Doncaster shops hit by bike shortage – with just weeks to Christmas

Cycle shop boss Martin Maltby said his Don Valley Cycles shop on Carr House Road was down to its last three bikes and was not sure when more were likely to return.

It comes as production has slowed right down due to the coronavirus pandemic, while demand soared over the summer at a time when roads were empty of cars and temporary cycle lanes were created.

Mr Maltby, who has run Don Valley Cycles since 1993, said: “Stock is pretty much running out.

"Usually we’d have 30 or 40 bikes in the shop. We’ve got three in now.

"The problem has been that production in the far east of bikes and components pretty much ground to a halt, and that so many bikes got sold in the spring.

"We’ve been trying every supplier since then.

"It is frustrating because every day there are people coming in to enquire about bikes, and Christmas is coming. It will be flat for bike shops.”

In the spring, it was reported that bike sales were booming as people turned to bikes while the roads were quiet. Initially shops were reported that cycles at the cheaper end of the market were selling out – but now they are seeing the same for the more expensive end as well.

He said now second hand sales were booming, altough he did not sell second hand cycles at Don Valley Cycles.

His shop is continuing with its bike repair work in the mean time, he added.

Tristan Finch, who runs Cycle Supreme on Bennetthorpe, said he would usually have over 150 bikes in stock – but said he was currently down to around 30.

He said: “We’ve got a bit of stock, but it’s older stuff. I’m not expecting us to get any more in before Chistmas.

"We’re all right for children’s bikes at the moment, but have very little for adults, with nothing for adults under £1,000.

In September, the Department of Transport reported there were double the number of cyclists on the roads than in 2019.

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