OPINION
The next growth opportunity could be closer to home
By Dominic Langan R
ecently, I was in the Netherlands celebrating Basil’s 50th anniversary. From one customer’s request for a wicker child seat, the business has grown into
a global brand helping people make their bicycles more useful and create more cycling joy. It was a reminder that an idea does not have to be complicated to have lasting value. Sometimes it starts with listening to what somebody needs. A few weeks earlier, I had been in Taichung
for the annual bike week, where the atmosphere felt noticeably quieter. Alongside the widely reported difficulties at Accell, it made me think about where our industry finds its next chapter of growth, and I’m pretty sure it will not come from yet another wheel size! We have spent plenty of time discussing stock, discounting and recovery in previous articles. Those issues matter, but so does asking where future demand will come from. The contrast stayed with me. Here was a business
celebrating half a century of solving everyday problems, while much of our industry is wrestling with how to move forward. I am not saying one anniversary provides all the answers. However, it does raise a useful question: are we paying enough attention to what would make more people use a bicycle? The latest National Travel Survey reports that 70% of trips made by people living in England are under five miles. That covers all modes of transport, not just cars, but it
demonstrates how local much of our travelling is. For journeys over a mile, the car remains the most common choice. There is clearly an opportunity, although distance alone does not make a journey suitable for cycling. Meanwhile, the RAC reported on 2
October that diesel had passed £2 a litre for the first time. The cost of driving gives households another reason to reconsider some journeys. Replacing a car trip can save fuel and potentially parking charges. It will not remove the fixed costs of owning the car, but regular savings can still make a difference.
Consumers are already demonstrating an appetite for
cycling. CoMoUK’s latest operator figures report over 63 million bike-share journeys across the UK over 12 months, up 29%. That is a substantial number of journeys. People are choosing bicycles to get somewhere without necessarily choosing to own one. As a trade, we should be asking how we make ownership an attractive next step for more of them. We cannot assume buying is better for every shared-bike
user. Some will value being able to finish their journey and leave the bicycle behind. Ownership brings questions about cost, storage, theft and maintenance. For regular riders, however, a bicycle suited to their needs and available whenever they want it could be a compelling proposition. Test rides, honest comparisons of ongoing costs, practical security advice and reliable servicing support can all help. Equally, telling people they could save money by cycling is only the beginning. If the route feels dangerous, there is nowhere secure to park, or they cannot carry their shopping, the car keys will still win. A short journey on a map can feel very different when you have children with you or a busy junction to negotiate. This is where the Basil story becomes relevant. Shopping
was the most common journey purpose in the survey, ahead of commuting. Carrying things is a fundamental part of transport. A well-designed basket, bag or mounting system can change what somebody feels able to do with their bicycle. These products deserve a place in the conversation about getting more people riding.
www.bikebiz.com November 2026 | 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
