Bicycles Outsell Cars In US Over Trailing 12 Months - AFP

[hatrack]

More bicycles than cars have been sold in the United States over the past 12 months, with rising gas prices prompting commuters to opt for two wheels instead of four, industry representatives say.

Not since the oil crisis of 1973 have bicycles sold in such big numbers, according to Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong, an industry association.

"Bicycle sales are near an all-time high with 19 million sold last year -- close to the 20 million sold during the oil embargo in the early 1970s," said Blumenthal, whose association is based in Boulder in the western state of Colorado.

The US Chamber of Commerce says more bicycles have been sold than cars over the past 12 months.

In a country where most of the population still relies heavily on cars, some 87 million people have climbed on a bike in the past 12 months, Blumenthal said.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2005/051001102202.6fartc8w.html

[phantom power]

1. That's pretty impressive.

[Wilms]

2. .

[Oerdin]

3. Hmmm....

Increased sales of bikes is good but you can buy a new bike for as little as $100 where as even the cheapest new car goes for $8000. To say the public buys more $100 items then $8000 items is a big "duh" moment.

Still, nice to see more people are getting a work out and saving some energy.

[NNadir]

4. That is pretty cool.

I have always been somewhat depressed by the Chinese decision to move in the opposite direction.

It's somewhat amusing or depressing, depending on one's mood, that many people drive to health clubs to work out.

Here are some things that would help bicycle commuters:

1) Showers at work.

2) Places to lock up bikes.

3) Closets in which to keep spare clothing.

4) Bike lanes.

5) Access to ice machines (for filling water bottles which can get quite warm when one is riding fast on hot days.)

6) One big variable is, of course, time.

I will probably be building my own facility in the next year and I intend to provide 1, 2, 3, and 5 for those who come to work for me. I am trying to locate my facility within bicycle commuting distance of my home.

[dcfirefighter]

5. add: provisions for taking bikes on mass transit

The DC Metro allows it during non rush hours, and the Metro buses have bike racks on the front.

This way, you can #1 use the bike for a portion of your journey and/or #2 get a ride home if you can't/don't want to pedal home.

[NNadir]

6. This is an excellent point.