The Health Benefits We are Seeing from the Coronavirus Restrictions
The lockdown restrictions have created a demand for novel ways to exercise and get about.
While COVID-19 pandemic continues, and we all continue to avoid public transport yet try to remain mobile, bicycle retailers across the nation have experienced a wave of new sales, with many seeing customers lining up around the block for hours just to grab a new set of wheels.
Meanwhile, as many retailers suffer trade collapses thanks to the Coronavirus and the restrictions its imposed on our otherwise daily lives, other retailers are overwhelmed by a spike in demand.
The bicycle industry is one of those, which has created the perfect opportunistic excuse to get fit by riding a bike, without worrying about breaching any social distancing rules.
Around the nation, bicycle retailers and repair shops have welcomed the opportunity to continue trading during the lockdown after the government deemed them an essential service beside supermarkets and pharmacies.
With people wanting to jump back on their bicycles, whether for a sense of independence, as a new way to get active or simply to avoid using public transport, bicycle retailers are now experiencing a sudden boom in sales, seeing a healthy outcome from the Coronavirus crisis.
The Case of Retailer “99 Bikes” in Bondi Junction
In Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, bicycle shop 99 Bikes has witnessed a huge surge in bicycle sales during the COVID-19 outbreak, with queues winding out the door over the last several weeks.
Based in Bondi Junction, the queues are partly attributed to social distancing rules, but more significantly, the lockdown restrictions have created a demand for novel ways to exercise and get about.
Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, Bikes 99 sales assistant, Nick Johns, said the last four weeks has been "non-stop".
"We've got people dusting off old bikes, we've had a lot of people who have been thinking about getting a bike for a long time who say they may as well do it now," Mr Johns said.
"We've also had a lot of people spending time with their family which is really good to see, buying kids bikes. We've even had a few families come into and buy all bikes [for the whole family]."
According to Mr Johns, it was clear to see that families are now spending more time together and more people are getting active.
"They've got the choice if they want to get fat and be alcoholics or get fit and love their family, that's how I see it. Sorry I'm blunt," he said.
Across Australia, 99 Bikes has 47 stores. The bicycle retailer is jointly-owned by Flight Centre, Graham Turner – who cofounded the Flight Centre travel agency network – and employees.
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