Staff-Starved Store Finds Solution as Shop With No Bikes

Bike store interior

Geraldton, WA Northern WA bike store owner Leighton Thomas has received plenty of puzzled expressions in recent weeks, as he outlined plans to reinvent his business as a “bike store with no bikes”. “I’ve never stumped so many people before,” according to the industry veteran of 33 years, including stints as some of bicycle retail’s…

Perth Investor Revives Tiller

Woman standing with Tiller ebike

Fremantle, WA Fremantle e-bike manufacturer Tiller has been rescued by a new investor, Perth company Electro Ventures, Tiller founder and owner Julian Illich announced this month. Julian said the venture will move forward as Tiller 2.0, which will shift the business model to a lease-to-buy model, with weekly payments instead of up-front payment. He said…

Push Begins to Elevate Mechanic Training Rating in WA

Bike mechanic working

Perth, WA A push to increase the status of bike mechanic traineeships in WA has been launched by Bicycle industries Australia. The peak industry group last month submitted an application for intent with the WA Department of Training to get the State’s bicycle mechanic traineeship raised from a Class B classification to a Class C.…

Crank’n Sale as Erik Turns Attention to Events

Man standing with bike

Collie, WA Regional WA bike store owner Erik Mellegers is selling his famously quirky Crank’n Cycles store to focus on spreading the word about the thriving off-road cycling scene in the State’s South West. The one-time theology student has been in increasing demand as a commentator at sporting and community events and will also concentrate…

Tiller Turning to Investors to Save Roadster Project

Two people with a Tiller Roadster e-bike

Fremantle, WA A WA-based premium e-bike developer, Tiller Rides, has opened the door for an investor or buyer to keep its program on track, after the company went into voluntary administration last month amid a series of adversities in the economic climate. Costly production delays caused by Covid restrictions, followed by a tightening financial market,…

Bike Force Clarkson’s 300m Shift for 350m2 Floorspace

Exterior of bicycle store

Perth, WA WA bike store Bike Force Clarkson is enjoying its shift to a much larger premises last month, in a recent succession of change for former owner Tom Austin. The store shifted just 300m down the Key Largo Drive, from what had become a cramped 180m2 store to 350m2 premise with around 50m of…

Bike Mechanic Training Academy Expands into More Cities

Man and woman posing with promotional stand at outdoor event

Perth, WA Bike mechanic training enterprise The Bicycle Academy has expanded its operations into Perth and Auckland, with courses set to start at those centres in July. The academy, established by the bicycle retail and wholesale company Pedal Group and training organisation Industry Graduates, has established training facilities in Perth suburb of Osborne Park and…

Hayden Gives Bike Independents a Sporting Chance

Portrait of Hayden Burbidge.

Perth, WA Experienced sporting goods retailer and wholesaler Hayden Burbidge has further stepped up as a prominent player in WA’s bicycle industry, by signing as the State’s sales rep for The Electric Bicycle Co. TEBCO is one of two brands Hayden has added to his expanding portfolio so far in 2023. The other is Queensland-based…

Tiller Sows Seeds for Greater E-Bike Integration and Innovation

Two men looking at at Tiller Roadster e-bike

Fremantle, WA A WA e-bike manufacturer with ambitions to be Australia’s micromobility answer to Tesla has released its first batch of bikes on the eastern seaboard. The Fremantle start-up, Tiller Rides, has started delivering approximately 50 of its pre-ordered Roadster e-bike up and down the east coast, after previously supplying initial buyers in its home…

Evolution Flourishing With Freedom to Diverge

e-bike at the fron of Evolution Bikes store front

Perth, WA Inner Perth store Evolution Bikes is enjoying newfound independence, broadening its product range and finally pursuing its objective to focus on e-bikes. Established as a My Ride store five years ago, the business underwent a rebrand and major change in focus three months ago. Owner Anthony Hart said launching under the My Ride…