Taipei Cycle Combines Physical and Virtual Expos For First Time

Taipei, Taiwan One of the world’s biggest B2B cycling gatherings, Taipei Cycle, is preparing to go ‘hybrid’ in March, combining physical and virtual exhibitions for the first time. The annual expo has been held exclusively as an online event for the past two years after the COVID pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 and…

Signs of the Times

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.

Welcome to 2022! Here’s Why I’m Still Optimistic…

Crossing the Sandy Creek Bridge on the High Country Rail Trail, Victoria

Wollongong, NSW Welcome to this brand new year called 2022. I hope you were able to have at least some holiday time over the New Year period. I’ve just returned from three weeks of travelling through the back roads of NSW and Victoria. Holidays are always a good time to learn, reflect and set yourself…

COVID Sales Boost Hits Second Wave

Many cycling newcomers who made hasty purchases because of COVID are now looking to upgrade to bikes more fitting to their needs, according to Bicycles Plus owner Robert Thompson.

Sydney NSW Australia’s COVID-induced surge in bike industry sales is entering a second wave, with many cycling newcomers ready to step up their equipment, according to industry veteran Robert Thomson from Sydney store Bicycles Plus. Robert said he was starting to see a surge of buyers keen to upgrade to bikes more fitting to their…

COVID Assistance for Businesses and Individuals

COVID 19 rapid antigen testing looks set to stay for businesses in Australia for some time.

Canberra ACT The challenges of operating a business in a world grappling with COVID have spilled into a new year.  Fortunately, pandemic assistance is available to businesses and individuals in most states of Australia.  For individuals, most states and territories have ongoing individual support packages for people who are positive with COVID and unable to…

CEO Reveals SRAM’s Pandemic World

SRAM CEO, Ken Lousberg

Chicago, Illinois, US Demand has skyrocketed for SRAM products during the COVID pandemic, with increases of 100% or more for some lines, the company’s CEO, Ken Lousberg, has revealed in a recent CyclingTips Nerd Alert podcast. Ken disclosed that SRAM’s production capacity has also escalated sharply, more than doubling for a number of its products.…

TEBCO Highlights Supply Nightmare

TEBCO showroom

Melbourne, Victoria Australia’s leading manufacturer and importer of electric bicycles has offered insight into the massive supply challenges currently confronting bike distributors. TEBCO this week issued an update to its customer retailers on shipping delays as a result of the COVID pandemic and consequent shortfall in containers and shipping services. The company has more than…

10 Tips to Help Your Store Through Lockdown

COVID lockdown shop sign

As we compile this article during the second half of August 2021, more bicycle shops in more states and territories face tougher restrictions than at any time since the start of Covid restrictions in Australia 18 months ago. Here is a brief summary, focusing only on the restrictions specifically related to the bicycle industry. In…

Bike Supply Won’t Fully Recover Before Mid-2021 – At Best!

A lengthy article recently published in the USA trade magazine Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) is a sobering reality check for bicycle dealers around the world. Factories across China and Taiwan are not suffering from shut-downs due to Covid-19. They’re open and running at full capacity. But the problem is that even maximum factory…