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By Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo For Business
I’ve worked with enough bike retailers over the years to know bike shops are not your typical retailer. Most cycling retailers wear multiple helmets, operating as sales assistants, retailers, bike fitters and even community gatekeepers.
Bike shops are the beating heart of the cycling industry. At Bikmo, we know they need specialist insurance for their specialist business.
We’ve worked closely with Hiscox, our underwriters, to develop a specialist retail insurance product designed specifically for cycle retailers. Not sports shops. Not general retail. Bike shops, with all the quirks, risks, and opportunities that come with them.
Whether you’re fitting bottom brackets, hosting a women’s maintenance workshop, or renting out demo ebikes, your retail business goes way beyond a till and a stockroom.
One Policy for the Whole Business
When I speak to retailers, I often hear the same frustrations about generic policies. They’re rigid. They don’t understand how modern bike shops operate. They exclude all the “extras” which, ironically, are often the parts that make a shop successful.
We created a policy with Hiscox that starts with the essentials like stock, fixtures and fittings, tools and of course premises. But that extends beyond the basics. Our retailer insurance also includes bike fitting, organised events and classes, bike hire and demo fleets, group rides and the workshop.
What about E-bikes?
Yes, let’s talk about e-bikes, because this is where a lot of other insurers fall flat. The insurer ebike backlash has been swift and, in our opinion, unnecessary. Many insurers now refuse to insure ebikes outright or exclude key elements, especially when it comes to battery-related fire risk.
These decisions might make sense in the abstract, but reputable dealers stocking reputable brands know this isn’t a real-world decision. E-bikes are not only the fastest-growing revenue streams for UK retailers, they also get us one step closer to a healthier, more sustainable society.
We worked closely with Hiscox to ensure our policy includes ebikes as standard. Why? Because we understand that if you’re storing reputable brands, following charging and storage guidelines, and doing things professionally, you shouldn’t be penalised.
Interest-free payments
One of the most important features was ensuring our insurance is competitive and affordable. This means interest-free monthly payments and definitely no whopping first month payment. In an industry where cashflow is king, we’re trying to make things easier.
100% Retention Rate (Yes, Really)
In the last 14 months, we’ve had 100% retention among the retailers who’ve come on board. That’s rare in insurance, and it speaks volumes about the quality of the policy—and the way we support our clients.
Because this isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes. It’s about protecting businesses that are the backbone of the UK cycling scene. We want retailers to thrive—not worry about whether their insurance will actually pay out if something goes wrong.
Want to know more? Fancy a chat with me or the rest of the team? You can speak to us directly at forbusiness@bikmo.com
Looking for more information on retail insurance, or insurance for cycle businesses? Check out our insurance articles.
