'Buying bikes like toilet paper': Coronavirus causes a surge in bicycle sales
Old bicycles turned to carpool rides
The world is already experiencing new and interesting trends coming up in what is often-described as COVID-era. And in several countries, especially in the United States, one such trend that is being observed is cycling.
In the US, bicycle stocks in the stores of Walmart and Target are getting emptied, and independent sellers are also seeing a huge spike in sales.
In the last two months, bicycle sales in the US saw its biggest jump since the oil crisis in the 1970s, said Jay Townley, who observes cycling industry trends at Human Powered Solutions, reported AP.
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"People quite frankly have panicked, and they’re buying bikes like toilet paper," he added, referring to the panic buying witnessed during the start of the pandemic.
Countries around the world witnessed this trend as public transport remains a threat, increasing coronavirus transmissions.
In Manila and Rome, several bike lanes were installed to accommodate rising interest in cycling, while in London, authorities are seeking a ban on cars from some central thoroughfares.
Bike shop owners in the Philippine capital say demand is more than it was at Christmas. Bicycle sales are booming in Italy due to government incentives, which includes a 500-euro ($575) "bici bonus", offering rebate for up to 60% of the cost of a bike.
However, Townley added that the surging demand has also caused a shortage in the stock as 90 per centof its cycles come from China, which witnessed a production hit due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Experts believe a boom in the sale of cycles can be because of multiple reasons, which include restrictions on public transport, a fitness alternative due to the shutdown of gyms, and keeping children due to stay-at-home orders.
Not just traditional cycles, electric cycles are also getting popular in the times of coronavirus.
Taco Carlier, co-founder of VanMoof, a Dutch e-bike manufacturer, said that since the pandemic began, he is seeing an "unlimited demand", leading to a 10-week order backlog for its commuter electric bikes, which generally used to take a day's time for delivery.
VanMoof's sales rose by 138 per cent in the US and 184 per cent in Britain in the February-April period compared to last year, with significant gains in other European countries.
Carlier said that they have increased their production, but adds, that they still would require two-three months to meet the demand.