While politicians are discussing purchase bonuses with the automobile lobby and many retailers are complaining about a lack of revenue, queues are forming in front of bike shops.
Landkreis - Bicycle dealers seem to emerge as winners from the Corona crisis. This is also confirmed by Silvia Bilda, who runs the Mobitec bike shop in Wörth together with her husband. She says that many losses in recent weeks have even been made up for somewhat. Cycling is booming, not least because of the current travel restrictions.
"People are rethinking," says Bilda. "You are a bit more flexible on a bike than, for example, walking, to maybe just explore your own country," she adds, referring to vacation trips in her own country. Many people willing to travel turn around and instead of a trip abroad there is a home excursion by bike. Of course, the right equipment is needed for this.
According to Hanni Pfeiffer, the canceled vacations are certainly a reason for the higher demand, which the Erdinger family business Radsport Pfeiffer can also look forward to. From couples to entire families and from children's bikes to mountain bikes, everything is in demand at the moment. “It would of course be desirable that this trend remains for a number of reasons. But I suspect that it won't stay that way once the situation normalizes again, ”she says.
"Bicycle sales are increasing every year at this time, in spring many want to go outside," says Klaus Schauer, owner of Bikesport Schauer in Wartenberg. "But right now it's actually unusually high." At the moment, many more customers would bring their bicycles for repair. Some people would have changed their free time. Mountain bikes, in particular, are currently very much in demand, bikes that are well suited for mountain tours, for example.
Markus Stöckl, owner of Radl-Center Stöckl in Taufkirchen, can only agree. But he also thinks it is possible that a change in mobility behavior could be a reason. Full public transport is currently being avoided and alternatives are being sought. Some prefer to cycle to work instead of bus and train.
Stöckl sees the main reason in the applicable travel warnings and canceled events. “People have no alternatives at the moment. If the holiday is canceled, many will instead invest in a new bike. Cycling is becoming more and more popular in general. "
The e-bike is currently at the top of the ranking. And Schauer also sees a general trend: “I think the crisis has opened the eyes of one or the other and revealed an enthusiasm for cycling. However, demand will not remain as high as it is now. ”The e-bike compensates for differences in performance, says Silvia Bilda,“ everyone can ride together ”. She also believes in popularity. “In my opinion, the wheel is one of the most brilliant inventions of mankind. Cycling is just beautiful. "
Katharina Kronthaler
