Coronavirus Gold Coast: Mikes Bikes reports bicycle sales and repairs soaring in COVID-19 crisis

This businessman reports an “insane” spike in sales well exceeding any expectations.

Mike Bikes in Miami. Picture: Jerad Williams

BICYCLE sales and repairs are soaring as Gold Coasters hit two wheels for fitness and to avoid public transport.

Miami-based Mike’s Bikes is flat out after customer demand pumped up sales since the coronavirus pandemic kicked in.

Owner Mark Stout said the family business, trading since 1979, had been inundated with customers with “insane” sales.

Mikes Bikes owner Mark Stout. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We might do two or three (bike) sales a day, but at the moment we are doing a dozen,” Mr Stout said.

“It’s mostly family bikes, not high end, anywhere between $350 and $850.

“We’re stocking whatever the suppliers have. As long as they’ve got bikes, we have bikes. Freight is one or two days behind.”

It comes off the back of a national trend towards cycling to avoid potential contact on buses and trams plus for fitness.

Bicycle mechanic Stefan Sojeci hard at work. Picture: Jerad Williams

And even though many people were investing in a new pushie, Mr Stout said repairs of old bikes were “through the roof”.

“We’ve never been booked out more than four to five days and we’re booked out for 15,” he said.

“Repairs are incredible. One of the boys alone did 10 puncture repairs (on Tuesday).

Mike Bikes are selling about a dozen bikes a day. Usually the business sells about two or three bikes. Picture: Jerad Williams

“They are either getting the bikes out of storage or they are starting to ride more.

“When you ride your bike to get some milk, you might say ‘I’ll just put up with that’ but when they’re planning to ride more, they want to get more things fixed.”