CIN Podcast: On raising the profile of bike workshop mechanics
The fate of the bicycle workshop is inextricably linked with the cycling industry as a whole: Bike workshops and the mechanics that work within them have long been viewed as a vital part of the trade, but anxiety about attracting and retaining talent, providing liveable income for mechanics and on the increasing expertise required of technicians are sizeable concerns for the viability of this vital cog in the bike industry machine.
The latest CIN Podcast tackles this topic and more, with regular host Sean Lally speaking with the vastly experienced Mark Barfield from Velometier – a former Technical Manager at UCI who has also worked with British Cycling and British Triathlon.
Barfield has founded the European Association of Professional Bike Mechanics (EAPBM) to represent and lobby on behalf of bike mechanics.
“I have been exposed to different types of training and approaches to the industry. I have seen some really good people enter the industry and stay, while I have seen some really good people leave. Fundamentally there has been no one really representing the bicycle mechanics.
“There’s been nobody making the case for or representing the bicycle mechanic. I think they are under-represented and almost one of the most important cogs in the entire system. The bicycle mechanic does the final check on any bike that goes out the door… regardless of the brand or whoever sold it, they are responsible for that. In an increasingly online world, they will be the main touch point for a lot of consumers.
“I want to embrace the self-employed mechanics. You don’t have to be full time. There are plenty doing 2-3 days a week, maybe semi-retired… they still deserve representation and to be proud of what they do.”
Salary and wages in the UK are a big challenge, Barfield addresses: “Yes, but you can only really ask for better wages if you are adding value to a business. There are a huge amount working for small organisations… to be paid more they have to help the business generate more income.
“Not everyone is capitalising on the resource they have in a workshop and using it as a profit centre. Some shops see it as a ‘have-to-have rather than a profit generator in its own self.”
“One important angle is that a lot of people leave the profession because it doesn’t pay enough. There are a lot of self-employed mechanics… [for them to hear] different ways to generate incomes – that is something that sits within the objectives of the EAPBM organisation… We want to highlight the businesses that are thriving, that are service-focused and are employing people with reasonable wages.
“Trying to help business owners or self-employed people to generate more profit from their business is a good thing.”
Barfield brings insights into the bike workshop sector from Europe and emphasises there are things that workshops can implement into their own businesses to increase profit.
Raising the profile of the bicycle mechanic
Sean posits the argument that the growth of eBikes is an opportunity for shops to jump on a different workshop business model.
Barfield says: “EBikes are bringing in new consumers to the bike shop. We had a customer complain their bike, after a service, wasn’t spotlessly clean. When you take a BMW for a service it comes back clean… so now our full service includes a basic clean. More consumers are used to the BMW service experience and the eBike fits into that category. Their screen said it needs a service so they bring it in. It is a different consumer. They spent a lot of money on the product but have high expectations of what service will deliver.”
Barfield’s plan is for the EAPBM to hold information and release to members, to work with the governing bodies and industry bodies. And ultimately to raise the profile of the bicycle mechanic.
“Bike shop owners are probably mechanics or are interested in the workshop. Maybe they’re not always sure how to capitalise on it best…”
“The size of this challenge means the EAPBM needs to be bigger than me. I would love to start this and hand it over to a board but [right now] it needs doing, there is a demand for it, even if some parts of the industry don’t realise it. Let’s start this journey of a 1,000 miles with one step. It’s a long old road, but it is worthwhile starting.
Barfield also spoke on a previous CIN Podcast about bike safety and standards.
Mark Barfield can be contacted at [email protected]
CIN also welcomes comments on the topic, via [email protected]
