Businesses across the UK cycling industry are being urged to participate in the first Cycle Industry Census – a landmark poll run by the industry trade association to set priorities and inform discussion with Government.
All in the UK cycle industry are invited to take part, be that as a retailer, distributor, manufacturer, hire operator, insurer, service provider, trainer or event organiser, or any other cycle industry business.
The Census is open now, runs until 8th August 2021, and all can be counted by participating at this link or click below:
Cycle industry businesses need have no concerns about privacy. All questions are optional, and the Cycle Industry Census is being conducted by an independent company, Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS), on behalf of the Bicycle Association. SMS will hold all data securely and only release aggregated results. Individual responses will not be released to anyone, even to the BA.
Incentives for all who complete the Census
As a thank-you for completing the survey, all who complete it will be offered three months free access to the BA’s “Market Insights” newsletter, providing unique summary insights into the latest UK sales data.
All who complete the survey can also opt in for a chance to win one of ten prizes to be drawn at random: either a three-month upgrade to the top Gold access level (for those already taking part in the Market Data Service) or, for non-participants, there’s a chance to win a three-month free MDS trial. Each of these 10 prizes would (for either option) normally cost between £2000 and £4000 for a medium sized business.
The not-for-profit cycle industry trade association, the Bicycle Association (BA), has commissioned the Census for three key reasons:
- To gather industry-wide data on the scale, activities and capability of the UK cycle industry to convince Government of cycling’s economic contribution, locally and nationally, ahead of major spending decisions
- To learn about the priorities of all in the industry so that these priorities can be fully represented at industry level
- And to look to the future and ask how the industry should prepare.
The Census marks the first time that an industry-wide survey will gather both data and opinions from businesses across the sector. The BA’s Executive Director, Steve Garidis, said:
“This Census is an unprecedented opportunity for the industry to help drive the collective actions we need to keep cycling growing even as lockdowns ease. Our contacts in Government expect us to have a deep knowledge of all sectors of the UK industry and how they can help deliver cycling growth: this Census will equip us with the answers.
We also want to hear the industry’s priorities when it comes to supporting growth. We ask, for example, about what we should prioritise from Government when it comes to driving e-bike uptake. We ask how we can work together to tackle cycle theft, and to improve industry recruitment and careers, and much more.
To our knowledge, this is the first time many of these questions have been asked of the whole industry, from the smallest one-person retailer to the largest distributor. The answers will make a real difference – so thank you in advance for your participation.”
More about the Census and the BA’s retailer engagement
In an “Open letter on retail”, the BA’s David Middlemiss explains more about how the Census is key to bringing retailers’ expertise and resources to bear on the industry’s advocacy work to grow cycling. It’s published in BikeBiz:
It need be completed only once per business: The Census is being widely promoted via industry channels, including communications from major brands among the Bicycle Association membership, to reach the widest possible audience. Businesses may well receive several invitations to participate, but it need be completed only once. For businesses with multiple locations, it would be ideal if the head office could complete it for the whole business, but it will do no harm at all if other members of staff at branch offices also participate.