More People Are Buying Bicycles & Even Durian Sellers Are Selling Bicycles

The Covid-19 pandemic is a serial business killer.

Companies all over the globe have had to shut down operations due to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, even after retrenching employees and implementing other cost-cutting measures.

But, surprisingly, one particular business seems to have been helped by the pandemic.

More People Are Buying Bicycles & Even Durian Sellers Are Selling Bicycles

The bicycle business is booming.

More people are buying bicycles nowadays, not just to exercise after several days of binge-napping, but also as a mode of transport.

This unexpected rise in bicycle purchases is so sharp that some bicycle shops are running out of stock, according to The Straits Times.

One bike shop owner who spoke to ST said his sales have increased by 30% this year, and that he has “never sold so many bicycles before.”

“For example, Mustafa, which used to take one or two bikes from me a week, now orders 14 a week”, he said.

Some bicycle shops are also raising the prices of their products simply because they’re in short supply.

Secondhand Brompton bicycles, for instance, is listing bicycles which cost around $2,500 for as much as $5,000 to $8,000.

Other retailers have increased their prices by as much as 40%.

According to another owner, even some durian sellers and phone cover sellers are now selling bicycles.

When people who sell durians – the only thing a Singaporean loves more than bubble tea – switch to the bicycle industry, you know there must be a good reason for it.

So, what the heck is going on here? Why are so many people buying bicycles all of a sudden?

Covid-19 & PMDs

One reason is that many residents are choosing bicycles as a mode of transport so they can avoid crowds on public transport during the pandemic.

Others are using bicycles to exercise because they’ve shifted from group leisure activities to solitary ones.

Why play badminton with your friends when you can burn the same amount of calories on your bike without the risk of contracting Covid-19?

Another reason is the ban on PMDs on most public paths, which has led some users to switch to bicycles and others to E-bikes.

Bicycle Boost in Other Countries 

This phenomenon isn’t just happening in Singapore, of course. Many other countries are seeing a boost in bicycle sales amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Gina Chang, secretary general of the Taiwan Bicycle Association, said that while manufacturers initially saw a decline in sales this year, demand grew exponentially later on.

“We are seeing rush orders or even panic buying,” she said. “Taiwan’s top two bike makers have orders lined up till the end of this year.”

In India, the authorities have advised states to promote non-motorised transport, in a bid to curb transmission of Covid-19.

While it may be hard to abandon the air-conditioned comforts of our buses and trains, it might be a good idea for us to make the switch to bikes, for the sake of our health and family members.