Hey guys,
Luke here, reporting from level 5 lockdown in South Africa.
Firstly, a HUGE thank you to everyone who have placed an order on the online store! Whether you've bought a new whip or a couple face masks, your support has literally been the lifeboat that has floated us through a month of closed bike shop blues.
The team will be full speed ahead, building and shipping your orders as soon as we're allowed to do so. Currently, that is only at level 3. That is, unless the government opens their eyes and sees the massive health benefit and freedom that bicycles allow while keeping the virus at bay. (They've done a valiant job thus far, thank you Cyril)
Obviously all industries right now have an argument why they should be opened up first. With your back against the wall, everyone is fighting for their income and their business. But the opportunity with our two wheeled machines is far greater than just selling a few more bicycles: It's on opportunity to instil a bicycle mindset among commuters. Opening bicycle shops along with hardware will encourage bicycle users to either repair their old bike or hookup a new one and will keep crowds on busses and taxis minimised and change the way our country views a bicycle. Cycling is not just for the weekend tour-de-fifty-grand-bicycle-machine. It’s for everyone and everyone should be riding right now, more than ever.
A statement from the World Health Organisation: "
“While cities around the world are introducing a broad range of measures to limit physical contacts to prevent and slow down the COVID-19 pandemic, many people might still have a need to move around cities to reach their workplaces when possible, meet essential daily needs or provide assistance to vulnerable people.
Whenever feasible, consider riding bicycles or walking: this provides physical distancing while helping to meet the minimum requirement for daily physical activity, which may be more difficult due to increased teleworking, and limited access to sport and other recreational activities’’.
We've put our suggestion forward, but as it stands, we'll be able to open up the workshop and start shipping at level 3. And the retail store to the public level 2.
Thank you all for being so patient and for the continued support. For the continued wait time, we're including a Rook Cycles face mask with all new bicycles purchased in lockdown.
We cannot wait to get back on the road, it might not be as a group, but it will be sweeter than sweet to go pedal in the fresh air again.
Ride on! (soon)
Luke
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