Fortuna Farewells Retirement to Become Pushys & BikeBug CEO

exterior of bicycle store

Canberra, ACT Last year’s purchase of BikeBug by fellow online bicycle retailer Pushys has taken another twist, with former BikeBug owner Frank Fortuna this month appointed as the new CEO of both organisations. “I’ve stepped in to facilitate the retirement of the founders of Pushys.” The appointment was effective from the first day of the…

Decision Looming on Kitzuma Future

Person loading bicycle into delivery van

Melbourne, Victoria Online retailer BikeExchange has foreshadowed it will soon make an announcement on Kitzuma, the US bicycle delivery service it purchased in December 2022 in the hope their synergies would deliver rapid growth for both organisations. However, BikeExchange (BEX) executive have stated Kitzuma has been “burning a lot of cash” at a time when…

Major Changes to Micromobility Conference & Expo for 2023

Ride Eelectric stall at bicycle expo

Sydney, NSW Major changes have been announced for the Micromobility Conference & Expo, after the inaugural event was held at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse last November. The 2022 event was a collaboration between Bicycle Lane P/L, which owned and ran the Micromobility Conference, and Interpoint Events P/L, which owned and ran the Micromobility Expo. Interpoint…

National Occupations Review Opens Door for Bike Mechanic Training

Two bike mechanics working

Melbourne, Victoria A national classification of occupations and the training they require is finally going to give bicycle mechanics the consideration the vocation deserves, in a full review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) being undertaken during 2023-24, says Bicycle Industries Australia general manager Peter Bourke. He said the Level…

Bike Industry Launches its Own Battery Fire Risk Investigation

Melbourne, Victoria An Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigation into the fire risk of lithium batteries has sparked a deeper review into e-bike batteries by Bicycle Industries Australia. BIA gained a deadline extension for its submission on the ACCC’s issues paper on ways to reduce the “significant” fire and safety risks associated with lithium-ion…

Still a Market for Framesets Only, Says Chapter2 Founder

Man standing with bicycle display

Adelaide, SA Back in the olden days, that this author well remembers, it was virtually impossible to buy a complete high-end bike off the shelf. You would have the frame made by a local hand builder, buy the components through a bike shop and either build it yourself or have your preferred bike shop piece…

Tour Down Under Final Wrap – Great Ideas and Personnel Changes

Baum bike box

Adelaide, SA Every bicycle dealer knows they spend many precious wage hours per year on building bikes. Depending upon the price point and level of assembly required, even working with maximum speed and efficiency it might cost 20 to 30 minutes of valuable labour time per bike. And it doesn’t end there. All of that…

Giant Jumps into Indoor Market with Stages Purchase

Indoor cycle training

Portland, Oregon Giant Group has escalated its presence in the indoor cycling market by investing heavily in one of the leaders in the sector in North America, Stages Cycling Inc. Taiwan-based Giant announced a US$20 million (A$29 million) investment in Stages, including buying 32.5% of the company’s ordinary shares. A statement from Giant says the…

New Recycling Service for Sydney Bike Shops

Two men on street with e-waste and rubber recycle bins

Sydney, NSW A new recycling service for bicycle tyres, tubes, metal and e-waste has been launched in Sydney this month, with 10 retailers signed up as its initial customers. Revolve ReCYCLE started rolling out its collection bins in mid-January and is inviting other Sydney businesses to sign up to its bike shop waste minimisation service.…

Adelaide’s Newest Bike Shop Opens Just in Time for Tour Down Under

Man standing in front of bicycle container

Adelaide, SA Just a week before the first races rolled away at the 2023 Tour Down Under, a new bike shop crossed the starting line. Contour is located on Hutt Street, at the leafy, affluent eastern side of the Adelaide CBD just around the corner from the East Parklands and the former Grand Prix motor…