This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 31-40 of 947


13 Feb 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called for a series of cost-saving measures in the next Budget to help boost business.

12 Feb 2024

People across England are missing out on a slew of health, wellbeing and environmental benefits due to half a century of “chronic underfunding” of its streets, according to Cycling...

12 Feb 2024

ACT member and Cytech-accredited Pauls Cycles in Dereham, Norfolk has said its electric bike sales have increased by a quarter since October, despite predictions they would drop off over...

9 Feb 2024

Guy Opperman, the Minister for Roads and Local Transport at the Department for Transport, whose focuses among other things on cycling and active travel, has attended a meeting of...

2 Feb 2024

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published new information on how to safely purchase, charge and use e-bikes and e-scooters in an effort to improve consumer safety.
Following...

30 Jan 2024

Cyclists in Warwickshire rode around the world during December as part of an initiative to encourage safe winter cycling.
 

30 Jan 2024

An  analysis of almost 380,000 people living in Scotland suggests that commuting by bike reduces the risk of mental ill-health.

30 Jan 2024

A North Yorkshire cycle shop, which has become one of the largest bike businesses in the area, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary.

30 Jan 2024

For our latest retailer profile, we spoke with Dallas Wiseman from BikeWise & Run, a Ceredigion-based bike shop that has become a hub for cyclists in the region.

30 Jan 2024

New data from market research firm Mintel suggests the UK bicycle market could on the road to recovery, with sales of new bikes set to reach almost £1 billion this year.
Mintel...

Back to news menu

Local Bike Shop Day Stories: Rides on Air

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Rides on Air, Local Bike Shop DayIn celebration of Local Bike Shop Day's return for 2020, the ACT are launching Local Bike Shop Day Stories, an initiative that helps to spread the word of the positive impact that local bike shops have on their local communities.

Rides on Air

Rides on Air has been in Wallingford town centre for almost 100 years although the name changed to Rides on Air in 1998 and has recently relocated within the centre of the town to a complete new store in April 2019.

The business changed ownership in April 2017, we had a big change in brands and product selection within the store which proved to be very popular with our customers.

Since then we have re-established the family values within the business. We believe that we have the right mix of products, delivered with valuable customer service provided by a very strong team of employees whose passion for cycling is evident.

The town of Wallingford is very events orientated, ranging from music festivals to classic car events- not forgetting the annual 3 day cycling event which we ensure we are actively involved every year!

Why people should shop local

The high street is still an integral part of people's lives in terms of working, shopping, and visiting cafe's or restaurants. While there has always been competition from adverts in magazines and newspapers, recently this has converted to the internet.

However, we are seeing many online businesses struggle as marketing and discounts tend to reduce any margins, this has led to prices going up enabling us to match prices in many cases and become equally as competitive.

The upside of the internet has been stock availability. Managing customer requirements against stock levels is vital to ensure stock churn which a business needs and enables us to capture that sale on the day.

Plans for Local Bike Shop Day 2020

We start our new Saturday morning cycle rides for beginners in April which also helps guide people through various local cycle routes safely away from the traffic. This also helps to encourage people that don't like cycling on their own to get the bike out of the garage and invariably draws repair work into the store!

We also provide support to local schools and events locally to promote the health and benefits of cycling. As well as this, we also began carrying out ladies cycle maintenance evenings in 2019!

Find out more about Rides on Air and other shops that have registered for Local Bike Shop Day here.

Want to share your local bike shop story?

If you would like to get involved with Local Bike Shop Day Stories please email info@theact.org.uk with the following information:

  • Background information on your shop, such as when it opened and why
  • Ways in which you believe your shop helps the community
  • Any plans you may have for Local Bike Shop Day
  • Any photos/ logos to include

Local Bike Shop Day Stories hopes to capture the essence of local bike shops and all that they contribute to the community.

Need some ideas to get you started? Visit out Local Bike Shop Day ideas piece that lists just a few ways in which you can get involved with Local Bike Shop Day and celebrate all that your shop has to offer.

Sign up for Local Bike Shop Day now

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.