B.C. bike shops bursting with stock as pandemic supply chain issues ease - Action News
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British Columbia

B.C. bike shops bursting with stock as pandemic supply chain issues ease

During the pandemic, the demand for bikes was high and supply chains were interrupted. Now, bike shop owners say it's a buyer's market in B.C.

Late deliveries of 2022 bikesand an early arrival of 2023's stock have created a buyer's market this spring

Two cyclists ride along the Stanley Park seawall in Vancouver, B.C.
Bike shop owners say it's a buyer's market in B.C. now that supply chains have recovered. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

If you're in the market for a new bicycle,now is an ideal time to score a deal, bike shop ownersin British Columbia say.

During the pandemic, demand for bikes soared and so did prices as people sought out activities while stuck at home andsevered supply chains meant supply was limited.

Now, those supply chains have resumed and prices are dropping as shops contend with an overflow of stock.

"COVID just scrambled everything," said Andrea Smith, owner of Sidesaddle Bike Shop in Vancouver.

Smith said late deliveries of 2022 bikescombined with an early arrival of 2023's stock have created a bike boom this spring,which isthe most popular time for purchases.

A man wearing blue pants and a blue fleece pull-over rides a red and black bike through downtown Vancouver. The cyclist is in clear focus while the city landscape is blurred in the background.
A cyclist cruises through downtown Vancouver in April 2021. In the past three years, demand for bikes has skyrocketed and shop owners say they finally have the supply they need to serve that pent-up demand this spring. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

In March 2021, Sidesaddle could not keep up with demand. At that time, customers callingthe store would hear a message warningit was getting more than 400 customer inquiries a day.

Now, the shop is crowded with inventory.

"What are we supposed to do with all these bikes?" said Smith during an interview on The Early Edition on Wednesday.

Bicycles provided an outdoor activity at a time when COVID-19 travel bans and lockdownsmade staying indoors either suffocating or dangerous. Health officials were recommending outdoor activities, such as cycling.

Ken Maude, owner of Lynn Valley Bikes in North Vancouver, said he was only able to fill 40 per cent of the 150 customer deposits paid to the store last spring.

Now, he says potential bike buyers have a far better chance of getting a discounted bike because not only does his shop still have a lot of 2023 stock, but next year's stock is also right behind it.

Maude said this year's bicycles will likely go on sale sooner rather than later as 2024's inventory is expected to slam shops before September.

"There is an opportunity for the buyer,' said Maude, also speaking on CBC Radio.

With files from The Early Edition and John Mazzerolle