Public spending cuts, choppy waters ahead and unemployment rising, it’s all doom and gloom on the financial front.

So if we aren’t making any money, who is? Apparently Germany and China are and it’s all thanks to manufacturing. Being bike-mad, the first thing I think about when I hear this broadcast is how is the UK bicycle manufacturing industry faring?

Yes! We still make bikes and quality ones at that. I guess you know the famous Brompton and Pashley brands but what about the lesser-known bike producers such as Moulton, who also make folding bikes, Orange mountain bikes or even the Thorn touring bike?

It’s not a lot I admit and Orange and Thorn confess to making their entry-level bikes abroad but it’s great that at least we cling on to a few brands, when bicycle building is mainly a Far Eastern affair now.

The great thing about the remaining UK manufacturers is that they still produce a quality bicycle – albeit a bit of a middle-class vehicle.

Those Far Eastern models just don’t cut it in my book.

I realise it’s very difficult to take your custom-built bicycle to the pub in Oxford for fear of some wretch running off with your Brookes saddle or even the whole thing if they are determined enough, but that doesn’t mean we have to buy the cheap imports.

Yes, I know these quality British bikes are not as easy on the pocket as your Taiwanese special but at least you know that buying British means you are doing your bit to support the UK economy at this turbulent time.

Even better, buying locally from an independent retailer means you are supporting the local community as well.

Great Britain used to be at the centre of the cycle manufacturing industry, we even invented the thing in its modern image.

Britain is steeped in bicycle history. William Morris dabbled in manufacturing bicycles in Oxford before turning his sights to the car.

In its heyday, the British cycle industry boasted hundreds of manufacturers.

Raleigh became the UK’s largest during the 20th century by swallowing up the competition. Then they did the nasty deed and switched all manufacturing to East Asia in 2003, which was pretty much the nail in the coffin for mass cycle production in the UK.

Just the other day another enthusiast and I were dreaming about the great “Oxford” bike yet to be invented. There must one of you out there that’s itching to give that frame idea a go.

I’m a “vintage” kind of girl and I’m passionate about my old English classics – you can never have enough bikes I tell myself, when the other half is shouting that I am taking up all the storage space with rusty old Raleighs.

I could get carried away with the whole idea of manufacturing bikes if I had the money and I’m extremely thankful so many Englishmen did during the 20th century and that some remain in business.

That brings me back to the doom and gloom of rather less money swirling around English coffers than we have been used to.

You will all be glad to know Brompton, Pashley and the other UK cycle manufacturers all reported good turnover and some have even doubled their employee numbers, which is music to this bike lover’s ears!