BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The outbreak of COVID-19 has sent shockwaves through our industry. As we weather the storm, BikeBiz will keep you updated with all the latest from the trade.
Cycle shops are set to be among the least affected type of business by a reduction in consumer spending over the next 12 months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with new research from the personal finance comparison site finder.com revealing that 87% of Brits plan to maintain or increase their spending at bicycle shops compared to pre-lockdown levels. Bike shops have been allowed to remain open since the beginning of lockdown, with non-essential shops reopening on 15th June.
The Government has released details on the Fix your Bike Voucher Scheme and how to register as a bike repairer. The scheme allows members of the public to receive a voucher worth up to £50 towards the cost of repairing a bike. The vouchers can only be used with bike repair businesses that are registered for the scheme.
Schwalbe has launched a volunteer programme to assist retailers with a surge in business, particularly for service and repairs. Velotech Cycling is set to restart training of cycle mechanics at its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters from 27th July.
BikeBiz reached to bike shops as lockdown began to find out how they have responded to the ongoing crisis, with Beyond Bikes, Arragon’s Cycle Centre, Dave Mellor Cycles, Pennine Cycles and Balfe’s Bikes sharing best practice. Read the full feature from the May/June edition of BikeBiz here.
Earlier this month, Halfords confirmed plans to close up to 60 stores and garages, saying in a statement that “COVID-19 has materially changed the retail outlook for the coming months and has overshadowed Brexit as the emerging risk.”
The digital edition of BikeBiz May/June looks at how the industry has adapted to COVID-19, including the Mayor of London’s Streetspace plan, CIE’s virtual 2020 Summit and the rise of indoor cycling. The digital edition of BikeBiz July looks at how COVID-19 will impact high streets and the way we travel in the UK.
Local Bike Shop Day 2020 is now taking place on 5th September, after being postponed following a retailer vote.
Below is a list of the latest events that have been cancelled or postponed:
Prudential RideLondon 2020 – cancelled, virtual event taking place from 15th-16th August
Sea Otter Classic 2020 – cancelled, virtual Sea Otter Play taking place in September
Tour de France 2020 – rescheduled to 29th August-20th September
Ebike Summit 2020 – rescheduled to 8th September
Sea Otter Europe 2020 – rescheduled to 25th-27th September
Eurobike 2020 – rescheduled to 24th to 26th November, Eurobike Media Days cancelled
Taipei Cycle Show – cancelled for 2020, 2021 event taking place from 3rd-6th March
The London Bike Show – cancelled for 2020, 2021 event taking place from 5th-7th March
The Cycle Show – cancelled for 2020, 2021 event alongside the London eBike Festival taking place from 16th-18th April
OutDoor by ISPO – cancelled for 2020, 2021 event taking place from 20th-23rd June
Aseanbike – cancelled for 2020
Bespoked – cancelled for 2020
European Outdoor Summit – cancelled for 2020
GT Bicycles Malverns Classic – cancelled for 2020
Mountain Mayhem – cancelled for 2020
North American Handmade Bicycle Show – cancelled for 2020
Philly Bike Expo – cancelled for 2020
Tour of Britain – cancelled for 2020
Vélo Birmingham and Midlands – cancelled for 2020
Back in March and April, the following companies issued updates on their operations during the outbreak:
– Chicken CycleKit
– Extra UK
– Greyville
– Hotlines
– i-ride
– Magura
– Moore Large
– Saddleback
– The ACT
– Weldtite
– Windwave
– ZyroFisher
Read the July edition of BikeBiz below:
