‘It’s just patience at this point’: El Paso cycling business adapts as pandemic bike shortage continues

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — It has been just about a year since bike shops nationwide saw shelves cleared and inventory drop. Now, some business owners say shortages still have not stopped.

U.S. Census data shows more Americans have been riding bikes during the pandemic too and prices have gone up. Researchers cite increased popularity and limited supply. 

Roberto Barrio, the owner of El Paso's Crazy Cat Cyclery shop, said his store has had difficulty securing accessories and parts for repairs and service. New bikes, he said, are just trickling in. 

“If they're not on a waiting list then they're going to be waiting til there's open inventory,” Barrio said. “I think that's going to be some time around the fourth quarter this year or early next year.”

Barrio said supply chain issues started last summer and he thought they would be resolved by now. His store has turned to new services to maintain customers throughout services. During the pandemic, Crazy Cat Cyclery added mobile service, pick up and delivery options and custom bike builds.

Barrio also said the store has turned to refurbishing and selling used bikes to compensate for the decrease in new inventory.

“I hope people don't lose interest in cycling because of the shortages in inventory,” he said. “It’s just patience at this point as we slowly come out of this post-pandemic slump we're in as far as manufacturing is concerned.”