Bike Shops Try to Keep Up with Demand
Bike Shops Try to Keep Up with Demand
The nicer weather has many people flocking to their local bike shop. More than 50 percent of Minnesota adults ride a bike once a month according to the nonprofit Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. Statistics show many people biked during the pandemic and experts predict that trend to continue this spring and summer. All the extra pedal power has caused bike shops to be extra busy.
“It’s been full-on since COVID started,” said Pam Sayler, owner of Trailhead Cycling. “It didn’t really let up over the winter months at all.”
A steady stream of customers visited the Champlin store on Thursday. The company says it’s selling bicycles faster than they can build them. Sold signs were tagged on many of the cycles in the shop.
Worker repairs bike at Trailhead Cycling. Some shops have a four-week wait for service.
Getting your hands on that perfect bike will depend on the type. Adult bikes are much harder to find. It pays to do some research before shopping. It could save you a lot of time running around.
“I basically had to look online, searching through company websites or company manufacturers’ websites and which brought me links to various bike shops in the metro,” explained customer Ken Koski.
Some bike shops in the area are having issues when it comes to repairs and parts availability.
“Every bike shop owner and manufacturer I talked to says they don’t think they’ll catch up until this fall and maybe into next year,” said Dorian Grilley, executive director of Minneapolis-based Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.
