Cycle shops across Ballarat are reporting higher-than-normal new bikes sales for April but also a boom in repairs, spare parts and accessories as people look to revive old wheels for a ride in isolation.

There has been a rise about our neighbourhoods, people out for a ride, as an approved way to leave the house under Victoria's stage three restrictions to prevent the coronavirus spread.

While exercise might be a driving force, Cycle City's Andrew Cook said people looking for new, or old, ways to exercise had unearthed some real gems.

"It's been good to see a lot of the old bikes coming in," Mr Cook said. "There's a lot of sentimental value in bikes people are wanting to do up."

My Ride Ballarat's Tim Oliver said his Sturt Street shop was just starting to get on top of demand for repairs, also largely driven by more people at home and cleaning out their garages. Mr Oliver said business had been a mix of spare parts and new bikes but what was most telling was more people out riding.

Lake Wendouree's Steve Moneghetti Track has been packed with runners, walkers and riders as a chance to get on the move.

Health experts have been reiterating the importance of people finding ways to exercise during the pandemic, especially with organised sport suspended and gyms closed.

Professor Rosemary Calder, who leads the Australian Health Policy Collaboration, told The Courier we need to get back to thinking from less convenient eras in a bid to stay physically active and eating well amid the coronavirus pandemic - and cycling in all weather was one key way to do this.

Retired professional cyclist Pat Shaw said it was great to see more people about Ballarat on their bikes. Mr Shaw said while cycling was one of the only things you could do as a family outside, he hoped it would be a trend to continue well after COVID-19 has passed.

"It's good to see, from a local standpoint, so many people out exercising but also to see mums and dads on their bikes as a good outlet to get out of the house," Mr Shaw said. "It does reinforce that locally our cycling infrastructure is pretty good - it could always be better - but we are lucky in Ballarat.

"People have also been very respectful to one another on Skipton Rail Trail whether running, walking the dog or riding, which is great."

Virtual indoor cycling programs, always popular in Ballarat winters, have been in high demand. Shaw Cycling Centre sold out of Zwifts days into the state's initial isolation phase and have a couple of dozen more units on order.

Cycling Australia this week announced it would start its National Road Series on the virtual platform in a fortnight's time. Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club has already adopted the program for its winter racing twice a week with Trevor Petrie Real Estate as major sponsor.

"If you've got the motivation and imagination to exercise, you'll find ways to make it happen," Mr Shaw said.

Staying fit and eating well are two major drivers to prevent high risks of hospitalisation with COVID-19.

Evidence coming from the United States, Italy and China showed between 78 to 99 per cent of people hospitalised with COVID-19 had a pre-existing chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to Victoria University. One in two Australians have a chronic disease.

READ MORE

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.