The Bike Collective Introduces Brooklyn to Australia

By Scott Green | 24th February 2022 |
The butted chromoly Lorimer hybrid is among the Brooklyn Bicycle Co. models being distributed in Australia by The Bicycle Collective.

Adelaide, South Australia Prominent US urban bike brand Brooklyn Bicycle Co is partnering with Adelaide-based distributor The Bike Collective to introduce the brand to Australia. The two companies announced The Bike Collective would offer Brooklyn’s most popular models and will start shipping to Australian retailers in late February. Pre-orders are available for each of the…

We’re Hiring a Conference Manager

By Phil Latz | 24th February 2022 |

Wollongong, NSW Following our recent announcement that we’re launching the Micromobility Conference later this year, we’re now looking for an experienced event manager. If you know someone who you think might be interested, please forward them this link to our Media and Events Manager Seek advertisement.

Pushys Purchases Rival Online Retailer BikeBug

By Scott Green | 10th February 2022 |
Pushys will use its acquisition of BikeBug to accelerate its move into high-end bikes, including expanding the BikeBug range to include premium mountain bikes.

Canberra, ACT Canberra-based company Pushys has purchased another leading online cycling retailer, BikeBug, to accelerate its move into the premium market. Pushys co-owner Shane Wolki confirmed the sale – completed on 1st February for an undisclosed amount – included BikeBug and wholesale company FRF Sports, two companies owned by road cycling identity Frank Fortuna. He…

Specialized Introduces Consumer-Direct Sales in Australia

By Scott Green | 10th February 2022 |
Specialized Delivery will offer hand delivery, personalised set-up and the chance to ask questions at the point of delivery, for customers who purchase the bike on Specialized.com. Image: Specialized

Port Melbourne, VIC Specialized Bicycle Components Australia is introducing ‘Ship to Home’ and ‘Specialized Delivery’ options for bikes purchased online. Its announcement of the new services last week came shortly after Specialized confirmed it was beginning consumer-direct sales in the US and UK for non-electric bikes. A spokesperson for Specialized Bicycle Components Australia said Specialized…

BikeExchange Eyes Latin America as Next Focus

By Scott Green | 10th February 2022 |
BikeExchange is planning a strategic partnership with Auteco - the leading distributor of bikes and electric vehicles in Colombia - as part of the Melbourne-based company’s expansion into Colombia and other Latin American countries. Photo - Auteco

Melbourne, Victoria Melbourne-based company BikeExchange has revealed plans to expand its operations in Latin America, outlining the strategy while unveiling a quarterly business update that shows healthy growth for the company in general. During an online presentation for investors and media late last month, BikeExchange Global CEO Mark Watkin said the company would acquire the…

How’s Business? February 2022

By Phil Latz | 10th February 2022 |
Cyclery Northside’s main store in Chatswood NSW. Photo credit: Google Street View.

Australia and New Zealand Welcome to our first How’s Business column for 2022. Now that we’ve gone to twice-monthly newsletters, you’ll only see How’s Business in every second newsletter. With Omicron in full flight when we interviewed these shops in late January, our follow up question this month was, “In what ways has covid been…

Last Chance to Update your 2022 YearBook Listing – Do It Now!

By Phil Latz | 10th February 2022 |

Wollongong, NSW This month is your last opportunity to update your company details for the 2022 Latz Report YearBook and we have a new system up and running to make it easier. We only update Yearbook listings once a year, so please action this opportunity right now! All standard listings are free for any supplier…

Here’s a New Bike Shop With a Unique Flavour

By Phil Latz | 10th February 2022 |
How many other bike shops do you know that combine a giant smiley face on the roof with a Surly sign in solitary splendour?

Tumut, NSW Ian Downing could be described as a long-time, dedicated cyclist who spent many years as an integral part of the Canberra bike shop scene. Due to some personal reasons, he recently decided to have a ‘tree change’ and headed for Tumut, located in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in southern NSW. In…

Which Bike Company is the Most Valuable?

By Phil Latz | 10th February 2022 |
Shimano easily topped the list as the most valuable specialist bike business listed on stock exchanges around the world.

Wollongong, NSW Bike Europe recently published a table – sourced and updated for many years by journalist Jo Beckendorff – of 45 bicycle-related companies around the world that were listed on a stock exchange as at the end of 2021. With so much money flooding into the bike industry, more outside investors than ever are…

Signs of the Times

By Phil Latz | 10th February 2022 |
Cycle Station is a large bike shop in Albury, NSW right on the border with Victoria. This region was particularly badly disrupted during the long border closure, on top of all the other state-wide covid disruptions, so the irony of this large sign facing one of Albury’s busiest roads would not go unappreciated by the locals.

Victoria and NSW Over the Christmas break, my wife and I enjoyed a three week holiday, travelling around NSW and Victoria. Unable to resist visiting at least a few bike shops, I noticed a few interesting signs of the times. Here’s a sample.