'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' is a common phrase, and indeed it would seem that the cycle industry has lived by it so far as packaging is concerned.

A bike box is a bike box. Packaging goes down the supply chain from manufacturer to retailer, and eventually, a consumer tears up an enormous box and tries to cram it in their recycling bin (hopefully).

Yes, cardboard costs money, but it was about the cheapest option out there.

But with covid, rising freight and cardboard costs and a supply chain that's in disarray, it would appear something is broken and now needs fixing.

In this episode, we talk with Sigma Sports, TREK, ZyroFisher and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to explore the problems, actions, opportunities and support available for those wishing to transition from linear to more sustainable circular models of packaging.

Find out more about the Bicycle Association here:

Online
Twitter
LinkedIn

As we entered April 2020, nobody foresaw what the year to come would bring - indeed, most anticipated that bike businesses would close along with most other industries.

What followed was an unprecedented year of demand, and what is more incredible is that there was actual data to back up the anecdotal evidence of surging demand for the first time.

This podcast tracks the history of the Bicycle Association's Market Data Service (MDS).  How it came into being, why the industry had to wait so long for a true Market Data Service, and what is to come.  

Join us as we talk with Simon Irons and Tom Payton, from the BA team behind MDS, Jack Dennison of Sigma Sports, who uses the service, and Nick Nettleton of Loft, to hear how MDS will evolve to provide even greater value in the future.

Bicycle Association Market Data Service - https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/market-data/

Want to join the Bicycle Association - https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/membership/?jump=Join-the-BA

Find out more about the Bicycle Association here:

Online
Twitter
LinkedIn

Cycle theft is as old as cycling itself, and for the most part, the focus has been on ensuring cyclists themselves don't fall victim to cycle crime.

But, as the value of bikes has gone up, thieves are no longer prepared to wait for bikes to hit the streets and are targeting retailers in increasingly audacious and sophisticated attacks.

We join Stephen Holt and David Middlemiss of the Bicycle Association, Mark James of J E James Cycles, and Superintendent Mark Cleland from British Transport Police as they discuss how retailers are being affected, how the police have changed their approach to cycle crime and how an industry-wide approach might be (at least part of) the answer.

BA Guide to Cycle Security (coming soon) - https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/technical/?jump=guides

The BA’s UK Cycle Industry Census 2021 – 

https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/news-press/census-2021-results/

OPAL - National Intelligence Unit for Serious Organised Acquisitive Crime - https://www.npcc.police.uk/NationalPolicing/OPALNationalIntelligenceUnitforSeriousOrganisedAcq.aspx

Find out more about the Bicycle Association here:

Online
Twitter
LinkedIn

In this episode, we join Steve Garadis, the Bicycle Association's Executive Director, and Phillip Darnton, the Executive Chairman as they discuss Advocacy and what that means for our members. 

Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/918442/cycling-walking-investment-strategy.pdf

The Walking and Cycling Alliance
https://bicycleassoc.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Moving-the-nation_A4_4pp.pdf

Bicycle Association Market Data Service
https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/market-data/

Bicycle Association Technical Services
https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/technical/

Contact the Bicycle Association
https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/contact/

Find out more about the Bicycle Association here:

Online
Twitter
LinkedIn

With the growing interest in reducing impact and making cycling more sustainable, we talk with Rapha's Head of Sustainability, Duncan Money, to find out a little more about what they're doing to become a more sustainable company.

Below you will find links to some of the sources of information and help that Duncan discusses in this Special Edition podcast.

Rapha Impact Commitments, Targets and Actions: https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/stories/Rapha-Impact

Sustainable Apparel Coalition: https://apparelcoalition.org

REI Product Impact Standards: https://www.rei.com/assets/stewardship/sustainability/rei-product-impact-standards/live.pdf

Responsible Wool Standard: https://textileexchange.org/standards/responsible-wool/

Find out more about the Bicycle Association here:

Online
Twitter
LinkedIn