Bike sales surge during COVID-19 restrictions, with experts warning drivers to be alert
Sales of bikes have skyrocketed during lockdown, with stores dubbing them the “new toilet paper” as fitness fanatics turn to cycling while gyms are shut. But, with schools set to resume, experts warn of a dangerous downside.
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Melbourne has joined the global spike in bike sales during the COVID-19 lockdown as individuals and families avoid public transport or try to stay fit when gyms are shut.
And while the physical and mental health benefits are applauded, some are now calling for extra vigilance from drivers and extra care from the enthusiastic but novice riders.
One Big Bike in Dandenong owner Brett Rossiter said bikes were “flying out the door”, with more parents buying up as the start of the school approaches.
“We’ve seen in an increase of 30 per cent in sales during the pandemic,” Mr Rossiter said.
“We keep selling out of stock, it’s become the new toilet paper,” he said.
“It’s been great to see so many families riding together now and we’re seeing an increase in sales of children’s bikes as they head back to school.”
It comes as the state’s peak cycling group, Bicycle Network counted people riding bikes on 13 trails in Melbourne last month.
Data from eight trails was then compared with the network’s annual Super Sunday count in November.
A total of 8827 bike riders were counted, showing the total number of bike riders increased by 268 per cent.
However, Maurice Blackburn road injuries lawyer Katie Minogue said the increase in bike riding had led to a surge in inexperienced riders taking to the streets.
“More children and families are also riding on roads and footpaths, adding to the need for drivers to exercise caution from the moment they are reversing from their driveways,” she said.
“We know that children riding bikes can fall into drivers blind spots and be harder to see. Children riding bikes to school on footpaths are particularly at risk from drivers backing their cars out of driveway.”
Avid cyclist Peter Stickland, who was struck by a car that failed to give way to him at a Geelong roundabout last year, has also urged drivers to be alert.
Fit and active prior to his accident, he was on his way home from a ride with a group of friends when the car clipped his rear tyre and sent him flying.
He suffered four broken ribs, internal bleeding from a resultant haematoma, and severe bruising.
After riding home in shock, he was rushed by ambulance to hospital and spent four days in ICU.
“It never should have happened. I was wearing high-vis clothing and my white helmet and had front and rear flashing lights on my bike, so I can’t understand how the driver didn’t see me,” the 74-year-old retired civil engineer and TAFE lecturer said.
“Bike riders and vehicle drivers need to be road safety conscious and respect each other’s right to ride and drive on the road.”
The Bicycle Network has encouraged children to ride to school safely, by using its Give it a Go checklist to make sure bikes were ready to ride.
One of its tips encourages families living further away from schools to make riding part of its daily trip by driving closer to school and riding some of the distance.
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“Part way is OK – by parking the car a block or two away from school you can avoid the busy school car park and still have a nice, achievable bike ride,” general manager of behaviour change Leyla Asadi said.
“Bike riding is a great way for children to play, chat and laugh together without coming into physical contact with each other,” she said.