2009 Retrospective: September and October

The focus was on Friedrichshafen in September, with a huge array of product launched and a victory for Karbon Kinetics and Gocycle’s electric bike at Eurobike. September also saw the formation of the British Electric Bicycle Association (BEBA), designed to give the promising sector a boost through education and a commitment to standards protecting retailers.

The month also brought together the unlikely trio of Chris Hoy, Boris Johnson and Kelly Brook for London’s Skyride. Sustrans said Bike It must be expanded to hit targets for children cycling to school, while online cycle retailer Wiggle revealed that it had set its sights on being the leading global online cycling site.

An unfavourable exchange rate led to many holiday makers embarking on ‘staycations’ rather than going abroad – boosting cycle holidays in the UK. September also saw Russell Crowe lay down the biking gauntlet.

Unsurprisingly, October delivered in events, news and announcements like no other month in 2009. The UK’s most significant bike event – Earl’s Court-set Cycle Show – was bigger than ever and housed the first-ever live BikeBiz Awards.

October was also the month that saw the Government further commit to cycling via the Cycle to Work Guarantee. By the end of October over 70 companies from the FTSE 100 had signed up to the cycle-supporting promise. The month also saw mammoth company Dorel add Hot Wheels to its inventory and the trade heard report after report of strong sales from UK firms, including 2pure, Moore Large and BikeBiz Award winner Zyro.

On the other side of the coin, it was revealed that bicycle imports remained down for the country.