For decades, local bike shops have been the lifeblood of cycling in the UK – you simply couldn’t get a new bike, jersey or crankset without visiting one, and local bike shops are often the centre of the cycling community.
However, our local bike shops are under threat from impossible-to-beat online prices, changing shopping habits and rising rents – but there are some very important reasons why we should support these businesses.
We’re not knocking online retailers – there’s something extremely satisfying about ordering something on the internet, normally at a great price, and it arriving the next day – but it’s also important we support the local bike shops and ensure they’re not forced into extinction. There’s room in this world for both.
From the unique technical expertise that you’ll get from a local bike mechanic, to the value of feeling and touching a product before you buy – good local bike shops still have so much to offer. Here are seven reasons to support yours.