Belgian Cycling Factory (Belgium) - Belgian Cycling Factory, umbrella company of Ridley and Eddy Merckx, launches a webshop where it sells and delivers bicycles directly to consumers. With this, it wants to guide all its Belgian bicycle shops through this difficult period.

"COVID-19 is hurting a very large part of our bicycle stores, like all regular stores for that matter. Logical, because that's what’s needed to defeat the virus. Nevertheless, we cannot simply ignore the cries for help from several of our dealers," says Jochim Aerts, CEO of Belgian Cycling Factory.

"In order to support our Belgian dealer network in the best possible way, we have therefore decided to open an online shop for consumers. The Belgian consumer can buy online, and we deliver the bike to their home the next working day," says Jochim Aerts, "The government already made a call 2 weeks ago to make sure they keep practicing sports. Cycling plays a crucial role in this. Well, every Belgian who is looking for a bike can count on us.”

The web shop has been set up in such a way that the consumer is obliged to select a bike shop as service point during checkout. The selected bicycle mechanic will also receive his usual margin of the bike sold. Even though he does not have to spend any time on that consumer.

"We have named the web shop #GOFIT19. A happier hashtag that will hopefully soon be able to overcome that of COVID-19," explains Jochim Aerts, "We are also going to donate EUR 19 per bike sold, to Rehabilitation and MS Centre in Pelt. They helped Stig Broeckx so well after that terrible accident and the Maria Hospital North Limburg is also fighting a fantastic battle. They deserve this support more than ever!