Bike buying booms to cycle past coronavirus

As many were looking for alternatives to commute from their homes to workplaces amid limited service of public transports during coronavirus pandemic, the demand for once popular bicycle has soared in Dhaka. The low-cost two-wheeler also has helped public transport users to reach destinations avoiding the risks of Covid-19 transmission, of course without counting any increased fares of buses or CNG-run auto rickshaws and without little or no maintenance bill.       

As gyms are remaining shut to avoid gathering, many have opted to ride bicycle as a way of physical exercise. Sellers said the sale of costlier bicycles has rose to almost 40 percent. Besides, young generation’s inclination to cycling in recent years also has contributed to the surge in demand.     

During coronavirus lockdown, the need for bicycles has increased in many online shops and the delivery of their products to the doorsteps of customers, adding to the demand for bicycles.

As per information gathered from sellers, the demand for bicycles is increased by 30 percent in each of recent years though the mega city lacks cycle path or bike lane.

Md Motiur Rahman, a seller of CycleLife Exclusive, a cycle shop at Tejgaon Link Road of the capital, told The Business Post they are almost running out of stock due to the spike in sales of the most health and environment friendly mode of transport.

“Customers bought many bicycles from us in last month and we are now unable to meet their ever increasing demand. We have overwhelming customer demand, but we don’t have products. Even we have to struggle every day to cater to the crowd of customers,” he added.

Motiur said they sell bike at various prices ranging from Tk 5,000 to Tk 2,00000 for each. They have now bicycles priced up to Tk 58,000 in stock as all of their expensive bicycles are sold out. 

While visiting the shops, this correspondent observed that the bicycles pricing Tk 6,000 to Tk 14,000 are on high demand among customers. Sellers said most of the customers are from those in the 18 to 35 age group. 

Shahin, manager of Afif Cycle Store at Kazi Alauddin Road of Nazira Bazar, said they have sold gearless bicycles more than others and for that, customers opt for the brand- Hero Ranger. Sale of bicycles for females has increased as well. If we sell 100 bicycles, these include 10-15 for females, he added.

Of the total sale, around 50 percent of the bicycles have been sold from various online shops, Shahin said.

However, many bicycle shops provide their customers with home delivery service in order to avoid customer contact in shops. Sellers are hopeful that this increasing demand for bicycles will see further upward trend. Besides, customers are now more health conscious, said the sellers.  

Kayzer Hossain, a resident of Mohanagar Project in West Rampura, told The Business Post that he learned bicycle riding as a hobby in childhood and now it has turned into a necessity at this age of 34. It is not a matter of hobby anymore. “As I’m totally avoiding public transports fearing coronavirus infection, I have to depend only on my bicycle to commute from home to office. It has been two weeks since I bought the bicycle,” he said.

   Many said that bicycle ride to their offices resulted in as a physical exercise which simultaneously help to boost immune system without hitting them in the pocket. We are killing two birds with one stone.