Bikes are ‘flying off the racks’
Shops see record sales during the pandemic
John Jensen, who's worked for more than 40 years on the floor of Johnson's Cycle & Fitness in Wauwatosa, has never seen anything like it.
Lately, he's been in the shop seven days a week. Sure, it's the busy season, but Jensen didn't expect it to be this busy.
“People want to get outside,” said Jensen, who owns the bike shop. “They're tired of being cooped up. They wanna be on the parkways and enjoying the outdoors.”
Jensen hasn't had a chance to look at sales numbers yet, but both he and his staff are working around the clock to repair a large influx of bikes. Other customers are buying new or used bikes as well, meaning his inventory has dwindled, as some bikes are “flying off the racks,” Jensen said.
Many bike shops usually see an uptick in business at the start of spring. But now, some shops are seeing double, or even triple the amount of sales compared to this same time in 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
More people are looking for new hobbies, and with fewer events occurring, biking has become a popular form of recreation.
Social distancing can also be easily followed while on bikes.
Steve Morateck, general manager of Allis Bike & Fitness in West Allis, said he's in the same situation.
He said his sales are likely double of what they were last year at this time, and maybe even more.
He's reduced store hours and has limited the number of customers inside the shop at one time — even locking the door to ensure only one customer is inside at a time.
But even with those measures in place, Morateck said he's having a “record year.”
“It's been a really big spring for us,” Morateck said.
“There's a lot of people who rely on their bikes, not just for recreation, but also for transportation. We have a lot of people depending on us.”
Wheel & Sprocket has locations in Brookfield, Delafield, Fox Point and Franklin. Owner Noel Kegel said he's seeing a twofold increase in sales as well.
They're selling more recreational and kids bikes.
“So, whether that's dusting something off that's in the garage and bringing it in to be fixed up, or if it's buying a new bike, we certainly have seen a spike in demand,” Kegel said.
At a time when other companies are struggling, area bike owners said they're thankful for the business.
Bike owners said they also saw an uptick in business when people started to receive their stimulus checks weeks ago.
But will that uptick continue even after the coronavirus pandemic has settled down?
“I think the question for us is, is this phenomenon going to stick,” Kegel said.
Relief of stress
Bike shop owners agree that biking is a good form of exercise during a time when many couldn't go to gyms or fitness centers.
Kegel said riding bikes has a psychological effect. He said it can reduce stress, provide mental clarity and help with anxiety.
Morateck agreed.
“It does offer people an outlet to go out and enjoy themselves, get some exercise, some stress and anxiety relief, and to get out instead of just sitting at home,” Morateck said.
Jensen also said biking is a relatively cheap form of recreation.
“It's a pretty cheap piece of entertainment is what it is,” Jensen said.