Amid high gas prices, some Windsorites turn to bikes — if they can find one

With gas prices rising, and the weather warming, in Windsor-Essex, residents are turning to bikes to save some money and get around the area.

If they can find one, that is.

"There's a bike shortage still," said Mark Long, co-owner of Infinity Cycle in Windsor. "COVID created this shortage, and COVID is the reason why we're still having the shortage. Manufacturers are having trouble getting product out onto the showroom floor."

During a recent interview with CBC News, Infinity Cycle had just a handful of bikes in stock. Usually, the floor is filled with "nice, shiny" new bikes," Long said.

But despite the low stock, interest is high, he said.

"A lot of people are looking for a bike to commute," Long said. "They figure if they can even cut their commute by half, so two to three days a week, maybe they ride your bike to work. That makes a lot of sense for for most people."

The shop is busy with repair work, however — with new bike inventory so low, some people are fixing up their older bikes — and parts are available for now, although he expects that may change, as well.

But it's not for a lack of trying, Long said.

"Normally, we deal with just a couple bike companies and a couple parts suppliers," he said. "But in our attempt to to get more product in now, we're at about six by companies and in probably the same number of parts suppliers, as well."

"Just, you know, trying to find things."

Interest at Bike Windsor Essex is also high, said executive director Laurie Newton.

"We're definitely having a lot of people come in who are becoming more serious about their cycling," she said. "They want to replace some of their car driving with riding a bike, so they're contacting us to figure out routes."

More-modern bikes suitable for commuting are also in high demand, Newton said.

"A lot of people are on very old, very heavy mountain bikes," she said. "They're coming in here and they're looking at our gravel bikes that are a little bit faster, a little bit lighter and a more-comfortable ride."