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"The U.S. bicycle industry was a $5.6 billion industry in 2009, including the retail value of bicycles, related parts, and accessories through all channels of distribution, according to research funded by the National Sporting Goods Association. For comparison purposes, we project the industry at $5.3 billion in 2002, $5.4 billion in 2003, $5.8 billion in 2004, $6.1 billion in 2005 (an all-time high), $5.8 billion in 2006, $6.0 billion in 2007 and $6.0 billion in 2008. The recession of 2009 definitely had an impact on bicycle sales with an overall decline approaching 20% from the previous year."
And there are BILLIONS in sales of bicycles every year just in America!!
"The average bicycle dealer's revenue was 47.4% bicycles, 35.5% parts and accessories, 10.7% bicycle repair, 0.8% bicycle rental, 1.9% fitness equipment and 3.5% "other." The average store sells approximately 650 bicycles per year, carries five bicycle brands (though not all in great depth), and numerous accessories brands. Recent trends are toward consolidation with retailers carrying somewhat fewer bicycle brands, sometimes at the urging of their suppliers. Gross margins on bicycles average about 37%, though the break-even point has been shown to be 38.6% for the average store (the average "cost of doing business"). Margins on hardgoods are generally higher than those for bicycles (48% gross margin)."
Bicycles are literally everywhere but are still step children in America's transportation mix.
A number of senior cits are getting large 3-wheel bikes that have baskets for carrying things. The only problem is, it's hard to ride these on the rickety sidewalks and to go into the street, as an older rider even with a helmet, is taking your life in your hands. When I was in Florence Italy I was floored by the number of bicyclists weaving in and out of rush hour traffic, and most did not wear helmets. They had briefcases and bags of food dangling from their handlebars. The scooters and motorcyclists added to the frenzy. What a way to go! Mama mia~!
A number of senior cits are getting large 3-wheel bikes that have baskets for carrying things. The only problem is, it's hard to ride these on the rickety sidewalks and to go into the street, as an older rider even with a helmet, is taking your life in your hands. When I was in Florence Italy I was floored by the number of bicyclists weaving in and out of rush hour traffic, and most did not wear helmets. They had briefcases and bags of food dangling from their handlebars. The scooters and motorcyclists added to the frenzy. What a way to go! Mama mia~!
Times are changing in America ,slowly to be sure but changing never the less, towards more cyclist on the roads and highways .....just like Europe...where gas has always been very expensive.
Once again the baby boomers will lead the way towards more and more bicycles for transportation uses of all kinds.
When an industry can sell BILLIONS of $$$$$$ worth of it's products every year then those products will impact the culture in more ways than one. So it is with bicycles............
On topic = I've noticed that foreigners are far more willing to ride bikes here in the U.S. if they come from a bike culture. I live near big Intel plant and Chinese people go streaming by in the mornings on bikes with laptop bags on their backs. Few Westerners do that.
Seven and a half miles is NOTHING. I know guys who walk or even run that far every morning (not always to work, though...). On a bike, that's a breeze. Of more concern would be the type of roads and the amount of traffic you need to mingle with. Some roads are just not safe for cyclists, due to narrow lanes and no shoulders, to say nothing of wild and crazy drivers.
The distance, however, is minimal for a bike. Even 20-30 miles is doable by bike.
I agree, 7.5 miles is nothing on a bike. Just enough time to clear your head to start the work day. (I do 6.2 each way and would be willing to stretch that to 15.)
That is good to know about the length of the ride. Just mapped my ride on Google maps which lets you plan a path by bike. It shows that the ride would be 7.8 miles and should take 42 minutes to complete. Our area is very bike friendly with paths near the roadway.
You can't expect people to ride their bikes to get places after they've wasted all their energy at the gym riding a stationary bike!
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