Auckland bicycle market feels pressure from strong demand and stock shortage
26 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
NZ Herald
By: Emme Mckay
Auckland s bicycle market is feeling the pressure from an increase in demand, shortage of stock and increasing bike thefts.
Bike stores across the city – and nationally – are feeling the delayed effects of the Covid-19 pandemic stopping bike production and closing factories.
Kingsland s Cyco Bike Shop said they were seeing a shortage of bikes, accessories and service parts.
There was a massive shortage of cheaper mountain and family bicycles .
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T. Whites Bikes owner Anae Brown was also facing the same dilemma, with supply not being able to keep up with the number of Kiwis keen to buy a shiny new two-wheeler.
The chairperson of Bike Auckland says bike theft is rampant in the region and people need to secure them with quality locks.
Thieves are using thieves loppers, or bolt cutters, to cut bike locks as bike theft in Auckland remains a big problem. (File image).
Photo: Unsplash / Roman Koester
Barbara Cuthbert said the theft was often organised crime involving an outlet for bikes and the least-secured ones tend to be stolen.
She said CCTV footage showed some owners used light cable locks, which could be broken simply by pulling, and others used cafe locks, which only lock the wheel.
Sometimes thieves used loppers or bolt cutters to cut the lock, Cuthbert said.