Key Facts:
- Major Australian bike and scooter retailer collapses, forcing $2 million worth of stock to auction starting from $1
- Rising petrol prices above $2 per litre driving Australians, including pensioners, toward cheaper transport alternatives
- Over 10,000 new scooters, e-bikes and cycling items to be auctioned across four auctions this weekend
- Safety concerns raised about inexperienced riders being forced onto scooters due to cost-of-living pressures
- Auction comes amid looming new e-bike and e-scooter legislation and increasing pressure on the retail sector
Soaring petrol prices and a brutal cost‑of‑living squeeze are forcing Australians including pensioners, to make desperate transport choices, with some now turning to scooters that are going to auction from as little as $1.
As households feel the pain at the pump, one of Australia's major bike and scooter retailers has collapsed into a multi‑million‑dollar fire sale, dumping thousands of brand‑new bikes, e‑bikes and e‑scooters onto the auction block this week through Lloyds Auctions.
The shock clearance comes as cost-of-living soars and new e‑bike and e‑scooter laws loom, leaving retailers and riders caught in the middle. With transport costs climbing and budgets stretched thin, demand has shifted sharply toward low‑cost mobility, and this auction.
As petrol prices push past the $2 a litre mark in many parts of the country, more Australians are being nudged toward scooters as a cheaper alternative, even if they're not confident riding them. Road safety experts have previously warned that inexperienced riders, unfamiliar with balance, braking and traffic conditions, can be vulnerable on scooters, particularly in busy urban areas. With cost pressures accelerating the shift away from cars, the risk may not be the scooters themselves, but how quickly inexperienced riders are being pushed onto them by rising fuel costs and limited transport options.
The clearance will see more than 10,000 new scooters, e bikes and cycling items released to market in a single campaign. The stock, transported in 10 full truckloads, reflects the scale of the retailer's exit and the pressure facing the sector.
"This is not a selective sale, everything must go," said Lee Hames, Chief Operating Officer at Lloyds Auctions.
"Over $2 million worth of stock is being cleared, starting from $1. For families, pensioners or anyone struggling with rising living costs, this is a rare chance to secure transport and save money."
Bidding is open now online, with auctions kicking off from this Saturday 14 March from 10am AEST, allowing buyers across the country to gain access to the product.
Auction Line‑Up: Saturday 14 March | 10:00am – Accessories & Parts Saturday 14 March | 2:00pm – Brand New In‑Box Push Bikes Sunday 15 March | 10:00am – Brand New In‑Box E‑Mobility Sunday 15 March | 2:00pm – Showroom & Display Model
About us:
Lloyds Auctions is one of Australia's leading and trusted auctioneering and valuation companies, operating for more than 20 years. Lloyds offers a wide range of auctions across vehicles, machinery, fine art, jewellery, antiques and more.
