Spring Is Here and Bicycles Are In Short Supply

March 14, 2021, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are thinking of upgrading your bicycle this year or taking up cycling for the first time then you may be in for a shock – bicycles are the new ‘toilet paper’ item for spring 2021. It seems that the COVID pandemic has resulted in many more people communizing to work on the bikes, and more people cycling as a form of safe and fun exercise.
 
CBC News is reporting that local bike shops are grappling with inventory issues as the demand continues to surge. You may find a bike, but it might not be the one you want or in your price range.  Increased demand has resulted in inventory levels up to 80% lower than normal years. The demand in the service departments has surged too.

Buy New?

The advice of cycling experts and bike store owners is to get into a shop as soon as you can or risk facing no inventory.
 
The shortage of bikes in the store has been driven by demand and by the lack of supply. The factories where bikes are made have also suffered from the COVID restrictions and supply chain problems that most other manufacturing has experienced.

Buy Used?

Other advice includes shopping online market places for good used bikes, particularly the mid to high-end mountain and road bikes, and off-road bikes, as supply is NOT expected to return to normal until at least the end of the summer. If you are shopping for a used bike then make sure to have it serviced (or do it yourself with the help of a YouTube video). Brakes should be in full working order before you get on the bike!
 
Many bike stores also run a used bike department. If you get in early you can let them know what you want.

Safety First

Other safety tips for cycling safely include:

•      Wear a helmet
•      Obey the rules of the road
•      Don’t ride impaired
•      Cycle in designated bike lanes or on bike paths when possible
•      Wear high viz gear
•      Have fun

 
If you are looking to have fun, get fit and be green then get out on your bike! If you have a few older bikes kicking around the house this could be the time to sell them and let others learn the joy of the ride!
 
Remember that if you or a loved one are in a cycling accident with a car you may be entitled to compensation and should contact a personal injury lawyer like Deutschmann Law for advice as soon as possible.
 
 

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.