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BIKES

Bicycle shops see increase in thefts, burglaries -- some losing up to 40K worth in bikes

Surveillance cameras at Pearland Bicycles showed three crooks break into the shop at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Video shows the men pulling up to the business in a white truck. Video shows one the thieves getting out with a crowbar to pry open the glass door, causing it to shatter. Looks like one of them, he went to the restroom, said Pearland Bicycles owner Daryl Catching. One of their bikes should turn up somewhere and maybe that will lead to whoever got them.The shops have a list of the stolen bikes and their serial numbers.

How safe is it to rent bikes during the pandemic?

HOUSTON BCycle has been open throughout the pandemic because they were considered an essential business since they provide a mode of transportation. If you live near one of their 109 stations, youve probably noticed ridership is up. Were always setting aside time to clean our bikes when they come in the shop, clean our stations in the field, but given the pandemic, we really stepped up those measures immensely to make sure that were keeping our staff safe as they work and our riders as safe as possible, Martin explained. While they cant clean between each rider, she said cleaning every station and focusing on the 10 busiest stations, is keeping you safe. BCycle asks riders to take their own precautions: wash your hands or sanitize after every time you use a bike.

‘The new toilet paper:’ Bikes are flying off shelves, overwhelming shops

As unemployment reaches record levels and small businesses scramble to survive, bike shops have been an exception. A recent survey from the National Bicycle Dealers Association found that 83% of shops are concerned about their inventory levels. "We're usually a pretty slow, chill shop," Attayi said. Bike shop owners say that the closing of gyms and yoga studios during the pandemic has contributed. "Bike shop owners are also wondering how long the current boom will last.