BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

The 'exclusivity' deal mentioned by Halfords HQ two days ago on this site is not exclusivity of product, it's exclusivity of demo bikes. Halfords will get one bike per store and will be able to take orders using these display models, but IBDs and Halfords get physical stock at exactly the same time, stresses Raleigh. PLUS: if you got a Christmas card from Raleigh in December, there was a big clue the Chopper was about to be re-launched. Yeh, we're kicking ourselves, too!

Lawrence Cox, the product manager in charge of the Vietnamese-built Raleigh Chopper, is to join Dawes on 1st March. Cox was the only current Raleigh employee mentioned in the Chopper relaunch press release. As 'Loz Cox', his name has been plastered all over the mainstream print media and he's also been interviewed by national radio stations.

Promech has joined forces with Plymouth College of Further Education as part of Plymouth Engineering Group Training Scheme, allowing cycle shops in Devon and Cornwall to access government funding for Foundation Modern Apprenticeships via the Local Learning & Skills Council.

MPs were all in a lather at Westminster yesterday. Tuition fees? The Hutton Report? Nope, a hike in claimable expenses for MPs who choose to cycle to Parliament instead of driving. Ann Widdecombe, the svelte MP for Maidstone said: “If it is 20p a mile for a bicycle, how much for roller skates, how much for a pogo stick, and how much for shoe leather?

Odlo of Switzerland is to cease production of bicycle clothing, citing low growth opportunities.