30% leap in bike sales as workers get into pedal power

YOU wouldn’t have believed it could happen five years ago – but the country is now enjoying something of a two-wheeled revolution with the neighbourhood bike shop reporting 30% sales increases in the past year.

The Department of the Environment’s cycle to work Scheme is being partly credited with the success, but bike shops in Dublin, Cork and Galway say that sales are increasing independently as more people cycle as a leisure activity, to save money or to keep fit.

The cycle scheme launched by the Government enables workers to buy tax-free bikes and accessories to a maximum value of €1,000, saving employees up to €400.