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https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-tarentum-pittsburgh-dde1cda236d67f190a7ab66a5f98fa74

https://www.bicycling.com/news/a34587945/coronavirus-bike-shortage/

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/small-business/6939687-Theres-a-bike-shortage.-Guess-whos-to-blame

https://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/comment/bicycle-industry-stock-issues/

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/opinion-analysis/2021/03/10/jay-townley-predictions-future-american-bike-and-e-bike-business#.YSOvWo5KiHs

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/products/shimano-shuts-malaysia-component-factory-will-this-further-disrupt-supply-chains

Why are bicycles and parts so hard to find?

Well, Cicadas took over the industry! For real! I’m not joking! Give me a chance to explain.

Bike shops have been closing at a shocking rate for over 30 years nationally. This is due to new ridership not growing at a pace that reflects the passion of those who start and run bike shops. Yes you can point fingers at consumer side websites that needlessly undermine the bike shop while ripping off the customer. Yes you can blame three or four generations’ worth of economic spinelessness for sending all production to be done in one country because it winds up being cheaper. Sure. You can point fingers at bike shops that set bad examples or mismanage finances, etc. But the truth is two things made this shortage happen. The first one is very obvious: A deadly global 100 year viral pandemic has crippled shipping and manufacturing in a way we haven’t experienced before.

The second more subtle reason, or rather exacerbating factor, is the “bike boom” that the first caused which centers around the cicadas. While the supply was decimated, nationally, demand has increased 6 fold. QBP, the distributor for Surly, All-City, Ritchey, and Civia, reported a 70% increase in bike sales in 2020 over 2019. That’s only four bike brands through one distro, and the lock downs largely did not begin until March. There are reports that say something like 130% across all brands! That is absolutely bonkers.

See, like the cicada feeding for so many years on one subterranean source of food eventually have to move all at once to another source of food deep below the soil, hundreds of thousands of Americans all of a sudden needed and wanted something new! Gyms shut down, contact sports went away, schools closed, people were furloughed, let go of, etc.! Where did ALL OF YOU turn for your enjoyment, fitness, happiness, and sense of community? Bicycles! Welcome! We have been here waiting hopefully. Please, with open arms we now embrace you whole-heartedly. We want you to partake with us in this our long-beloved source of wholeness and happiness.

BUT you must understand, so many have slept on this way of life, this tool, this fitness contraption, that the means have shrunk to supply a dwindling bicycle shop population, and even if production was unhindered by the virus, it would take a little teamwork to bring all of you on board so quickly! It will take some tricks and patience to source all your parts, repair your bikes, educate you, and coach you in your new hobby, lifestyle, transportation method, sport, etc. Please be patient with us. We hope that like the cicada, you find bicycles to be everything you needed and wanted!

Oh yeah, and stay a while!