Says a bicycle shop owner
Baghdad’s bicycle market sees decline amid rise of digital entertainment
BAGHDAD — Despite the usual increase in demand for bicycles at the start of the summer holidays, one of Baghdad’s oldest bicycle shops, located in the city’s western district and operating since 1980, has seen a decline in sales.
This drop is attributed to the growing preference among children for electronic devices, a trend indirectly encouraged by parents who are cautious about letting their children play outside. However, some customers continue to uphold the tradition of cycling, passing it down through generations.
Amer Al-Kubaisi, the shop owner, told 964media, “The rush to buy bicycles starts on the last day of final exams and typically slows down by August.”
He added, “Currently, the demand isn’t as high as it was ten years ago. Nowadays, parents prefer their children to stay indoors, using phones and iPads, rather than going out and mingling with others.”
Al-Kubaisi explained that while bicycle prices have remained stable, the variety of brands available includes European, Chinese, and used Japanese models. “The used Japanese bicycles are preferred for their durability, while children are more attracted to the aesthetically appealing Chinese models,” he noted.
In Baghdad’s local markets, prices for size 12 bicycles (for children under five years old) range from 40,000 to 50,000 IQD (30 to 38 USD). Size 16 bicycles (for children over five years old) range from 50,000 to 120,000 IQD (38 to 92 USD), and sizes 20 to 26 (for those over 12 years old) range from 120,000 to 250,000 IQD (92 to 191 USD).
Azzam Khalid, a long-time customer, shared with 964media, “We’ve been buying bicycles since our childhood, and now we purchase them for our children once they’ve finished their exams.”
Khalid emphasized the importance of physical activities, saying, “I encourage my children to engage in physical and traditional games that we used to play. This helps them develop social skills, burn off energy, and stay away from electronic games on tablets.”
He also mentioned that bicycle prices in the market rise at the start of the summer holidays due to high demand, as school time is over, and there are options available for both new and used bicycles.
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