BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

But if the good weather continues, there could be a serious drought on the cards. Of bikes.

Boost the recognition of cycling by handing David Beckham £150 000. That’s the big idea of US-owned PR and political lobbying consultancy Golin Harris Ludgate, called in to make a presentation at yesterday’s AGM of the Bicycle Association of GB. Ian Beasant of Giant had a more down-to-earth idea - £85k could fund a professional roadshow at mainstream public events that attract 1m consumers a year

The BAGB's International Cycle Convention due to be staged in Harrogate in May has lost Saracen because the company is said to have realigned its model launch dates. But here's a list of the other big names confirmed for the event (and some little ones too)...

Diligent research by the BAGB’s deputy president has revealed that there’s an upcoming chance to get VAT on bicycles and bicycle products reduced to 5 percent Europe-wide. Euro treasuries would get less cash but would make up the deficit in other ways.

There’s nothing like a bit of sunshine to make the bike trade feel good about itself. According to one major player, this April’s trading figures will be the best for five years. Yet even without this background of buoyancy and joie de vivre, today’s AGM of the Bicycle Association of Great Britain would have been a corker.