Thursday, 28 March 2024
FeaturedNews

Calling all bike shops – open during Covid-19 lockdown? Get listed on new ACT + BA backed site

The ACT and BA have joined forces to create a new website – www.openbikeshops.uk – set up to highlight bicycle shops that are staying open during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Bike shops are being urged to get their updated details on the site ASAP to benefit from maximum exposure through the site.

Enabling key workers and others who need their bikes fixed for essential journeys, or for exercise, the site has been designed to link them with those retailers and repairers which are open for business  – whether operating by appointment only, or workshop-only, on a deliveries-only basis or a variation. The exact extent of opening will be clearly indicated, so that customers have all the details.

This service is completely free of charge for both users and all retailers, irrespective of ACT or BA membership.

Retailers are encouraged to confirm their opening status ASAP at: www.openbikeshops.uk/trade

This process is quick and easy: most shops will find their contact details etc are auto-completed when they enter their postcode. Then all they need to do is answer one multiple-choice question to confirm their opening arrangements. Opening status can be easily revised later if circumstances change.

Jonathan Harrison, ACT Director, said:

“It is of utmost importance to collaborate during a pandemic such as COVID-19 and therefore the ACT has been liaising regularly with the Bicycle Association to form a unified stance to keep cycling going.

“Shops need to remain open as a vital service for essential workers and so that bikes are kept on the road, and safely maintained, to provide necessary transport & health/exercise options.

“It is crucial however, that any bike shops remaining open are following Government guidelines and are operating responsibly in the interests of customers and their staff.”

Steve Garidis, Executive Director of the Bicycle Association, said: “Cycling is proving its vital strategic role in ensuring that those who must travel to work can do so without having to use public transport. The cycle industry has a key role in supporting this, in particular the bike shops which have remained open to provide essential products and services. This is our small part as an industry in the national effort to tackle Covid-19.

“That’s why the Bicycle Association and the Association of Cycle Traders, as the two cycle industry trade bodies, have worked together to produce this resource, which very simply shows where these shops are and how their services can be accessed safely and efficiently.”

Consumers can simply enter their postcode to see the contact details of confirmed open bike shops in their area.

The service has been set up in collaboration between the two UK cycling industry trade associations, the Bicycle Association and the Association of Cycle Traders. The Association of Cycle Traders is operating the service based around its existing dealer database and map, with the Bicycle Association adding opening data from major brands and its own Trade Network of retailers. Both organisations will work to raise awareness of the service in the industry and to the general public. Both the BA and ACT are among those with Covid-19 resources available for bike shops during the period.