BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

The Midlands-based Malaysian monocoque bike maker - manufacturer of EP-X and Reef carbon fibre composite framed bicycles, "Some day all bicycles will look like this" - has decided to trim its UK operation. Two out of ten staff remain.

The government’s Commission for Integrated Transport – chaired by bike friendly Professor David Begg – has produced a damning report on the UK’s transport infrastructure. We have the worst traffic congestion in Europe. The answer? More bums on saddles said Sustrans. “Two wheels [are] safer, healthier and more responsible,” said the cycle route construction charity.

"The Unabashed Celebration of the Bicycle." That's how the organisers of California's Sea Otter Classic (March 21-24, 2002) describe their cornucopia of cycling. Covering multiple disciplines, televised nightly and with 50 000 spectators, the Sea Otter Classic kick starts the American cycle race season. Why don't we have such an event here? Is it just the lousy weather?

Tim and Helen Flooks have handed the keys to the famous Rock Shox race support truck to Tyrone Dines and Julia DeSimone. The handover happened at the recent Roc d'Azur MTB event in France. Dines and DeSimone will not just be schlepping all across Europe supporting pro racers, they'll be attending public events such as the Shimano Sleepless in the Saddle enduro and Red Bull MTB events

Two weeks ago Keith Lovell, a former employee of Beaulieu Cycle Hire in Hampshire was spotted in Bideford, Devon. The police would like to speak to him as he's alleged to have stolen 104 bikes, many tools and a great deal of cash from Beaulieu Cycle Hire.