Bicycling Trade
To the Editor
Cycling Promotion Fund – A Future For Us All.
It’s good to read letters and comment in the December issue of Bicycling Trade calling for increased cooperation between IBDs (Independent Bicycle Dealers). In the 12 years I’ve been running our shop, I’ve not thought of the IBD’s as our competition. I’ve always considered our competition to be the mass merchants (low end) and internet based sellers (high end).
I’ve been a member of the RCTA a couple of times but have felt disappointed that it was not a forum for communication between retailers. Over the years of reading what’s happening in the trade, the most exciting development, for me, was the establishment of the Cycling Promotion Fund. It is forward thinking and active. My only disappointment in the first couple of years was that, being a retailer, I couldn’t be a member.
However, about 18 months ago I received an invitation to become a supporter of the Fund for an annual contribution of $500. Great idea. Not, however, as inspiring as the membership arrangement which involves payment of 0.25% of turnover. So I contacted Rosemary Spiedel to ask if membership was possible for me, and it turned out that it was.
So now I’m proudly paying one quarter of one percent of turnover into a fund that is working towards bringing together the disparate groups in our society involved in some way with bicycles and bicycling, and is working towards developing Australian culture beyond its current servitude to the car to one in which bicycles and bicycling have a place in our general psyche.
This, apart from improving our society and environment, also ensures the survival of the IBD.
The reason I write is this. We remain the ONLY retail member of the CPF. That only a handful of wholesalers are members of the CPF is disappointing, but we as retailers can, apart from switching our support towards CPF member wholesalers, join the fund ourselves. That someone else “should” join up first is irrelevant. And, although the sum involved yearly can be substantial, it represents $1 on a $400 bike. What customer will complain when they learn where some of their money is going?
So, JOIN UP! Let’s improve Australia for ourselves and for all.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Rote