Local bike shops could soon see more demand as fuel prices get higher. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

More Bike Sales?

Rise in gas prices a double-edged sword for local bike shops

Mar 9, 2022 | 4:00 PM

With prices at the pump rising, you may have heard friends and family members grumbling about buying a bike being better than having to regularly fill their car with gas. For local bike shops, this is a bit of a mixed blessing.

On the one hand, a rise in demand for bikes and other methods of active transport could soon be on the way. On the other hand, the rise in fuel costs impacts every business at some point.

“Time will tell, I guess,” said Mike Horn, owner of Fresh Air Experience in Prince Albert. “I hope people turn to bikes as an alternative method of transportation. We’ll see.”

The online chatter about switching to bikes hasn’t quite reached Horn’s ears yet but that may have something to do with the wintery weather. After all, with snow all over the streets and sidewalks, some people may still be reluctant to give up the comfort of a car.

“I think once we get into springtime, people will definitely be finding alternative ways to get to work or to get around the city,” said Horn. “We’ve seen a huge increase in E-bike sales, people looking for E-bikes to do a longer commute or deal with a little more time in the saddle.”

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Winter weather aside, Horn said he thinks Prince Albert is relatively well constructed for bike travel. The number of hills might make some journeys tough, but a few of the trails for getting from place to place make things a lot simpler.

“The Rotary Trail is an excellent means for people to get on and travel safely,” said Horn. “One of the biggest factors in the limitations of people deciding to ride a bike to work or to the grocery store is places to safely and securely lock up your bike. We see a huge amount of bike theft in our province and in our city. That, I think discourages some people from taking a risk.”

In some ways, the last two years have been good for bike shop owners as interest in cycling has risen with other activities hampered by the pandemic. In other ways, however, it’s led to some hard times and a rise in the price of fuel is only going to make the prices of parts and bikes rise further.

“There’s been a lot of demand in the bike world even prior to these rising fuel costs,” Horn said. “The biggest thing will be the supply chain because in the cycling world that’s been one of the biggest challenges is getting bikes in the store for people.”

Horn added the rising cost of bike parts is less than likely something that could potentially happen due to rising fuel costs and more something that has already happened due to supply chain issues during the pandemic.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP