GLOBAL CYCLING DEMAND : OUT-PEDALLED

Cycling is booming across the globe, as people seek to avoid crowded buses and trains on their commute in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and get back into shape after long months of lockdown.

But with bicycle sales exploding in many countries, the craze has left manufacturers and retailers out-pedalled by demand.

In Paris, where Mayor Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been working hard to put cycling on the map, vastly increasing the number of bike lanes in recent years, would-be buyers often have to wait weeks for a brand new ride.

''For three or four weeks now, I've had a dozen or so clients waiting. And I've had to return money to a few because I simply have no idea when I'll have bikes for them,'' independent Paris retailer Federico Mosca confessed.

One customer, 31-year-old Nicolas, said he had to visit eight different shops before getting lucky.

Even then, he was forced to bust his budget and buy a more expensive model because the cheaper bike he wanted was sold out. ''I was looking for a specific bike and had given myself a month to buy one, but it's not available anywhere.'' he said.

Leading retail chain Decathlon said it also has waiting lists, but can refurbish second-hand bikes for impatient customers.

French bicycle sales doubled in May and June compared to the same months last year, according to the sporting and cycling federation. Sales are booming in most countries around the world.

Decathlon calculated that in Europe overall sales ''have increased two and even threefold.''

In China, demand has increased fivefold since lockdowns were eased. And in the US, sales of bikes have exploded, with online purchases alone skyrocketing in May by 5,000% over the figure for the same month last year.

Overall US sales, both online and in-store, jumped by 81% year-on-year to $1.2 billion [950 million euros] in May, according to People for Bikes, a coalition of manufacturers and retailers.

Broken Chain

But in addition to runaway demand from the end consumer, lockdown have made it difficult for European and US manufacturers to obtain parts.

The Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry [CONEBI] estimates that 45% to 50% parts for all bikes sold in Europe are imported from Asia.

Moreno Floravanti, secretary general of the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association [EBMA], said the industry has ''lost three months of production of components and our stockpiles were used up in only two months.

Poncho Pimentel, marketing chief for Summit Bicycles, which has five stores in California, said  ''there are shortages everywhere, from bike brands to bike parts.'' Cycling works off a global supply chain that has been interrupted due to Covid-19 and its consequences are being seen in every category,'' he said.

According to CONEBI, 7.3 million bikes and e-bikes were imported into Europe last year, principally from Taiwan and Cambodia.

The world's leading manufacturer, Taiwan-based Giant, saw its European sales increase by 140%  year-on-year in June driven in particular by sales e-bikes. Its order book is full until the first half of next year and it is similarly optimistic for the second half.

However, CONEBI's director general, Manuel Marsillo, said the bike shortage was not as bad some people might suggest.

''There was some shortage because of two months of lockdown, due to the fact that EU production stopped,'' he said. ''But our bike industry is working very hard to fill the gap.

It is a very positive thing that we have so many small and medium-sized makers all over Europe, who are very flexible.

Most EU producers will continue to work also in July and August, so there won't be a halt in the summer.'' [AP]