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9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.

9 Jan 2026

Bikeability has responded to a report that found participation in its child cycling proficiency scheme has fallen across parts of the Midlands, particularly in the West Midlands, and it believes...

8 Jan 2026

Councils across England have received more than £626m in government funding to deliver new walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, with enough investment to build 500 miles of routes and...

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.

23 Dec 2025

Labour’s transport chief has talked up the government’s latest active travel funding pledge while not being drawn on specific national aims for walking and cycling, despite calls for...

23 Dec 2025

A $1.6 million anti-counterfeiting bust has seen illegal bicycle products seized after an investigation targeting listings on AliExpress, a Chinese retail giant whose website is accessible to...

12 Dec 2025

Electric bike specialist title CyclingElectric.com has announced that its e-bike Demo Days will return to the four established locations in 2026, following a successful series of...

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13...

11 Dec 2025

An ACT member has picked up a ‘Mechanic of the Month’ award in a rare win for an entire team.

10 Dec 2025

The ACT has joined more than 50 organisations in signing a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander calling for clearer, measurable national targets for walking, wheeling and cycling in...

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Bicycle shops can remain open for business

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Political News

Following the Prime Minister's announcement last night in which he stated non-essential businesses and premises must now close, further information regarding bicycle shops has now been published.

Bicycle shops are considered an exception to the measures and can remain open for business.

You can read the Government guidance here.

The ACT fully supported the industry suppliers efforts (via the Bicycle Association) that bicycle repair shops must remain open, with a particular focus upon continuity of transport for essential workers.

The initial measures, outlined during the Prime Minister's announcement, will be in place for 3 weeks. During which time we will, as an industry, continue to lobby the Government that access to bicycle shops is critical to the delivery of essential worker transport as well as providing the ideal solution for safe and healthy exercise.

The guidance underlines the important role of the cycle industry at this difficult time and it continues to be encouraged for exercise and commuting by Government.

It is evident from the sudden surge in demand from people returning to cycling that bicycle shops have a key role to play in the current landscape, but we fully support those businesses that wish to close for now in the interests of the safety of their staff and customers. The ACT has published guidance and along with our partners we are here to guide & support businesses through this period.

The ACT will be playing its role:

  • Advising those retailers who choose to stay open how they can best adapt their business to optimise sales whilst staying within safe guidelines
  • Offering support and advice for any business wishing to close
  • Developing consumer engagement, making the general public more aware of cycling benefits and continuity options for health, travel and wellbeing

We are in the process of producing materials for retailers to display to help with social distancing in store, including posters on queuing at a safe distance and distancing at till points. These items will be available later today and circulated to the ACT database.

 

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