“Cycling which was yesterday the fad of the few is to-day the pastime of the many; it has brought wealth to the wayside town and village, has given a new industry to the country, and by taking the place of more expensive forms of locomotion has facilitated in various ways the carrying on of trade.” –The Lancet, July 11, 1896.
Who needs bike shops that are only interested in pushing the latest fancy bling?
Is bike hire profitable? I dunno, but the local bike shop that offers a bike hire service should treat it as seriously as any other part of their business. Maybe even more so.