WSJ.com | The New Business Cycle
Nancy Keates at the Wall Street Journal looks at the new breed of transportation-friendly bikes making waves in the U.S.
Keane notes that commuter bike sales are up 15 percent in the last 2 years, but still make up a small fraction of total bike sales (she says $900,000, but that must be Euro-commuters only).
Among the featured bikes: the new Specialized Globe, Diamondback’s Transporter, Breezer’s Uptown 8, Electra’s Amsterdam, alongside folding bikes and electric-assist rides.
Keane gets a little wrapped up in the taxonomy – I don’t see why it matters whether it’s a Townie (and why is that capitalized?), comfort, or cruiser bike – but does a pretty good job surveying the segment.
Byron spent some time with her at Interbike, but he (and our Bettie Project) wound up on the cutting-room floor, right next to all of Kevin Costner’s stuff from The Big Chill.