IBD FOCUS


Cyclestreet in York


All demand, not enough supply


The past year has presented many challenges for businesses across the cycling industry, facing shortages in supply following unprecedented demand. Rebecca Morley asks bike shop owners how they’ve fared and what things might look like in 2022


L


ooking back at the cycling industry in 2021, one issue that has been particularly challenging across the board is supply – with demand for


bikes and accessories rising so high businesses big and small had to react fast. But as the country slowly recovers from Covid, and we look ahead to a new ‘normal,’ how have retailers coped, and what does this mean for the future? “We are grateful that we are alive and recovering,” says Bikeseven Cycle Service’s Daan van Belzen. “Alas, we lost some loyal customers to the pandemic; both young and older. We grieve for their passing and pray for those left behind. Health wise, we all had one illness or another to cope with


as well as the pandemic. This has affected the efficiency of our service sadly. Buying and keeping adequate stock levels has been a challenge and the whole scenario has adversely affected cash flows. “Having said all that, with a sense of realism we also start the year ahead with a new hope. Bikeseven has always felt to be more than a box mover, our ambition is to translate our enthusiasm for cycling into the potential of new and revived cyclists. That is why we have embraced the e-bike revolution and in line with COP objectives, we believe in getting more folk out on their bikes. We don’t just see it as a gap in the market or a commercial opportunity – we believe cycling changes lives, for good.”


42 | December 2021


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