Record sales for Dales after Glasgow 2014 Games

Commonwealth Games spurred sales of bikes for Dales Cycles. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Dales Cycles, founded in 1912, said the city has taken “great strides” in encouraging two-wheeled commuters, with dedicated cycle lanes and a hire scheme akin to London’s “Boris bikes”.

Managing director Debbie Houston said: “Cycling was one of the great success stories of the Commonwealth Games and the road race in particular showcased the city to great effect. It certainly helped to raise the profile of road cycling to an even higher level and we see no sign of slowdown in the surge in popularity of cycling as a competitive sport and as one of the best ways to keep fit.”

Houston, whose grandfather bought the business in the 1950s, said 2014 marked the firm’s “best year ever”, with sales up 5 per cent.

She added that Dales, which has its flagship store on Glasgow’s Dobbies Loan and opened an outlet in East Kilbride in 2011, plans to revamp its website within the next few months. “Having a business model which combines bricks and mortar retailing with online is really important for us,” Houston said.

GARETH MACKIE