GCN Show: What should we make of the possible bike industry crisis?

This week on the show, Si Richardson and Dan Lloyd are back in the studio discussing the current problems affecting the bike industry. In the past few weeks we’ve seen established companies like Wiggle CRC entering administration and iconic brand Islabikes, who revolutionised the kid’s bicycle market, announcing that they are ceasing production.

So why is the bike industry experiencing such turbulent times and what does this mean for the consumer? To find out more Si talks to industry expert Wayne Brown from top cycling agency Shift Active Media who explains how factors like the COVID pandemic, war in Ukraine and general changes in the global economy have all had an impact both on investors in cycling but also consumer habits.

Elsewhere the guys have unearthed a decade-old study that rather alarmingly found drivers in the UK only see one out of five cyclists on the road, and that it’s the responsibility of cyclists to make themselves more visible to motorists. Controversial… Hopefully those statistics have changed over time but we’d be interested to know what you think in the comments below.

Additionally, we celebrate the 40th edition of the Pittsburgh Dirty Dozen race with its 55-mile route that sees riders only timed on its 13 climbs, although one of those is supposedly the steepest street in the US with a 37% gradient!

Plus find out if you were a winner in our Gore clothing giveaway, and if not, don’t worry as there’s a new competition you can enter to win one of 25 Mous phone cases and bike mounts*. Good luck with that!

Hack/bodge of the week:

You can have your say on this week’s Hack/Bodge by clicking on the submission below and voting in the GCN app. And don’t forget to upload yours for a chance to be featured in a future show.

On the channel this week:

• Zone training explained
• The top five most powerful cyclists in the world
• Conor's bespoke hill climbing bike
• Hank's perfect Italian gravel ride
• Dan's vintage Cervélo S3

On GCN+ this week:

You can follow this week’s race action live or on demand over on GCN+ which includes:

• Koppenburg-cross on Wednesday 1 November
• European Cyclo-cross Championships from Pontchâteau in France on Saturday 5 November
• UCI Track Champions League Round 3 from Paris on Saturday 5 November
• New documentary release: Cycling Heartlands: Boulder

Remember, territory restrictions apply to some racing content.

*Entries for the Mous case and bike mounts competition close at 10am GMT Friday 10 November. Winners will be announced in a GCN Show from Tuesday 14 November.

GCN Core Sweatshirt - Black

Get comfy after a ride with the exclusive GCN Core Sweatshirt in black. Made from a soft, brushed cotton blend, this staple is the perfect way to kick-back and show your support. Key features:- 85% cotton, 15% recycled polyester- Ribbed neck collar, sleeve and hem- Machine washable inside out with similar colours