The ACT: Bike Builders needed now

Cytech and the ACT estimate that there are up to 20,000 bicycles awaiting delivery and building, which are either already sold or committed to by consumers in the UK.

The sudden demand from essential workers and the significant adoption of cycling for exercise, travel and family leisure during the pandemic, further fuelled by the unseasonally good weather is putting an extreme demand upon the industry.

Although there are growing concerns about stock supply the big bottle neck in getting the nation back onto bikes is the lack of resources to get them built and ready for customers.

The pandemic first began to impact the UK in late February, a seasonal low for the industry and well ahead of the normal recruitment drive for technicians. This has been further impacted by the large numbers of the general public who have dragged old and weary bikes out of sheds and garages to be made road worthy again. This demand has put huge pressures upon retail workshops with many reporting working into the night to deliver bikes back to customers in a timely fashion.

Whilst technicians are repairing they aren't building and the delay in supply is impacting even essential workers getting cycling. The ACT was contacted directly by nurse Shanee Franklin complaining that she was having to wait over 2 weeks to receive a built bike.

The ACT is therefore making a big shout out to technicians that are free to take on bike building work now. If you are not currently working in the trade, but would like to return or perhaps you or furloughed and would like to make some additional income during your furlough period the UK bike trade and essential workers need your help NOW!

Priority can be given to candidates with Cytech qualifications Level 1 and above as your skills are validated by qualification, but all candidates with proven and ideally recent PDI experience should apply.

Please refer to the jobs board here.

Retailers with technician requirements can place adverts on the Cytech, ACT, ActSmart and Indie Retail jobs boards, free to ACT members.