News - The ACT https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?rss ACT and Cycle to Work Alliance identify areas to work together to drive positive change https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3873 The Association of Cycle Traders has held productive discussions with the Cycle to Work Alliance around the issue of Cycle to Work reform, following the news that more than 650 independent bike retailers and other industry parties have now signed up to the ACT’s call for systemic reform of the Cycle to Work scheme. “Together, we have identified common areas of interest,” explains Jonathan Harrison of the Association of Cycle Traders.... Cycles News Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT Cautious optimism expressed about Chancellor’s reduction in National Insurance rates. https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3871 ACT parent company, Bira – the British Independent Retailers’ Association -  has said that the Chancellor’s decision to reduce national insurance rates could offer a 'glimmer of hope' for struggling retailers who are desperate for consumer confidence to return to the high street. Jeremy Hunt announced a significant cut in the main rate of class 1 National Insurance, reducing it to 8% from 6th April 2024. This follows a prior cut... Business News Cycles News Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT Driving forward the Cycle to Work Scheme https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3872 Cycle to Work Alliance and Association of Cycle Traders Joint Statement The Cycle to Work Alliance and the Association of Cycle Traders have identified common areas of interest around Cycle to Work reform. Both parties are committed to working together to drive forward positive change opening up Cycle to Work to more people and to grow the cycle market for all. The Cycle to Work Alliance and Association of Cycle Traders held positive and productive discussions on the contribution of the... Business News Cycles News Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT Talk the torque in the Cytech Tech Forum https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3868 Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians, has launched a new Facebook group - the Cytech Tech Forum – where Cytech-qualified mechanics can connect and share ideas, tips, hints and technical advice. In creating a forum for professional Cytech mechanics worldwide, the breadth of experience and skills will help newly qualified technicians to connect and feel supported after having completed their Cytech training. Launching... Business News Cycles News Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT No clear need or demand for proposed government changes to e-bike regulations, argues Association of Cycle Traders https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3870 Proposed government changes to regulations and legislation governing EAPCs (Electrically assisted pedal cycles), which could see a doubling in the power of e-bikes to 500W and allowing ebikes to be ridden without the need for the rider to pedal, will be to the detriment of cyclists as well as retailers and need to be vigorously opposed, the Association of Cycle Traders has said. The ACT, whose comments echo similar statements from The Bicycle Association and Cycling UK, argues that the... Business News Cycles News Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT BikeBiz editor gets hands on with Cytech technical one https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3867 Daniel Blackham, editor of industry magazine BikeBiz, has been writing about his experience of completing the Cytech technical one qualification at training provider Spokes People in Milton Keynes. Writing about his experience, Daniel said the idea came from former editor, Alex Ballinger as a way of helping the BikeBiz team gain a better understanding of what their readers experience daily. Spokes People, based in Milton Keynes, is run by Lee Niven & Darren Hyland.... Cycles News Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT JE James Cycles to open first Barnsley store https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3866 ACT member and Cytech-accredited retailer JE James Cycles – one of the largest independent cycle retailers in Europe – is to open a new 7,874 sq ft store shop in Barnsley town centre in May.  The three-story shop will offer a huge variety of bikes and cycling goods from both JE James, which has been operating for over 60 years, and Giant Bikes, one of the biggest bike brands in the world. This building is part of... Business News Cycles News Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT Activate Cycle Academy welcomes British Cycling to Cytech technical one training course https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3865 Cytech partner Activate Cycle Academy, the largest of Cytech’s UK training providers, recently welcomed a cohort of British Cycling coaches into its Stafford workshop, which included Team GB’s most decorated Olympian, Sir Jason Kenny. Over the years, Activate Cycle Academy has regularly trained British Cycling mechanics and even had groups of their team riders attend its courses. This time around, it was the turn of their coaching team. For British... Cycles News Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:12:00 GMT Enjoy preferential pricing, no authorisation fees and no PCI fees with ACT partner Global Payments https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3859 Retailers looking for a payment solution that facilitates in-person, remote and online payments should look at what’s on offer from ACT partner Global Payments. With over 40,000 merchants in the UK, Global Payments been recognised as a Fortune 500 member globally. Closer to home, they have been nominated for ‘Best use of voice of the customer’ for their customer experience and continue to support businesses across the UK. With 50... Business News Cycles News Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:12:00 GMT Local Bike Shop Day 2024 confirmed for Saturday May 4th. https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3858 The ACT is happy to confirm the date for Local Bike Shop Day 2024 as Saturday 4 May, the weekend of the early May Bank Holiday. The ACT is encouraging the industry and the wider cycling community to support the campaign as part of a wider effort to ‘kickstart’ the sector after a difficult post-Covid period. Jonathan Harrison from the ACT said: “Local Bike Shop Day is a celebration of the character, quality, and passion... Business News Cycles News Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:12:00 GMT