BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Libération and The Guardian heap praise on Lyon's rent-a-bike scheme which has 1500 digitally trackable bikes, 15 000 registered users and 100 rack locations. The bikes cost one euro per hour, with the first half-hour free. The scheme - operated by billboard and bus shelter company JC Decaux - has been an instant success. 90 percent of the journeys on Vélo'v bikes last less than 30 minutes enabling hirers to speed around the city centre.

Back in May, BikeBiz.com reported that the building of the Airbus 380, the rapid spread of upland wind-farms and the growth in the Chinese economy was leading to a worldwide shortage of carbon-fibre. Most top-end bikes are now made from this 'black gold'. The British boss of Pro-Lite, a Taiwan-based component company, has reported that carbon-fibre supply for next season will be reduced from October by 40 percent.

From 1st September , Oxford plans to distribute its cycle product range exclusively through UK wholesalers. To oversee the move, Oxford appointed trade veteran Martin Sykes in June as cycle sales development manager.

The third annual LG Action Sports Championships will be staged in the Manchester Evening News Arena, October 21st- 23rd. Boasting more than $650 000 in cash and prizes - the largest per-sport purse in action sports history - the LG Action Sports Championships will be attended by Britain's Jamie Bestwick who recently won gold at the X-Games for BMX vert and in the Best Trick competition.

The US Congressman's Energy Bill amendment which will "spur bike use", featured on BikeBiz.com on 1st August, was yesterday given the Presidential seal of approval as Dubya signed off the $14.5 billion bill which incorporates a small but significant $6.25m for a 'Conserve by Bike' programme.