BRADLEY Wiggins' Tour de France victory could lead to more people taking to two wheels and a boom in sales, Bristol cycle shop owners say.
Wiggins made history when he became the first Brit to win the endurance race since it started more than 100 years ago in 1903.
Tens of thousands cheered him across the finish line in Paris on Sunday having proved himself the fastest man over the energy-sapping 20 stage, 2,173 mile course.
Both Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg are said to be backing calls for Wiggins to receive a knighthood.
In June 2008 Bristol was named the nation's first Cycling City and bike shop owners say they hope Wiggins' heroics – combined with the Olympics and the recent arrival of glorious sunshine – will inspire more residents to take to two wheels.
Ollie Cain, manager at Evans Cycles in Lewins Mead, said: "I can only imagine his efforts will have a positive effect on the image of cycling in the city.
"It is not seen as a mainstream sport in the UK but with Bradley Wiggins' face on the front page of all the newspapers people are seeing that we are producing some of the best cyclists in the world.
"There has been an upsurge in commuting by bike in the last few years but something like this really gets people thinking about whether it is something they could do as well.
"We obviously hope that it has inspired people, leading to more customers coming in and more sales."
Malcolm Chandler, who runs Blackboy Hill Cycles in Clifton, said: "I think his win will be a huge boost for trade especially with the Olympics around the corner and the fact that the sun has come out.
"What Wiggins has done has certainly inspired people – everybody is talking about it because it was such an incredible achievement.
"Hopefully the Olympics will be good to watch as well – it's all good for the trade."
James Shergold, a sales assistant at Specialized Concept Store on Park Street, said he hoped Wiggins' win would not only inspire people to cycle but also have an effect on transport strategy at a higher level.
"I hope it won't just have an effect on the profile of the sport but have an effect on transport policies at a high level," he said.
"Anything that builds the reputation of cycling will get more people out riding. Currently commuting is where the big gains could be made.
"I think we could see more people getting on their bike to go to work.
"Other countries have a culture of cycling to work whereas here it is a novelty. Hopefully the exposure he has given cycling might get people thinking about both the physical and economic benefits of cycling."
Wiggins, 32, now turns his attention to the Olympics where he is targeting glory in the men's road race and the individual time trial. He is a three-time Olympic track champion.
No comments:
Post a Comment