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Buyer’s Side Inside Outdoor | SUMMER 2020 20 And it isn’t just impacting bike sales, either. Shortages also are ex- tending down into parts and acces- sories, which is putting even more pressure on store owners to get creative about revenue generation. At this point, stores are faced with limited revenue opportunities for the traditionally busy summer months, as well as the upcoming fall and holiday shopping seasons. Without any new bicycles to sell, many store owners are doubling down on main- tenance and repairs, as a means of servicing existing customers and recouping some revenue. “People find that when they can- not purchase a new bike, a lot of the bikes that they’ve had in storage or in the basement or the attic are now coming into the service depart- ment,” explained Bob Magatagan who is a manager at BikeSource in Highlands Ranch, Colo. “Our ser- vice department is now getting a little overwhelmed as well.” It’s possible that a scenario could develop where many con- sumers — especially people who are new to the sport — will want to sell their bicycles in the coming months after the initial novelty and enjoyment wear off, and the cooler months approach. So, we could see a major uptick in used bicycle sales at some point, especially if the shortage drags on longer than expected and bikes become harder to obtain. However, it remains to be seen whether concerns about germs and buying used items will impact resale values. Rise of the Trikes One way that shop owners can drive revenue and capitalize on con- sumer demand for cycling is by sell- ing recumbent trikes, which contain three wheels and situate the rider in a reclining, as opposed to an up- right, position. Doing so distributes weight over a larger surface area, taking pressure off the lower back and legs and allowing for a more leisurely and comfortable riding ex- perience, along with better handling and stability in some cases. Once an afterthought in the mainstream cycling community, trikes are now becoming increas- ingly popular among many con- sumer groups and are proving to be a viable alternative to traditional bicycles. For example, leading manufacturer TerraTrike reported a record-setting month of May, after Monthly U.S. Sales Growth for Key Bicycle Categories, January-April 2020 vs. 2019 Source: The NPD Group 0% 50% 100% 150% 200% 350% 300% Traditional Children’s Transit/Fitness Front Suspension Mtn. Lifestyle/Leisure Stationary Helmets Jan’19 vs. Jan’20 Dollars % Change YoY Feb’19 vs. Feb’20 Mar’19 vs. Mar’20 Apr’19 vs. Apr’20 What f ctors matter most to you for safe guiding during COVID-19? Source: 57hours survey of guides and outfitters 69.7% 45% 36.7% 31.2% 29.4% 7.3% Taking out only 1-2 individuals at a time If my client looks healthy /has no fever If my client had proof they already had the virus and have recovered The State or region my client comes from using gloves and face protection while guiding I don’t plan to resume guiding until there is a vaccine What month(s) do you plan on taking a vacation this year? 36% 57% 67% 65% 62% 48% “Our channel historically has been made up of those who aged off their two-wheel bike, or found themselves unable to ride anymore. But now, more people are looking for o her means of transportation.” – Marshall Randall, WizWheelz director.