An increase in cycling during the lockdown weeks has seen record bike sales across the country – so much so that retailers say there is a chance demand will soon outstrip availability.

Emily Graham, from Palace Cycles in Botchergate in Carlisle, has seen a huge demand for bikes right across the range. She said: “We saw a huge spike in demand at the beginning of lockdown and a spike in sales and in repairs as people started to dig out their bikes from their sheds. We have been pretty much overwhelmed for the last few weeks now.”

She said the problem is that everywhere is wuickly running out of stock, adding: “We are selling out within 45 minutes of putting our bikes online.”

She said they have almost sold through this year's models and various brands are struggling to bring the 2021 models forward, with none able to release the bikes before August, so availability could be an issue.

“People have started on the lower price bikes for those that haven’t ridden or haven’t ridden for a long time, then as those have sold out people have moved up to the next available bikes. We have sold out of hybrids, the demand has been right across the board.”

Chris Nicholson, who works at Arragons Cycles in Penrith, said they have been very busy since lockdown and it is getting to a point now where suppliers are starting to struggle.

He said: “Demand went up, but the factories were closed. In a couple of months we should start to see an increase.”

He added: “The biggest boom has been in electric bikes – people have been choosing to buy an electric bike when they would have have caught public transport.” He said people have been coming from Carlisle to buy one, often older people, and that it is still a way of exercising as the rider can choose when the motor powers in.

4Play cycles owner Adam Stitt, from Cockermouth, said he had never known a time like it for being so busy, but has found that suppliers are now struggling to keep up with demand. Mechanic Stephen Vear has been kept very busy with repairs during the lockdown time and working hard to keep people riding.

Craig Scott, one of the owners of Cyclewise, said they had to close their bicycle hire business at Whinlatter during lockdown, which has affected them badly. But their Cockermouth shop has been extremely busy, especially the workshop. At their busiest there was a three-and-a-half-week wait for repairs. Now their bikes are available to hire again from Whinlatter either by calling 01768 778711 or by visiting their website at cyclewise.co.uk