BICYCLES IN DEMAND

Evening Star, Issue 24081, 30 December 1941, Page 2

BICYCLES IN DEMAND

NOT ENOUGH TO GO ROUND There are wheels within wheels, so far as tho cycle trade in Dunedin—and elsewhere in tho Dominion—is concerned, for the demand for the oncehumblc push-bike since the petrol restrictions have been tightened up has increased four-fold and more. So great has it been, indeed, that unless some of tho dealers are lucky enough to receive fresh stocks shortly, there will be neither a new nor a second-hand machine on sale in Dunedin in tho new year. Shortage of stock extends to parts, so that dealers are faced with tho difficulty of reconstructing many of those second-hand machines which they may have on hand. When it is remembered that the cost of .bicycles, as of everything else, has increased considerably, it can be seen that these abnormal purchases are a necessity. Business men, finding their cars useless without “gas,” are investing in cycles; country storekeepers are ordering for the same reason, while the womenfolk are also buying largely —whether or no because it has become “the fashion” cannot be said. So far there has been no suggestion of impressment of bicycle stocks in Dunedin. In any case if such a pronouncement were made now it would bo of 'little use to the Government, which would find itself in a similar position to that of Mother Hubbard and her dog.