Central Massachusetts bicycle retailers are still dealing with a national bike shortage following high demand for bikes at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and some estimate supply could be down for a while. What the pandemic basically did is make people realize that cycling is a safe and fun way to get exercise, Neil Medin, manager of Landry s Bicycles on Jolma Road in Worcester, said. Gyms started to close and fitness places closed for the pandemic, and people still wanted to get outside and be active. And they found cycling a good avenue to do it.
Last year, the pandemic created a rush to buy bicycles as people began looking for outdoor exercise options with gyms and other workout facilities having to close as part of state shelter-in-place orders. Retailers faced record demand for bicycles and eventually saw a shortage in supply.