Guardian article about the collapse of the British Cycling Boom

[oldwheels]

I'm on that path quite often and have been since I returned to cycling, and I've never seen a youth on a motorcycle once on it.

To be fair, I think I may have a picture of the couple who got confused as they came out The Lodge on the Loch, and drove down the path for a couple of miles before becoming jammed between a stone wall and the armco barrier.

On further thought the bit about teenage motorcyclists came from a teen age motorcyclist who has a bike on private land as he has no license. Seems sensible enough and not a tearaway.

 

[BrumJim]

This is a very coherent response. Are you sure you are in the right place?! ;-)

What is perhaps an.additional thought though is whether there is a correlation between successfully staged elite events and mass participation in sport. Football would suggest there is, or is that cultural. But I think the Olympics and Commonwealth Games have shown that participation doesn't necessarily go up (despite there being selling points when bidding)?

Wasn't the problem with TdY strongly lined to the rise and fall of Sir Gary Verity?

 

[mustang1]

I have not read it.

But just like I don't need to watch formula 1 before I use a car, so cyclists don't need an interest in bike racing before they use a bike, ya know, for practical reasons.

These days, and in fact for some time, I have seen a far greater proportion of cyclists using hybrids, cargo bikes, folding bikes, various types of e-bike. There are a lot fewer drop handle road bikes that I see on the commute.

So I guess a lot of people do not care about bike racing but incorporate cycling a s a practical addition to going about their business.

Coupled with the fact that The Grandad are doom mongerers, I see zero stories here.

 

[UphillSlowly]

The Guardian has published a couple of responses to the Jonathan Liew article here

(One is about the elitist nature cycling clubs, the other about the demise of non-elite racing)

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I've just read that a local cycle indie shop is closing it's doors after several years.
I've also read other industry articles about over-supply of bikes and other industry financial issues and closures.

Perhaps the physical LBS is just a victim of online competition, or that there is generally a decline in the sport ?

Can anyone offer any insight into what is happening in the industry in the UK as a whole ?

 

[Drago]

We're a nation of charity shops, estate agents, and call centres, with the odd foreign food specialist supermarket thrown in.

Anything else people buy online, where its cheaper. We're doing it to ourselves with our buying habits.

 

[Cycleops]

Already covered pretty comprehensively here:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/g...-collapse-of-the-british-cycling-boom.296097/

 

[wiggydiggy]

I've just read that a local cycle indie shop is closing it's doors after several years.
I've also read other industry articles about over-supply of bikes and other industry financial issues and closures.

Perhaps the physical LBS is just a victim of online competition, or that there is generally a decline in the sport ?

Can anyone offer any insight into what is happening in the industry in the UK as a whole ?

Depends on what I need.

My most recent bike pruchase (just ordered) is something I have no experience in so I went to a more specialist shop, got excellent advice and we've ordered. Shop also offers a full refund if we're not happy so they are obviously confident if we don't want it (I'm sure we will!) they will be able to sell it anyway.

My most recent bike part I wanted to try a LBS some friends recommended, excellent service - they asked if I wanted new or second hand (guaranteed) and I happily took a second hand part and I'll be going back to them later this year for a full bike service.

My most recent bike clothes is online, this is as sadly (and I don't blame LBSs for this) they don't stock neither should be expected to stock a big enough range of stuff to browse. Plus what I ordered is repacing like-like something I have already.

Lastly I have noticed in my own LBS (which I rarely visit) they have moved a cafe into the shop, I'll definately be stopping by more now as at the very least coffee and cake after a ride is good, plus I might spot something I want.

I think for me if it is better for me to go to a shop I will, online is convenient and often cheaper but there are pitfalls - delivery has to be to me when I in or a collection point, I loathe and avoid couriers that use safe spaces or neighbours as dumping grounds. Plus my Amazon Prime recently expired and I'm not renewing so I lose the convenience of ordering and just returning for refunds no questions asked.

 

[Jody]

We're a nation of charity shops, estate agents, and call centres, with the odd foreign food specialist supermarket thrown in.

Anything else people buy online, where its cheaper. We're doing it to ourselves with our buying habits.

Don't forget the high street bookie/pawn shop combo.

 

[Sharky]

There have been a few traditional bike shops which have closed in our area. One where the manager/owner had been in business since before 1970. I bought a frame from him in 1970. I suspect that the owner just reached retirement and wanted to "realise" his pension.

I've also seen a couple of shops springing up, offering servicing, rather than bike sales, and these seem to be doing well.
And I've also seen a "Ribble" shop, opening in our "posh" shopping centre and only selling mega expensive bikes to the customers that have deep pockets. Don't think you could buy traditional bike parts, such as an inner tube from them!

 

[Drago]

Eventually Amazon will be the onky retailer in the world.

 

[Cycleops]

Eventually Amazon will be the onky retailer in the world.

Never heard Jeff described as an onky before.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Touch wood, the independent bike shops around here all seem to be doing ok from what I can see. There’s been a big increase in the number of expensive bikes in use and their owners seem to be mostly reluctant to do repairs and maintenance themselves, me included ! Whenever I take the bike in they always seem to be busy. Although I assume their overheads must have increased substantially in the last year.

 

[Windle]

Eventually Amazon will be the onky retailer in the world.

Which I suspect is exactly what Amazon wants.

 

[derrick]

All locai bike shops have gone round this way, all we have is Halfords
Everything i buy is online.