Bicycle sales over the past two months saw their biggest spike in the U.S. since the oil crisis of the 1970s,

[scout592]

Interesting article which also talks about surge in ebike sales. I knew it had increased, but didn't realize the amount of increase!

Pandemic leads to a bicycle boom, and shortage, around world

Fitness junkies locked out of gyms, commuters fearful of public transit, and families going stir crazy inside their homes during the coronavirus pandemic have created a boom in bicycle sales unseen in decades.

www.ksl.com

 

[Nova Haibike]

Bikes sales would be up even more but demand has outstripped supply. It is not only bikes either. I dare you to find a 26" inner tube or tire right now.

 

[TMH]

Thanks for the link to another interesting article on the current bike/e-bike sales boom.

I especially liked the line " they’re buying bikes like toilet paper ".

It is most interesting as we now wait to see what will happen as bike/e-bike supply (especially value-priced, first e-bikes) catches up with demand. Will sales continue to ramp up, or will folks quickly forget about the pandemic and revert to their previous commute habits.

Toilet paper is now fully stocked on the store shelves I have seen. Supply has definitely caught up (at least in my area) with demand. We were adequately supplied pre-pandemic, so the shortage never hit us. But I still brought the required power into my bathroom and installed a bidet seat on the toilet anyway. And post-pandemic, with TP supplies fully adequate, I'm not going back to the old habit!

 

[Captain Slow]

I knew some parts were hard to come by, but wow did not know it was that hard.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Thanks for the link to another interesting article on the current bike/e-bike sales boom.

I especially liked the line " they’re buying bikes like toilet paper ".

It is most interesting as we now wait to see what will happen as bike/e-bike supply (especially value-priced, first e-bikes) catches up with demand. Will sales continue to ramp up, or will folks quickly forget about the pandemic and revert to their previous commute habits.

Toilet paper is now fully stocked on the store shelves I have seen. Supply has definitely caught up (at least in my area) with demand. We were adequately supplied pre-pandemic, so the shortage never hit us. But I still brought the required power into my bathroom and installed a bidet seat on the toilet anyway. And post-pandemic, with TP supplies fully adequate, I'm not going back to the old habit!

I think they are going to suffer with a lack of sales and we will see a ton of used or not used bikes for sale. few are willing to give up or even drive less. here in portland we are big on cycling but I ahve not seen that many more people cycling for all the sales that are going on.

 

[Captain Slow]

It will be interesting and that could happen. A lot of people are riding recreationally so maybe you don't see them on bikes often but they may keep the bike for quite a while. But maybe not.

I wish more people were buying higher end bikes. That way if they got put on the used market soon I might be able to pick up a deal. But most of what is selling is the low end which I wouldn't be interested in.

 

[Nova Haibike]

I have not seen that many more people cycling for all the sales that are going on.

Here in the D.C. area, I see a LOT more people cycling. I don't think it is going to die down soon, at least for the summer and fall. When the cold weather comes, people will stop riding. But come next spring, it will ramp up again. Only a vaccine is going to get things back to normal.

 

[CdnShaun]

Here in Ontario where I ride a lot of highways I have gone from seeing Zero to 2 other riders on a 100km loop typically to 2-8 other riders on the same loops. The grocery stores in the small towns near I live, and Walmarts come to think of it - have installed bike stands to lock your bike to and I see bikes there all the time, mine included, for when people want to run into town to get supplies.

The friends I have in Toronto who have started riding into the office (a few picked up used e-bikes with my help reviewing the ads and such together) are loving it - but all face the challenge of when the colder weather comes in October thru to April/May. Even I who look forward to winter riding - do so as a form of exercise, not my daily commute. This winter with the combination of the virus still around and perhaps second wave joining the flu season, versus cycling in the winter conditions (example Toronto) will show us a lot and certain it will be shared here in the forums.