Britain’s bike trade keeps on booming
23rd January 2011 Words: Matt Lamy
Latest survey shows cycling popularity is stronger than ever in the United Kingdom.
Earlier this year Project Vélo surveyed people’s spending habits when it came to cycling equipment. Now the results are in, and they’re very encouraging. The headline figure is that the UK bike trade is currently worth £2.15 billion, but some of the smaller details are just as impressive.
One thing we often hear from cycle trade insiders is that Continental bike buyers know about quality and will spend the equivalent of £400 or £500 on an average new machine. Brits, though, tend to buy super cheap. According to Allegra Strategies, which undertook Project Vélo, that situation is on the turn and the average new bike purchased here last year cost more than £350.
That’s good news, as is the report’s finding that a staggering four million bikes were sold in the UK in 2010. Reinforcing the idea of a cycling boom, retail sales have grown by more than 15 per cent in the last year.
In addition, the cycle to work programme has helped bring new people into cycling, with more than half of the people who cashed in their vouchers being novices. Meanwhile, the promotion of cycling as a fitness tool has encouraged more women onto saddles.
And even Project Vélo itself marks something of a high point for bikes in this country. More than 18,500 people responded to Allegra Strategies’ questions, making it the biggest cycling survey ever conducted in the UK.
Contact: Allegra Project Vélo
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
Tweets of the week: Brutal weather at Flèche, an idiot sandwich and is there a new POC helmet?
There's a lot of love for Kasia Niewiadoma, and it turns out Norwegians are good in bad weather
By Adam Becket Published
-
Juanpe López wins Tour of the Alps, does 34 kick-ups with a football
'My coach said to do it for Betis,' says Spaniard of his boyhood football club
By Tom Davidson Published