Sheffield bike repair shop booked up by stir crazy cyclists

Bike Rehab on Wellington Street in the city centre is still allowed to operate under lockdown restrictions and has seen a stream of customers seeking to take their permitted excercise on two wheels.

The company has made huge changes to cut the risk of infection to staff and others.

It operates a ‘closed door’ appointment-only policy which sees customers park their bike outside and step away. A worker in fresh gloves wraps handlebars and other contact points before working on it. And the four-strong company now just has one staff member on site at once.

Boss Alex Gunn: “Cycling is one of the few things that people can still do. We weren’t surprised to stay open. We saw it in other countries such as Denmark and Spain.

“It’s good because me and Jake have young families to support - and for the longevity of the business.

“Because we’ve only got one member of staff on at once it’s going to take us longer. We’re booked up for the next two weeks.

“All customers are so appreciative that we can keep them on the road. Some are going stir crazy.”

Derbyshire police last week issued a drone video shaming walkers at Curbar Edge who had apparently flouted government rules not to undertake essential travel and to exercise from home.

But Sheffield’s proximity to the Peak District means cyclists can ride into the National Park, on historically quiet roads, while sticking to lockdown regulations.