Mike Donner, manager at the Jamestown Cycle Shop, is pictured earlier this week among empty racks where bicycles typically sit. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused bike sales to jump while supply disruptions has made getting new product in difficult. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Rows of largely empty bicycle racks have been lining the inside of the Jamestown Cycle Shop.

At Hollyloft Ski, Bike & Snowboard Shop in West Ellicott where new and used bikes that typically take up copious amounts of showroom space now sit largely open.

Area bike shops, like others across the country, are having a hard time keeping product and accessories in stock. It’s largely due to a combination of factors: more Americans are turning to bikes amid the COVID-19 pandemic to get moving outdoors and supply chains used to keep local stores stocked during the busy time of the year have been disrupted due to the virus.

“This is all new territory,” said Les Johnson, owner of Hollyloft at 600 Fairmount Ave., who has seen a jump in sales the last two months but now faces uncertainty with fewer bikes coming in with demand at a peak. “We’ve been busy for two months now, busier than normal for spring time. People have been forced to stay at home, and what better way to get outdoors and get some fresh air?”

Not only are bikes flying off the shelves, but accessories including helmets, chains and tires are selling as well.

Pictured is the showroom inside Hollyloft Ski, Bike & Snowboard Shop in West Ellicott. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

“We’re scrambling to find accessories,” Johnson said. “We’re selling all our helmets, and we’re having a hard time getting tires.”

The situation is similar at the Jamestown Cycle Shop, where sales have increased this spring. Manager Mike Donner said in May 2019, the 10 Harrison St. store sold 62 bikes. In May of this year, 110 bikes were sold.

Donner noted that almost 165 bikes have been on back order, and it’s not clear when that product will find its way to Jamestown. He said companies that produce bike brands such as Trek closed for a time due to the pandemic, cutting off new supply that is trickling down to local bike shops.

“None were being manufactured, so stock got depleted,” said Donner, noting that accessory items have also dried up at the Cycle Shop.

Most in demand are adult mountain bikes and adult comfort bikes. However, it appears just about everything is selling, including kids bikes, as evident by rows of mostly empty racks inside the store. In the past, Donner said he liked to keep the racks full at all times; if one bike sold, another would be put in its place.

Pictured is the showroom inside Hollyloft Ski, Bike & Snowboard Shop in West Ellicott. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

“I’ve never seen a need like this for new bikes,” Donner said.

In Warren, Pa., bike sales began to jump as early as April at the Warren Cycle Shop.

“It really started in April when this all hit and people were looking to get out because the gyms were closed,” said Andy Georgakis, Warren Cycle Shop manager. “People still wanted to get outdoors.”

Sales have included all types of bikes, including mountain bikes, recreational bikes and even hybrids. Georgakis said the local markets has “pretty much dried up” since the pandemic took hold.

“We have a large backorder waiting to replenish our stock,” he said. “Our used bikes largely sold out.”

Warren’s surge in bike sales comes as PeopleForBikes — a bike advocacy group — named the city as the 64th most bike-friendly community in the nation. For bike safety, Warren came in at No. 1.

The organization combined data on crashes involving injury or death with information about how safe people feel when riding to come up with the safety score. In general, the scores are based on publicly available data and PeopleForBikes’ research tools, according to PFB.

Allegheny Outfitters does not sell bikes, but the Warren store does provide maintenance. Owner Piper VanOrd said because Allegheny Outfitters only started providing maintenance within the last year, it’s tough to gauge if an increase in bike sales has translated to more business. Nonetheless, she said there is a 12-13 day wait for customers to get their bikes in for work.

“We definitely have a lot of bikes coming in,” VanOrd said.