I live in a Rat City,a university city. I dont see many bikes locked up in my city. Having said this,my city is dying.
The number of bike shops in and around my city has declined since I moved here in the 80s.
Once-was-a-decent bike shop Evans has now become a low priced stack-em- high junk shop.
My once was decent central bike shop has had to move and now seems to just sell repairs. The bikes he now sells seem low-end. I take coffee with the owner once a week. His tales of the bike industry and sales,are tales of woe.
Decathlon sits some 9 miles outside of the city. I dont know what their sales are.
I dont see the numbers out cycling what I saw in the 80s. As the population of the UK has grown and the suburbs,and the roads,more cars and lorries are on the roads and people less likely to cycle because to 'break away from it all' is at least a hours cycle ride to enter anthing countryside.
The roads are breaking down: potholes.
There remain two specialist road bike shops within the near city.
There are more electric assist cyclists about thanks to Pizza delivery services or wotnot.
I would want x4 New York U locks to leave any decent bike in the city tethered.
I believe there is some growth in runaround mobile bike mechanics repairing bicycles. I dont know how their business works out
