The boom is bike! Bicycle sales soar during lockdown in Kilkenny

Bicycle sales in Kilkenny have soared this year as a result of the pandemic, while spending in services stations across the county has plummeted.

A new report by AIB shows a 13% increase in bicycle sales in the county year-on-year,

The data was compiled from almost one million AIB debit and credit card transactions between January 2019 and September 2020. It showed service station transactions decreased by 11% during this period.

The report says: “Reduced traffic, good weather and investment in cycling infrastructure has seen sales in bicycle stores increase 32% (nationwide) year on year so far as more people look to reduce their carbon footprint and hop on their bike instead of jumping in their car.

“The month of June, when restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic started to lift, saw consumers rush to bicycle stores, with sales 70% higher than those in June 2019.

“In July and August sales in bicycle stores were 63% and 53% higher year on year respectively with this trend continuing into to September with sales 63% higher than September 2019.”