‘Wiggins Factor’ Delivers Boom in UK Bike Sales.
Evans Cycles, the UK’s largest specialist cycle retailer has seen a 35% increase in the sale of road bikes and a surge in visitors to its website in the week following Bradley Wiggins’ heroic triumph in the Tour de France.
The retailer is also optimistic that the increase in sales and interest in cycling will increase as British cyclists including Wiggins step up to the Olympic stage.
A spokesperson for Evans Cycles says: “The success of British riders is inspiring. People see champions like Wiggins dominating the Tour and that’s naturally going to inspire you to get out on a bike. The British team is looking really strong for this year’s Olympics, the anticipation and expectation is there and this definitely has a knock-on effect at grass roots level.”
The last few days have been Evans’ busiest of the year, with increased sales in every region across the UK. Bike sales have shot up across the companies’ broad customer base, but particularly among sporting riders.
The biggest increase bike sales has been at the £700 to £2,000 purchase value, which is around the amount cycling enthusiasts are expected to be spending. Evans Cycles believes many of these consumers have been inspired by the success of Wiggins and the other racers.
Other market influencers include the rise of new riders, often spurned on by the accessibility rides organised such as the popular city ‘Sky Rides,’ and beginner friendly organised RideIt! sportives and off-road routes that Evans Cycles host every fortnight.
The British public are also increasingly using their bikes as a way of getting around. Evans Cycles runs the Ride2Work scheme which allows employees to purchase tax free bikes. The scheme has seen a 20% increase in uptake over recent weeks compared to 2011.
Evans Cycles have put this down to an interest in fitness and environmental concerns, but predicted the coming Olympics would likely increase the number of Ride2Work users and sales of folding bikes, saying: "With the approaching Olympics also comes the potential for, and expectation of, some transportation issues and we’re seeing customers looking to cycling as a way of getting around.”
Evans Cycles is the UK’s leading quality cycle retailer selling road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrid bikes, as well as cycling clothing and accessories. Founded in 1921 Evans Cycles operates stores nationwide along with their ecommerce website www.evansycles.com – where you’ll find the best product from the world’s leading cycling brands including Specialized, Trek, Gore Bike Wear and more.
For more information, email michelle.arthurs@evanscycles.com or call 01293 574 954