BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Transport minister John Spellar gave an unplanned keynote speech at today's Cycling Forum for England, the second such meeting of all the important individuals and organisations involved in UK cycling. He said a joined-up approach to cycling is long overdue and welcomed the positive initiatives originating from the National Cycling Strategy Board for England.

MTBer Craig Binns will be looking after the Sixsixone and Maxm brands.

Sian and Dafydd Roberts, who run the famous café and visitor centre at Coed Y Brenin were served with ‘Notice to Quit’ on March 3rd by their landlord – Forest Enterprise. Coincidentally, Forest Enterprise wants to open a new cafe and visitor centre, run by, er, Forest Enterprise. Chipps at Singletrack magazine has seen red and earlier today launched an email campaign to save the Roberts' pioneering, 10-year old business.

At the end of this month, the Faculty of Public Health Medicine at Nottingham University is hosting a one-day national conference to discuss the links between cycling promotion and health promotion. A pro-cycling leaflet on the health benefits of cycling will be unveiled at the Conference on Cycling and Health. Hopefully, this leaflet will become widely available, including availability through the bike trade

Alongside the original inductees of Charlie Kelly, Jacquie Phelan, Charlie Cunningham, Joe Murray, Tom Ritchey, Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze and others, there are industry names such as Ignaz Schwinn, Keizo Shimano, and profilic journalist Zapata Espinosa. Nominations are sought for the 2003 draught. Those nominated should have been involved with mountain biking for at least the past 10 years, and need not be American. BikeBiz.co.uk has below thrown some names into the ring. Care to comment, or add more?