"Quand on partait de bon matin, quand on partait sur les chemins". Montand loved his bicycle. Just like you do. Determined, this New Year, to get into the business of renting bicycles, classic or electric. "Yes, but", says that little voice in your head. What if you needed training, a diploma, to open a bike store? Lokki helps you to silence the naughty genie that's been thwarting your desires.
Bicycles, biclous, bécanes, bicycles, little queens, tandems. That's all you dream about at night. An ocean of spokes. A tsunami of wheels. A cascade of helmets, from the most designer to the lightest. An avalanche of rims of every color and size, to adorn the ceiling of the beautiful boutique you've already imagined decorating.
Because your mind is made up. In 2023, you'll open your own bike store. For some, it's a desire to finally make a living from that all-consuming passion for two wheels, born when, three apples high, you were taking your first bowls in the bends of the family driveway.
For others, it's entrepreneurial flair, the desire to invest in a sector that you know has potential. It's true that it's become hard to ignore this "cycling transition", which began a decade ago and has literally exploded thanks to the health crisis (including bike rentals, by the way).
Bicycle rental: a growth market
"2021, année du vélo", was the headline two years ago by Le Monde journalist Olivier Razemon, author of the blog L'interconnexion n'est plus assurée" ("Interconnection is no longer assured")on soft mobility, pointing out that the bicycle had never been so much talked about or worked for in France. But why so much love? For the journalist, this boom is the result of a combination of 3 factors:
- The explosion in demand from citizens, eager to embrace a lifestyle that is less costly for the environment, has led to the emergence and structuring of the Provélo movement, aimed at making cycling accessible to all.
- Massive investment by the French government (bicycle plan, construction of footbridges, paths, junctions and dedicated parking facilities) and, above all, by elected representatives such as Nicolas Mercat, Boris Ravignon and Isabelle Lesens. In June 2022, a Bicycle Alliance was created, bringing together users, local authorities and economic players. Its aim is to promote the economic, social and health potential of cycling.
- The proliferation of university and academic studies, analyses and articles on the subject, such as urban planner Clément Dusong's thesis on the rise of cycling in the Paris suburbs, or Cerema's guide Rendre sa voirie cyclable. These writings extol the virtues of an "ecological transition based on serene sobriety and aim to identify the opportunities associated with this burgeoning sector.
Do I need a diploma to open a bike store?
So no, you're not on the wrong track. The bicycle, electric bike and bike rental markets are exploding. But to open your own bike or e-bike store, do you need a diploma or training?
There's no need to make your heart race any longer. No. No training or diploma is required to open a bike store. You can open this business just as you can sell anchovies from Uzbekistan. The only rules that govern your project are in fact those of any business activity:
- market research,
- competitive analysis,
- business plan,
- choice of business concept,
- choosing your company's legal form,
- location of premises...
Training, an asset for opening a bike store
That said, if you don't want to look like a pinpin if one of your customers, a Tour de France fanatic, asks you about the origin of the frames on your bikes, if you think that the VAE is a diploma equivalence system, or if you want to repair your bikes yourself, there are training courses dedicated to learning to ride a bike, which you can finance with yourPersonal Training Account (CPF). These include
- Sup de Vélo, which offers apprenticeship programs (diploma and non-degree) for managers, salespeople and technicians, either as part of a continuous training program or under an apprenticeship contract.
- Bicycle training institute, which trains professional framers and cycle mechanics. Very useful if you want to offer more than just dry hire, such as sightseeing tours or sporting excursions.
- CNPC, a school 100% dedicated to the sports business and industry (several campuses in France), which trains future technicians, salespeople and managers in the sports sector, through initial training, work-study programs or continuing education.
💡 Please note: make sure the training course has been awarded the Qualiopi label, and don't hesitate to call the training center to find out more about the curricula and qualifications offered. And don't forget to contact former students via the networks to make sure the training center is serious.
