HAVE BIKE, WILL TRAVEL?

At first glance, cycling appears to be one of the lucky industries that has not been ruined by Covid-19. With people keen to avoid public transport and stay active, Halfords has seen a 57.1 per cent surge in bike sales, while some UK regions have witnessed a 300 per cent rise in bike use. But although local riding and bike commuting have grown, cycle tourism has collapsed. From UK sportives to European training camps, Alpine holidays to Gran Fondo events, bike travel has become increasingly difficult and daunting. Tour operators have been o"ering refunds, credit notes and date transfers, and most sportives have been postponed until 2021. As an industry built on adventure and camaraderie, cycle tourism was destined to su"er in the world of social isolation.

The outlook for the entire global tourism industry is bleak. Visit Britain is predicting 25.3 million fewer visits and a decline of £19.7 billion in tourism spending in the UK this year, while the World Tourism Organisation believes international tourist numbers could plummet by 60-80 per cent overall. Cycling is a key part of this tourism ecosystem. The normal annual tourism spend by cyclists in the UK is £520 million, with 1.23 million overnight cycle trips made each year, while cycle tourism annually contributes €44 billion to the European economy.