Pickering as a major cycling destination was the hot topic when MP Kevin Hollinrake visited Big Bear Bikes and Dalby Forest Cycle Hub this week.
Mr Hollinrake was welcomed by our Managing Director David Beeley, an electric cycling and mountain biking enthusiast and a keen advocate for leisure and tourism in the Ryedale area.
He talked to David about how our range of bikes, including brands like Trek, Haibike and Frog, attracts customers from outside the area to visit, as well as serving customers from across North Yorkshire.
Speaking to David and the Big Bear Bikes team, Mr Hollinrake was keen to hear how the local bike shop contributes to the area’s economy and the success of Pickering and the surrounding area.
Mr Hollinrake said: “I was delighted to visit Big Bear Bikes in Pickering today, an independent cycling shop and repair workshop. Located on the edge of prime mountain biking territory, Dalby Forest, it boasts a variety of displays including road bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes and children's bikes.
“The incredible rise in cycling in Yorkshire in the past few years, most notably due to the Tour de Yorkshire, has given a welcome boost to North Yorkshire's tourist economy. The pandemic sadly meant the Tour had to be put on pause, so it's ever more important to support North Yorkshire as a cycling destination all year round.
“Last year, I took part in a local charity bike ride and there is truly no better way to show support for the tourism and hospitality industry than to cycle around this constituency and drop into the numerous locally-run cafes and pubs as you do so. I'd encourage anyone who's not visited Pickering as a cycling destination to do so this summer.”
At the Dalby Forest store, Mr Hollinrake went for a test ride on an electric mountain bike for the first time and was very impressed at how they make cycling a fun, leisure activity for everybody, not just for very fit cyclists. Next year he is going to hire an e-bike for his charity ride.
As one of the leading independent bike shops in Yorkshire and sister store of Dalby Forest Cycle Hub CIC, Big Bear Bikes is hugely invested in supporting Pickering and the Ryedale area’s leisure and tourism aspirations.
The team are also firm believers in the power of riding to have a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health. Their motto is “Ride Your Bike. Have Fun. Feel Great.”
David said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Hollinrake to Big Bear Bikes and Dalby Forest Cycle Hub today and to talk to him about the importance of cycling to leisure and tourism in North Yorkshire.
“Independent local businesses have a very important role to play in the community and the region as a whole and I was delighted that our local MP has taken such an interest in what we do.”
