete package that will keep people coming back and building a good relationship with their shop. I like this new attitude and with the sheer range of services on offer, MiCycle are really taking it to the next level."
