Weekly news roundup

BikeBiz.com brings you all of the latest cutting-edge cycling industry news as it develops. The site is populated with in-depth features on a daily basis; to ensure that you’re kept completely up-to-date we present to you seven stories you may have missed from the last seven days.

1. Ribbon cut to open Chris Boardman’s bike shop and wind-tunnel

The new Boardman Bikes HQ and concept store in Worcestershire was ceremonially opened today, with the doors opening to the public on Monday. Significantly, it has its own wind-tunnel, and Chris Boardman says this is the "most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my adult life because it’s been a dream of mine for more than seven years and, at last, it’s come to fruition."

Read full story here. 

2. Dutch cyclist-detection test introduced by Euro NCAP for new cars

Safety protocols from the European New Car Assessment Programme will include assessments of cyclist-detection technology, it has been announced. The protocols were developed by the Dutch Ministry of Transport. Euro NCAP board member and senior policy advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Transport Robbert Verweij said: “It was the drive to save cyclists’ lives which inspired the Dutch government to fund a major project which led to the development of a protocol for detecting cyclists. We are honoured that Euro NCAP has decided to add this protocol to their rating scheme."

Read full story here. 

3. Orbea sales at record high

Orbea has reached €28 million in invoicing, which represents a 26 per cent increase over the same period in 2017. In spite of the harsh winter, 2018 is off to a spectacular start for Orbea. The first three months of the year have turned into the best in the brand’s history. The figure of 22 million invoiced in 2017 increased to 28 million this year, representing a growth of 26 per cent. Moreover, these gains have been across the board, in every product category that the brand sells. Comparing this year’s figures to the same period in 2016, shows a 55 per cent increase.

Read full story here. 

4. Cycling UK sets out six simple policy changes for the Government

Cycling UK has set out six key areas of change it believes could be easily implemented and would encourage more cycling and improve road safety for everyone. Launching its ‘Cycling safety: make it simple’ campaign, the charity is asking the Government “why wouldn’t you,” make these changes an immediate priority as part of its cycling and walking safety review. Cycling UK’s campaign is backed by Darrell Martin, brother of cyclist Lee Martin, who was killed after being hit by a driver who was texting at the time.

Read full story here. 

5. ‘Turn graveyards into cycle parks’ – UKIP election candidate

UKIP election candidate Peter Burkinshaw has suggested that graveyards could be turned into cycle parks, and that Cambridge ought to cater more for motorists. Burkinshaw is standing for election in the Cambridgeshire ward of East Chesterton, but he feels no need to curry favour with local cyclists, telling the Cambridge Cycling Campaign that cyclists were a menace to motorists and pedestrians.

Read full story here. 

6. Boardman speaks out on whiplash issue

British Cycling and Chris Boardman have appealed to the government to protect cyclists from proposed changes to the law aimed at reducing the number of fraudulent whiplash cases. The proposals, which would increase the small claims limit for personal injury from £1,000 to £5,000 for all those involved in road traffic incidents, would mean that many injured cyclists would be unable to recover their legal costs. Despite opposition, the government is pressing ahead with its reforms, which are seen as unfair to vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and horse riders, who rarely sustain the whiplash-type injuries being targeted by the bill.

Read full story here. 

7. Source BMX to ramp up international sales with £900,000 expansion plan

Source BMX has secured a £900,000 finance package from HSBC to ramp up its international expansion. The Hastings-based store has also today been awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise. Source was opened in Bexhill-on-Sea in 2003 by brothers Marc and Richard Moore. Richard Moore said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how far our business has come and its further growth potential.”

Read full story here.

Remember to check back regularly for more news and analysis.