For bike shops, this glorious weather is better than any amount of advertising and the weathermen predict that it’s going to run for some weeks yet.

While all this sounds jolly good, and no doubt the general public will think we’re coining it, there is an unusual and unexpected cloud on the horizon – a lack of new bikes. Unfortunately there is no quick fix for this problem. The usual lead time from a manufacturer, for a new model, is a year, and a fast lead time, for a repeat order, is around six months.

One choice open to us, is to jump into bed with another supplier who does have great stocks of bikes. But if they do have good stocks what does that mean? Yes – well done all those who realise that it’s because their products are poo and no one wants them.

So a good guessing game for the supplier: what type of bike; what sizes; what colours; what equipment; how many and how quick? This year their best guesses have been influenced by the recession and the weak pound, throw in the high demand of this unexpectedly hot summer, and suddenly it all goes wobbly.

If you’re thinking of a new bike should you panic? No, I think that you should find a bike which will probably be fine, even if it’s not your dream machine. Are we worrying? Again no, our greatest worry is believing the hype that our bike reps will inevitably spin us: low stock; no more bikes coming into stock until hell freezes over, so we’d better buy shed loads as soon as possible.

Braking (late) News

Cycle sales fall in the USA
While Europe is showing an increase in cycle sales, the USA is undergoing a definite decline. Recently released figures show a fall of 30% in cycles imported. In fact, just over a million less bicycles were brought in during the first quarter of 2009, which is an eleven year low. Despite this, it appears that the average value has gone up, and that hybrid and racing bikes sales are actually growing

Sustrans ‘Change Your World’ Campaign launched.
Sustrans’s campaign to get more people walking, cycling, car sharing or taking the bus began on the first of June. Sustrans say that if everyone made just one less car journey each week, this would save 7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being generated every year. Sustrans are hoping the number of people who promise to abandon their cars will exceed last year’s total of 8,000.

Lies, damned lies and statistics
China exported 45.57 million bicycles in 2002.
In October 2005, 650,000 Londoners cycled on a regular basis.
Raleigh sold 1.5 million original Choppers in the U.K. during its 10 year production run.
The Copenhagen Study (2000) concluded that those who didn’t cycle to work experienced a 39% higher mortality rate than those who did.
The Royal Mail has a fleet of 37,000 bikes.

• Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com