Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative is a bicycle retailer with three stores across Scotland and two stores in Northern England, and an online store selling worldwide.[1][2]

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative Limited

Trade name	Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative
Formerly	Recycles Co-operative (until 1985)
Type	Worker cooperative
Industry	Bicycle industry
Founded	Edinburgh, Scotland (1977 (1977))
Founder	Chris Hill Gerry Murray Morag Ogilvie
Headquarters	Edinburgh , Scotland, UK
Number of locations	5 stores (2018)
Area served	Aberdeen Edinburgh Leeds Newcastle
Services	Sales of bicycles and cycling accessories Bicycle repair
Revenue	£12m
Number of employees	170
Website	edinburghbicycle.com

The co-operative is the longest established worker co-operative in Scotland,[3] having originally been founded as a bicycle repair service in Edinburgh in 1977.[4] In recent years the co-operative has grown to be, arguably, the dominant bicycle retailer in Scotland, with the largest bicycle stores in each respective city.[5][6]

The business offers products from many leadings brands including Specialized, Whyte, Brompton, Kalkhoff, Frog and Giant.[7]

Stores

Edinburgh Bruntsfield

The longest established of all Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative stores is the Bruntsfield bike shop: to be found in a Victorian building on Whitehouse Loan, skirted by The Meadows Cyclepath and overlooking the Bruntsfield Links.

Since its opening in 1979, the Bruntsfield shop has grown in size and reputation, winning the coveted "Best Bike Shop in the UK Award in 2017 by Cycling Weekly.[8][9]

Along with a comprehensive retail offering of bikes, accessories, clothing and components, the Bruntsfield shop also offers bike repairs and servicing.

Edinburgh Canonmills

The Canonmills store in Edinburgh is found on Rodney Street, Edinburgh. The bike shop became an Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative store in 2013, previously it traded as City Cycles and then The Bike Chain.

In addition to its retail offering of bicycles, accessories, clothing and components, the Canonmills shop also offers bike repairs and servicing.

Aberdeen

The Aberdeen shop on George Street was the top voted Bike Shop in Aberdeen by Cycling Weekly in 2017.[8][9] Trading as Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative since 2002, previously it was called Cycling World.

Full bike servicing and repairs are offered alongside a retail offering of bikes, clothing, components and accessories.

Leeds

In Chapel Allerton, just behind Kiwk Fit, you'll find the Leeds store. In 2017, it was voted the Best Bike Shop in Yorkshire by Cycling Weekly.[8][9]

The Leeds bike shop offers full bike servicing and repairs as well as a retail offering including bicycles, components, accessories and clothes.

Newcastle

Trading as an Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative store since 2003, the Newcastle store traded under the name Hardisty Cycles. In 2017, the Newcastle store was named as Best Bike Shop in the North East by Cycling Weekly.[8][9]

In addition to selling a range of bikes, components, clothing and accessories the Newcastle store also offers bike servicing and repairs.

Online Store

As well as five branches, Edinburgh Bicycle also operates an online store.[7] The website allows customers to buy a range of bicycles, components, accessories and clothing which can be delivered for in-store pickup or direct to the customer. International delivery is also available.

Bicycles

Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative sells a range of bicycles including electric bikes and electric cargo bikes.[7] Many of these bikes are available to demo.

Road Bikes

Both in store and online their range of road bikes include cross-gravel, endurance, aero/race, adventure, mix-terrain and flat bar. Brands stocked include Cervelo, Genesis, Specialized, Whyte, Giant and Liv.

Electric Road Bikes

New for 2019/2020, they also now stock Electric Road Bikes from Whyte and Specialized.

Mountain Bikes

Both full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes are available from brands including Specialized, Whyte, Giant and Liv.

Electric Mountain Bikes

E-MTBs are gaining popularity and the range stocked online and in store including Merida, Specialized, Whyte, Giant and Liv. Prices start at around £2,000 and monthly payment options are available.

Hybrid Bikes

For commuting, every day riding and for pleasure, the hybrid - or commuter - bike range is comprehensive and includes brands such as Brompton, Kalkhoff, Specialized, Whyte and Ridgeback.

Electric Hybrid Bikes

In a variety of frame styles, electric hybrids from brands such as Brompton, Whyte, Specialized and Kalkhoff are available.

Electric Cargo Bikes

These are new for 2019/2020 and their range includes traditional style front loaded e-cargo bikes from Riese & Muller as well as compact e-cargo bikes from Tern.

Kids Bikes

Leading kids bike brand Frog Bikes as well as Ridgeback, Giant and Whyte make up the kids bike offering. In the run up to Christmas, they run a £10 deposit scheme on all kids bikes allowing customers to reserve their bike and get free storage until Christmas but without having to pay straight away.

References

1. "About Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op". Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
2. "Edinburgh bike co-operative 'to create 140 jobs'". BBC News. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
3. Simon, Giles (24 May 2012). "Going through the gears: how Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative has grown". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
4. Voinea, Anca (24 September 2013). "Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op: 'The revolution will not be motorised'". Co-operative News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
5. Giles Simon (25 May 2012). "Going through the gears: how Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative has grown". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
6. "Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative". Co-operatives UK. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
7. "Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op | Buy Bikes and Cycling Kit". www.edinburghbicycle.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
8. "Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op voted Britain's Best Bike Shop - Edinburgh Bicycle Coop". Edinburgh Bicycle Coop. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
9. "Britain's Best Bike Shop 2017: Winner and results revealed - Cycling Weekly". Cycling Weekly. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2018.