BICYCLE INDUSTRY STILL BOOMING A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC
Bicycles continue to spin out of stores in record numbers.
Last March, people began purchasing bicycles at the beginning of the pandemic. A year later, the industry continues to see an increase in sales — to the point where manufacturers are struggling to supply product, experts said.
“We used to get a truckload of bikes, and now we are getting two or three at a time,” said George Gatto, co-owner of Gatto Cycle Shop in Tarentum. “The vendors can’t keep up with the demand. It’s been a really challenging past 12 months.”
This time last year, Gatto said, he was hesitant about placing a big order, but peers from shops in other states suggested he do so. “I am glad I did, because now there is no inventory anywhere,” Gatto said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Gatto said the shop normally has three times the number of bikes in the showroom and plenty more in inventory. A shortage of bike parts also has affected the manufacturers — from Trek to Specialized to Cannondale to Schwinn and others — being able to make bikes, he said.
This is happening across all types, from road bikes to electronic bikes.
Gatto’s shop
