UK Cycling resurgence timed perfectly for Local Bike Shop Day 2020

To mark Local Bike Shop Day 2020, The Association of Cycle Traders and the UK's leading cycle to work provider, Cyclescheme are on a mission to champion the Independent Bike Dealer (IBD).

Local Bike Shop Day 2020 returns on Saturday, September 5th, with a special focus on keeping adults and kids cycling into Autumn.

Research conducted by Cyclescheme, part of Blackhawk Network, looking into the positives of lockdown found that cycling topped the list for hobbies taken up during lockdown (83%).

Of those, 17% who have started riding a bike would never have done so if it wasn't for lockdown, and three quarters of those who have cycled more since lockdown will continue to do so afterwards (77%). A further 12% of the UK is now planning to use cycling as a means of transport to and from work.

Sally Barker, Strategic Lead - Cycling, Sport England said: "Cycling has consistently been one of the most popular ways of keeping active during lockdown and with gyms and leisure centres now back open and most recreational sport back in action, it is important we keep cycling for leisure, fitness and travel.

"Local Bike Shop Day is a great initiative that welcomes everyone, from experienced riders to first-timers, families and children, into the cycling community. This is important as being active has so many benefits and we'd like more families getting active together and establishing healthy habits for a lifetime."

Local Bike Shop Day celebrates independent cycle shops across the UK and is designed to appeal to all cyclists - new and dedicated enthusiasts - with the aim of increasing sales the IBD up and down the country.

Better Health Bikes, East London, who took part in Local Bike Shop Day 2019 had the "busiest day ever with the highest turnover and many new customers." They went on to say that "Local independent bike shops have little voice within national and local news outlets, so this is helping to give IBDs a voice and stay front of mind."

So how are Cyclescheme supporting Local Bike Shop Day?

With an existing network of 1,750 IBDs, Cyclescheme, part of Blackhawk Network, will be providing local bike shops with some great incentives to get involved:

• Providing six IBDs with up to £150 in vouchers to take their staff out. The vouchers will be awarded to those IBDs who have been the most active on social media in the build-up to Local Bike Shop Day.
• Providing a range of Local Bike Shop Day point of sale materials for use in store, including posters, flyers and window stickers - all free of charge.
• On Local Bike Shop Day four lucky customers who request or redeem a Cyclescheme certificate in a participating shop will be awarded a £250 cycling gift card.
• Spreading the Local Bike Shop Day word through Cyclescheme's consumer-facing digital channels and email audience with a reach of c. 200,000 riders.

More details on how each initiative will operate will be published on the Local Bike Shop Day website, emails and social media:

Twitter: LBSDayUK
Facebook: LBSDayUK
Instagram: LBSDayUK

Neil McGuigan Senior Manager Channel Sales at Cyclescheme said "Cyclescheme was born in an independent bike shop, so this awareness day is close to our hearts. As the UK's largest cycle to work provider, over 75% of our sales come from the high street, and the Independent Bike Dealer plays a big part in supporting and spreading the positive word of Cyclescheme."

Sign up now

To get involved, be listed on the Local Bike Shop Day website, download the logo and banners for websites and start to receive dedicated email news and information IBDs can sign up here: localbikeshopday.co.uk/sign-up-now.

Useful links

• Find a shop
  
• Best Small Shops competition
  
• Jobs board
  

If you have any other queries please contact us.