Bike sales increase during COVID-19 lockdown

It’s one of the few activities fitness lovers can legally take part in during Victoria’s lockdown, and cycling is proving so popular bike stores have reported a spike in sales as families hit tracks across Melbourne. What is the right bike for you?

Bike sales have increased while Victoria has been in lockdown.

Bike stores have reported a spike in sales as more people hit Melbourne’s cycling tracks during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Bike riding is one of the few activities permitted under Victoria’s strict lockdown laws.

Cycles Galleria regional manager Billy Muling said sales had been going “really strongly” at its suburban stores, and many people were also bringing in their older bikes for repairs.

He said the workshop service centre had seen the biggest increase in customer demand across the business, and more staff had been hired to help out with the workload.

“Bike riding is being promoted as something that is acceptable so as a result people are able to do that, and we’re seeing a huge number of people come through with bikes they haven’t ridden in say the last five years,” Mr Muling said.

He said a lot of families were buying bikes, as well as people who had been thinking about buying their “dream bike” for many years and finally had time to do it.

“We’re also seeing partners wanting to ride together instead of being locked inside so it’s pretty cool,” he said.

For those considering buying a bike, Mr Muling said the Trek Dual Sport model was designed to do a bit of everything.

“The biggest request we have is from people wanting to go out riding with families and have something that does everything, and the Dual Sport … works really well, it’s good for families, good for beginners, good for people wanting to ride bike tracks,” he said.

Three models range in price from $600, $800 and $1000.

“Then if you want that plus-$1500 price range Trek again has a model called Checkpoint which is more of an urban road bike,” he said.

He said the Marlin model was pitched more at children moving from kids to adult bikes, with a price of $530.

Mr Muling said electric bikes were also growing in popularity.

“They’re popular with people who want to ride into work every day, go exploring and want to go further,” he said.

“And for people who just like the idea of being on a bike and being able to turn up without having to get changed out of sweaty clothes.

“Electric is massive it’s incredible how many of those we’re actually selling.”

Mr Muling said bike riding was easy and fun.

“You don’t need to drive anywhere, Melbourne is so well-equipped with bike paths and tracks people can mostly get on to a track within five or 10 minutes of their house and then be somewhere safe.”

He said riding on the roads was also a lot safer at the moment due to the decrease in traffic.

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Reid Cycles customer service and project manager Xavier, who didn’t want his surname used,

said its sales had “dramatically” increased during the lockdown period.

“People are restricted from other things and this is something that is permitted and is one of the few physical activities you can do,” he said.

“It’s something you can do on your own, safely in pairs or as a family.”

A new Bicycle Network study of more than 1000 Australians has revealed a massive surge in the frequency and number of people using their bikes to move around in response to COVID-19.

Nearly three quarters of those surveyed said they would use their bike more or continue to go for regular rides while current restrictions were in place.

Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards said cycling was a simple solution to a complicated problem.