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9 Jul 2025

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

8 Jul 2025

More than 30 locations across Scotland have seen a major rise in the number of people cycling, according to newly released data.

7 Jul 2025

Sixteen illegally upgraded e-bikes capable of speeds up to 40mph have been seized and disposed of in a joint enforcement operation in Birmingham city centre.

7 Jul 2025

Bristol-based Cytech training provider and ACT member Life Cycle has launched its award-winning Bikes Beyond Bars programme at HMP Bullingdon, expanding a project that has already impacted lives...

4 Jul 2025

New data from Strava reveals a major surge in cycling across the UK, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.

3 Jul 2025

Shimano has launched an urgent investigation into what it describes as a “critical” shortage of skilled bike mechanics across Europe, warning that the situation threatens to...

2 Jul 2025

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

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The ACT: Bike Builders needed now

Posted on in Cycles News

workshop survey 2008Cytech 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.

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