Issue 76 | May 2012
EDITORIAL
EVER KEEN to listen to the market, BikeBiz has launched a new regular electric bike section of the magazine, which you can find on page 33 of this month’s edition. Go on, have a quick peek. Seen it? So now you’re wondering why we’ve gone and created the section?
NEWS 4-5 MYSTERY SHOPPER
Our undercover reporter quizzes retailers in both Andover and Basingstoke on a very wet April’s day...
FOCUS ON…
We’ve the exclusive announcement of a new consumer bike and triathlon show for the north west, as well as the BA’s AGM highlights
Let me explain: While the market isn’t exactly cleaning up in the UK just
10 MARIN AND MINESTONE 15
With a hefty investment from European firm The Minestone Group, Marin is set to begin a new and exciting chapter. More on page 15.
DAVID WEAGLE in association with 13
We give the DW-Link creator free reign in our monthly Chain Reaction column.
VELOBICI: UK MADE 18
We discuss the revival of clothing manufacturing in Leicester with Velobici
E-BIKES Bikebiz now has a dedicated ection for the emerging electric bike market. Flick to 33 for more...
OUTDOOR & FITNESS Sell to, or are curious about the outdoor trade? BikeBiz helps you dip a toe in the market
39 CYCLE TOURISM FOCUS WOMEN PRODUCTS 25 DEALER PROFILE PEOPLE NEW PRODUCTS
BikeBiz’s monthly round up of products new to market, or due to land shortly
47
retail and tourism business Hooked on Cycling, comes under the spotlight this month
43
Clive Gosling joins Marin, Matt Skinner leaves Future plus movements at Felt and Lezyne
52 SPOKESMAN
Carlton Reid argues that local authority run hire bikes are good news for cycle retailers
EVENTS 64 OFF TRACK 76 NUMBER CRUNCHING 74 78 LETTERS
To what extent should bIke shops support ‘The Big Pedal’? Opinions on page 60
SPONSORED BY 55 60 33
yet – and many bike retailers suck their teeth and tut whenever ‘e-bikes’ are mentioned (you might even be shaking your head disapprovingly as you read this), there is – we think – something in the electric market. There are rooms full of head honchos in the bike trade, filled with cigar smoke, drinking more coffee and/or whisky than is good for them and gruff talking at each other, arguing over how to grow the cycle market (and if there isn’t, there surely should be).
“Are we selling to the same bunch of people, preaching to the converted, if you will? If you want to grow a business, or industry, we need to appeal to new customers...”
Innovations in gearing technology, super-light frame
materials and accessories are great for keeping the bike retail space interesting, fresh and lively. But do they actually grow the market? Or are we selling to the same bunch of people – preaching to the converted, if you will? Nothing wrong with that, of course, but if you want to grow a business, or an industry, there must be some thought dedicated to how to appeal to new (potential) customers. On paper, e-bikes should be a boon for the less fit who are
eager to dabble in longer cycle rides and – perhaps more significantly – older generations or the disabled that can find the effort required for cycling prohibitively difficult. Then there is potential cycle commuters unwilling to turn up at work sweaty, and those that live in hilly areas put off by nearby gradients…The list goes on. Sadly, lacking the skills to see into the future, we cannot
predict whether the e-bike market will ever take off significantly in the UK – or should we say more significantly than it already is. But while we’re waiting, we’re dedicating regular space to the market in the hope that e-bikes can fulfil expectations here in Britain. Sure enough, e-bikes won’t force minicab firm bosses to side with cyclists or ensure the government thinks of bikes when it creates new roads, but if those electric marvels can widen the UK cycle market just a fraction, then everyone is, we think, a winner.
Jonathon Harker, Editor
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