A North West bike maker says sales have reached "Christmas levels" over the past week as people adapts to the coronavirus crisis.
Manchester-based manufacturer Insync Bikes said since the end of last week, bike sales have "rocketed" both in store and online.
Eddie Eccleston, the firm's head of European operations, said it was currently early to determine whether the spike was a short term bubble or a trend, but that he hoped families would start seeing the benefits of cycling to mental and physical health as well as cutting air pollution.
He said demand for bikes is primarily in the price range of £160-£300, being seen in both independent bike shops, which have been allowed by the Government to stay open, as well as online.
He explained: “Initially when the lockdown was first announced we did not see much movement from our bike dealer network.
“Shops were telling us the interest was mainly in repairing bikes as people sought out alternative forms of transport. However, in the last five working days new bike sales have rocketed with independent bike shops selling large numbers of existing stock and ordering new bikes from us.
"Our online sales, via the InsyncBikes.com and Parkers of Bolton websites, meanwhile have also seen a significant spike in the same period. We only usually see this level of interest at Christmas."
He said currently, the firm is managing to keep up with the demand - which the firm believes is driven by key workers wanting an affordable, alternative form of transport for commuting and families wanting to keep fit.
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He added: “But the level of demand is certainly testing as many delivery companies are operating with fewer staff.
"We are keeping our warehouse open, even though some of our staff are off isolating, but we are operational with workers able to work at a safe distance from each other and delivery drivers when they arrive for collections.
"Generally there is a great spirit on the Insync team as we see that our bikes are playing their part in the national effort against the virus and are making a positive difference.”
Mr Eccleston said cycling can be a weapon against the virus, adding: “This is a terrible crisis and we know many people are suffering greatly.
“If anything good can come of it we hope that families can embrace cycling as a force for good.
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"Cycling has been proved to improve immunity and sensitivity to vaccines across age ranges including older people (see notes to editors 2). In addition, it is a great way to relieve stress caused by the awful pressures we are facing.
"In the long term perhaps people will see that cycling is an alternative form of transport for commuting and getting around instead of pollution heavy cars and buses.”
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Insync employs 33 staff at its Manchester sites, and designs its range of bikes in Manchester at its £2m centre. The bikes are then made in India by Insync's parent company Hero Cycles, the world's largest pedal bike manufacturer by volume.
Last week, Insync Bikes launched a special discount deal for NHS and emergency services workers to buy a range of ebikes and roadbikes.