The Bike Shed moves up a gear with relocation right between UCC and CIT

It’s a new phase of a business cycle: a surge in cycling activity in Irish cities, fuelled by schemes such as Bike to Work and bike sharing City Bikes with multiple docking stations has prompted a four-year old Cork city cycles business to relocate, and expand.

Having spent more than a year searching for an affordable city centre premises for his burgeoning Bike Shed business, cycling aficionado Cillian Read has opted to move to the western suburbs.

He has located between Cork’s two third level colleges UCC and CIT, opening a 1,300 sq ft depot at Unit 12, College Commercial Park at Dennehys Cross, near Ramen and Tesco Express.

Ironically, Bike Shed which currently employs three is moving in with a number of motor-related traders, auto factors, mechanics, etc.

“The time to move seems right — there’s a surge in cyclists in Cork, the Bike to Work scheme has been very beneficial in getting people out of their cars; it’s good for the environment, there’s nothing like it for positive mental and physical health — and it’s good on their pockets,” says Read, who started the Bike Shed after being laid off as a hydrographic surveyor in 2011.

“The introduction of the Coca Cola bike share scheme means there’s more and more people getting into the ‘two wheels good, four wheels bad’ concept. And that’s positive for us,” he adds.

Bike Shed does repairs and recycles, rentals, buy-back schemes for students, advice and accessories, plus sales from balance bikes for toddlers to carbon fibre racers, mountain bikes, folding bikes and commuter/touring cycles also.

The move from Long’s Yard by Barrack Street came after a long hunt for a premises to buy or lease in the flat of Cork city, but economic and retail recovery saw values and demand soar.

“We did consider going closer to the city centre but the high price per square foot was daunting.

“Other issues were parking, ease of access for customers, and traffic.

“Here, there’s lots of room for parking and trying out a potential bike purchase,” says Read.

“We were also looking to facilitate our student customers — repairs and student-friendly products and services are a big part of our business, so the proximity to UCC and CIT and all the student accommodation in the area was a big factor in our move.”