Shops are running out of bicycles as lockdown sends sales surging
AN 80pc-plus surge in bicycle sales sparked by the Covid19 pandemic lockdown has left bike shops struggling to secure supplies.
Outlets have been desperately trying to secure supplies from China, UK, US, the Netherlands and France as some stores have run out of new bikes, such has been the explosion in interest.
Supply chains were hit by the fact many major bike factories in China, the US and Europe temporarily closed because of pandemic restrictions in their countries.
Justin Walsh, owner of Cyclezone in Dublin 15, has sold every last bicycle in his store.
While he is keeping business ticking over with repairs, he is eagerly awaiting news that factories are back making bikes and distributors are sending them his way.
“It’s completely gone through the roof,” he said. “The unfortunate thing is no bicycles are available anywhere in the world because all of the factories that produced the bicycles have closed.
“I sold my very last bicycle yesterday, so I’m hoping to get stock in two weeks but nobody knows.”
Brian O’Donovan of Kilgrew’s Cycle Shop in Cork said he had been taken aback by the massive increase in demand for bicycles in recent months.
Hesaiditwasclearthat people were looking to get more exercise since the lockdown restrictions were introduced.
“Bikes are apparently the new toilet paper,” he joked. “I have never seen anything like it.
“New bike sales have been incredible over the past two months and we have never been busier for repairs.
“Stores generally support each other when it comes to supplies and parts.
“But the pressure on supplies for new bikes has been incredible.”
While sales of children’s bikes have soared, the major spending has been on adult bikes.
“Bikes range on average from between €500 and €1,000 right up to around €10,000 or more,” explained Brian.
“The Bike To Work (BTW) scheme has also helped with sales.”
Under that initiative, workers can avail of the BTW programme to obtain tax-free bikes for travel to their place of employment.
Repair shops, he said, had never been busier.
Greenways
Brian said a lot of people were only now discovering the work done over the past decade to develop cycle paths and greenways.
“Here in Cork you have great opportunities to cycle in the marina and out from the city to Curraheen.
“Our shop is in the city centre so a lot of our business is from families and workers in the major city factories for whom cycling is a great exercise and leisure outlet,” he added.
Terence McGinnis, owner of TMG cycles in Skerries, north Co Dublin, said all bike shops around Ireland were reporting the same issues.
“Every shop is struggling to get bikes and tyres and tubes,” he said.
“The cheaper bikes are walking out the door,” he added.
And while he is also struggling to keep up with the demand, he said even second-hand bikes were hard to come by as people fixed up their old bikes.
“I know there is a serious
demand. Everybody wants to get out.”
His shop is also experiencing its first waiting list for repairs.
Before the pandemic, bike repairs could be done in 24 hours, he said.
Waiting
But now there is a two to three-day waiting list.
But the good news is he is not aware of bike shops increasing their prices in response to the increased demand.
“The prices seem to be staying the same,” he said.