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30 Nov 2023

New research from Lime entitled “Tackling the Gender Pedal Gap” has most women facing barriers to cycling, including poorly lit streets and isolated routes. The report claims...

27 Nov 2023

Torq Zone Academy, a leading institution of vocational training in South Africa, has been re-accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), for another five years, to offer...

27 Nov 2023

Cycling UK has released its annual 100 Women in Cycling list for 2023, the seventh such initiative to celebrate women across the British cycling community and those who inspire others to cycle.

27 Nov 2023

The former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Hogan-Howe, has said number plates should be introduced on the back of bikes to stop so many cyclists being a danger on...

23 Nov 2023

Retail sector leaders have expressed a range of concerns, from taxation to business rates, following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement this week.

15 Nov 2023

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has outlined its expectations from the government...

14 Nov 2023

ACT member and Cytech-accredited Stonehaven shop Bike Remedy has been given permission to expand its offering by building a bike shelter and tool station outside its premises.

14 Nov 2023

As more people turn to cycling, more jobs are being created in the industry, according to an article in The Sun.

14 Nov 2023

Cytech Training Scotland, proudly operated by Bike for Good, is thrilled to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements in providing top-notch Cytech bicycle maintenance training. Over the past...

14 Nov 2023

The ACT is urging any cycling retailers affected by technical issues being reported with the 'buy now, pay later' app Klarna to consider whether they may be better served by switching to an...

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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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