Cellbikes's Blog

Bicycle Sales Race Ahead as City Dwellers Go Green

cellbikes — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:00:53 +0000

Kate Hardie-Buckley and William Shrubb | December 06, 2008

AS the financial crisis tightens its grip, more Australians are opting for two wheels over four.

With petrol still about $1 a litre, the worry of climate change and the pressure to get fit, people across the country — indeed, the world — are turning to bicycles as their first choice of transport and leaving their cars behind.

John Coffey, manager of Sydney retail store Cell Bikes Australia, has seen a huge increase in demand. His business has enjoyed a 42 per cent spike in sales since last year, with a 34 per cent rise in commuter bikes alone.

The surging popularity of commuter bikes is consistent with a one-third increase in city riding worldwide.

Mr Coffey is just one of thousands of commuters who have opted for a greener, cheaper and healthier mode of transport. “I prefer to ride the 6km to work, which takes me 14 minutes instead of the half-hour it takes in the car,” he said.

Elliot Fishman, from industry group Cycling Promotion Fund, said the first three-quarters of the year showed a boom in bike sales. “Compared to the first three-quarters of 2007, sales are actually up by about 45,000 bikes,” he said. “That’s in stark contrast to the car industry.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1.05 million cars were sold in Australia last year, compared with almost 1.5million bikes.

Mr Fishman said last year’s record 1.42 million bike sales would probably be equalled or broken this year, with bikes expected to outsell cars by about 400,000.

“There’s a lot more awareness now about the role that transport plays in our greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “Being able to use a carbon-free form of transport is something that’s starting to appeal to Australians.”

Mr Fishman said while fewer bikes were being sold in the $2000 to $3000 price bracket, there had been a significant increase in sales of $400 to $800 bikes.

Sydney City Council has committed $70 million to build cycling networks over the next four years to cope with the surge in popularity.

Additional reporting: Matthew Clayfield

Youtube, Bike Shops, & Australia

cellbikes — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:06:44 +0000

With YouTube becoming as popular as Google for information, if not THE most popular way to view information, many businesses are taking advantage of this social medium to get their message across or to promote themselves.

However, unlike most businesses, a Sydney based bike shop, CELL Bikes, uses YouTube as a way to collect videos and information ‘favourited’ by its staff, to be shared with like-minded browsers.

CELL Bikes YouTube channel is a collection of comedy, music videos and various how-to videos that its staff have added over the course of their browsing .

Some of the shared music can be as diverse as Kanye West to KillSwitch Engage, while having videos on ‘how-to open a drinking coconut’ or videos of Lance Armstrong riding a fixed gear bike through Austin, Texas.

Instead of trying to sell you something, CELL is trying to share…

Quite a novel concept!

2009 Shimano Dura Ace available first in Australia at Cell Bikes

cellbikes — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:05:43 +0000

Sydney, Australia - December 02, 2008 – With Shimano officially releasing its new and totally redesigned 7900 Dura-Ace groupset, introducing some new technologies to cycling as well.

Cell Bikes in Stanmore, Sydney is the first bike shop stock the all new 09 model Dura Ace group sets. People can order from their online bike shop www.cellbikes.com.au. According to General Manager John Coffey, some of them already sent to pre-order customers, who waiting up to 3 month.

The new FC-79 Dura-Ace Crankset is 20% stiffer and 15 grams lighter. Other advances include redesigned chainring teeth for more efficient power transfer and contact.

ST-7900 Dura-Ace Dual Control Levers feature a shifting stroke for the rear derailleur that has been shortened by 20% for faster shifts along with an integrated reach adjuster which offers more reach adjustment for riders with smaller hands.

The CN-7900 Dura-Ace Chain uses hollow pins and is 18 grams lighter.

The RD-7900 Dura-Ace Rear Derailleur has a new carbon fiber pulley cage and is 16 grams lighter and can accept a 28 tooth maximum cog.

The FD-7900 Dura-Ace Front Derailleur features a redesigned, more efficient wide linkage and optimised spring tension for reduced shifting effort.

BR-7900 Dura-Ace Brakes have increased their dry stopping power by 20% while weighing 30 grams per pair less.

The CS-7900 Dura-Ace Cassette is lighter by 10 grams and is more rigid.

Cell Bikes Bike Sharing System

cellbikes — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:37:44 +0000

Cell Bikes has a bike leasing program on the design table.

Sydney, Australia-December 04, 2008-A Sydney based bike company Cell Bikes has been working on a commuter bike sharing system to provide a environmentally friendly option to Australian Cities, Universities, Resorts and Organizations interested in this kind of solution. The system comprises of: the bike, the docking station, the street kiosk, the Internet website, and the maintenance/distribution logistics.
The bike will utilize state of the art design and materials. It uses the Shimano Nexus 8 speed drivetrain and brakes for low maintenance and long term durability. The rider has an upright position on a comfortable saddle, a large range of adjustments to suit 90% of all cyclists, the tyres have an anti-puncture compound, and a front hub generator to power a set of front and rear lights while the bicycle is in motion. A front basket and rear rack provides some light cargo capabilities for handbags, groceries, briefcases, etc. A lightweight coil lock will be used to secure the bike when needed.
The use of a helmet is compulsory in Australia, and will be available with the bike for public use, however, riders will be encouraged to use their own helmet, as a helmet is personal item.
The dock station has a small footprint, uses a smart card or PIN codes for access, comprises of low maintenance materials with anti-vandalism features, and can be of help to riders and pedestrians alike providing zone maps, a UV ray alert sign, and the ability to be connected to the power grid or use solar power for its operation.
The website provides the technological platform for registration, data security, bike deposit and payments, and a very strong customer service section as an interface with common problems and situations, has the ability to be used in several languages and provides real time information about bikes and dock availability at other stations.
Maintenance is carried out by trained mobile mechanics in vans that provide logistics in the field, as well as restocking bike quantities where needed. This mobile servicing unit will carry all spares and items needed to fix or repair on any bike, as well as sanitize helmets.

The CityRide commuter system features a modular design, and can be configured for a second generation program, or a third generation program according to community needs. A second generation program allows access to a bike after you have deposited a $2 coin, for indiscriminant use inside a campus, a resort, or other confined area. A third generation program, in which the individual has to register, make a contract, and pay a deposit for access to any bike at any available location using it for free the first 30 minutes, and a small fee for subsequent 30 minute segments in the general area of the City before being returned to a dock station. Local residents and tourists are entitled to use the system.

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For more information about this topic, please contact Mario Ciaramellano at 02 9565 1899, e-mail at: mario@cellbikes.com.au or website at www.cellbikes.com.au