The coronavirus pandemic has hit every area of our lives. A wide range of businesses are feeling the heat in one way or the other, and bicycle shops are no exception. Although most businesses have reported losses and reductions in sales, a few ones noted that they have experienced a significant improvement in their business.
In view of this, we will consider how bike shops have been dealing with the pandemic.
Huge increase of demand for bicycles during the pandemic
While several non-essential businesses are still struggling with dealing with their businesses during the coronavirus problem, bicycle shops seem to be defying the odds.
This is because many essential and non-essential workers are avoiding the use of public transportation to move their workplaces or even other areas that they need to visit.
Notably, it will be almost impossible to follow social distancing and other important guidelines laid down for dealing with COVID-19. Resultantly, most people are now choosing bikes instead of other transportation modes.
Whenever people need any form of repairs or other help with their bicycles, they often resort to visiting bike shops. Hence, despite COVID-19 and its various challenges, many employees of bike shops remain busy.
In addition to this, people without bikes are also visiting bike retailers more than ever before to buy new bicycles that they will be utilizing for moving around without exposing themselves to COVID-19.
Entry level bikes have been sold out everywhere
Additionally, there is a significant increase in the sales of bicycles, especially entry-level options, which have been sold out in every bike shop you visit.
Lots of people are now using bikes for leisure. Also, the traffic on the road is reducing; therefore, lots of people now consider cycling as a good form of daily exercise to stay active and healthy.
As a consequence, it does not come as a surprise that most bike retailers, manufacturers, and distributors are witnessing an increase in demand.
If you try to look for bikes online you will notice the same thing – most if not all bikes under $1000 are gone. Those with a limited budget are left with three options: wait for weeks if not months for new stock to arrive, look for a used bike on craigslist or buy the frame and parts and build a bike themselves.
Challenges of bike shops during the pandemic
Despite the surge in the patronage of the bicycle shop, there are still certain challenges that they are dealing with. These challenges come from the fear of coronavirus infection. By working on bikes of people, bike shop’s employees are at a high risk of contracting the disease. This risk also extends to their family members.
Therefore, it is important to understand that bicycle shops need to continue important steps that can help their staffs reduce the risk of being infected by COVID-19. Many bike shops are already taking steps in this regard by limiting the number of hours that the customers can visit during the pandemic. Others only take care of the needs of key workers.
Similarly, lots of bike shops are using the one-in, one-out policy, which means that only one customer can come inside their shop at a particular time. Also, gloves, anti-bacterial wipes, and other safety items are constantly used by the workers for protecting themselves from COVID-19.
In conclusion
Overall, the coronavirus pandemic is giving a lot of bike shops bittersweet experience.
