Bicycle Association addresses logistics challenges

The Bicycle Association (BA) is working across the industry to find a solution to the rising logistics costs and quality issues faced by the cycling trade. Over the past year cycling has experienced unprecedented growth, with the BA projecting £1bn increase in the UK cycling market.

The cycling industry has worked hard to ensure that prices across all categories remain accessible to anyone who wants to cycle. Unfortunately, along with the sector growth there have also been rising transport and logistics costs and quality issues.

To find a solution and ensure cycling remains accessible to everyone, the BA has sought advice from members and appointed specialist procurement firm JMCL Consulting.

Jonny Michael, CEO of JMCL Consulting commented: “We’re using our Enlightened Procurement approach to build for the short, medium and long term. We’re involving Logistics & Transport industry providers, in collaboration with BA Members and other key stakeholders, to develop a creative and sustainable solution. This is a classic yet complex procurement challenge. We consider that the eventual solution will not only yield significantly improved value for the cycling industry, but also provide social and environmental benefits.”

“Covid has added £1bn to the cycling market, accelerating the re-emergence of cycling as a strategic industry for transport, health and environment,” says Steve Garidis, Bicycle Association Executive Director. “We know that this growth is set to continue so we need to find efficient solutions to ensure bikes and components get where they need to be for people to access them.”

Logistics & Transport providers who would like to be involved should contact JMCL via email at: j.michael@jmclconsulting.com.

Current cycling market snapshot (figures from BA’s Market Data Service):

• UK cycling market valued at £2.31bn in 2020, an increase of 45% vs 2019
  E-bike sales share to nearly double by 2023
  Major online shift in cycling sales, from 60:40 to 40:60 (retail:online) over last 12 months
  Double-digit growth maintained across all main cycling categories throughout 2020 and into early 2021