One of the most popular activities these days, with many fitness clubs still closed, is bicycle riding.
But good luck finding a bike, if you don't have one!
Thinking of buying a bicycle this year? Good luck!
Just like with everything in high demand right now, it won't be easy.
Toilet paper, beef and now bicycles are the latest item in short supply.
"I needed a bike, I checked Target, I checked every store available."
Scott doesn’t own a car and he bikes to work and the grocery store.
But when he went to buy a new bicycles, he found empty shelves at Target and Walmart.
"I was shocked to see aisles empty of bikes, tires, accessories," Scott said.
Even Amazon was out of bikes for under $400.
So he was forced to break the bank for this specialized brand bike for $600.
Your best bet right now: an independent local bike shop where yes, you will pay a little bit more but you will get better quality.
"We have some of these specialized bikes," bicycle shop owner Jason Reser said, adding he has never seen bikes in such demand.
"We've been getting phone calls, two or three a day, from California, Texas, the East Coast," Reser said. "Basically, some cities are completely out of bikes."
The reason Reser says is that people are avoiding mass transit, as well as wanting a family activity during the pandemic.
But unless you buy used, he says expect to pay $500 to $1,000 right now, surprising Scott about the high cost.
"I had one credit card left with a little bit of money on it and that was going to be my last purchase," he said.
But these days, you can't be too choosy.
If you can't afford $500 or more, check Goodwill, Craiglist and Facebook Marketplace for decent used bikes.
Check around, so you don't waste your money.
