bikes & the oil price?

[Tumbleweed]

came across an interesting read on the wires?

 

from reuters:

 

TAIPEI - The row of gleaming bicycles being assembled on the factory floor of Giant Manufacturing, one of the world's biggest bicycle-makers, will soon hit streets from Seattle to Sydney, Amsterdam and even Beijing.
Rising petrol prices, growing awareness of environmental issues and the popularity of cycling as a recreation sport has fuelled a surge in demand for bicycles around the world.
Giant, the Taipei-based maker of international bicycle brands such as Boulder, Yukon and Iguana, is reaping the profits. The company, which produced 5.5 million bikes in 2007, is expected to pull in $1 billion in sales this year, up 10 percent, it says.

 

 

Bicycle-makers ride high on surging oil prices

 

holy roller2008-05-14 02:09:06

[AndreZA]

Bliksem that is alot of bikes.

 

 

[Hog_]

Let's hope the manufacturers don't see the rising demand as an opportunity to push up the prices! Lets also hope they put the extra profit towards research & development so we'll see more groundbreaking designs in the future.

 

Whichever way, more bike sales means more awareness, since more people are riding. I really can't see anything negative about it - maybe in 10 years we'll be bitching about the fat dude that was holding up traffic going up the hill in the fast lane of the bike lane

 

 

[MintSauce]

Now wouldn't you much rather ride a handbuilt custom beauty by a small employee-owned company that makes a few hundred frames a year...?

 

 

 

 

[Ox_Wagon]

I am thinking of starting to commute to work due to the petrol prices.

[Canaris]

I am thinking of starting to commute to work due to the petrol prices.

 

there are also health benifits.

[AndreZA]

I am thinking of starting to commute to work due to the petrol prices.

 

I saw two new people on the road yesterday commuting that I never saw before. Two more out of their cars is a good starting point.

 

 

[Guest Big H]

Now wouldn't you much rather ride a handbuilt custom beauty by a small employee-owned company that makes a few hundred frames a year...?

 

 

 

 

 

Are you saying Slowpoke's Giant is ugly...... boetie jy IS in die moeilikheid!!!!!!

[Buff]

I've also noticed a sh!t load of new Scooters on the road lately.

At least they're better than cars and great for motor pacing .

Apparently Vuka is struggling to keep up with the demand, looks like people are feeling the pinch.

[Aedon]

Commuting by bike is the way to go.

Okay not so much in winter in Cape Town.

On the days I have to take the car to work I am ready to kill by the time I get to work.

Traffic is the pits.

Like Hog's reply about the fat guy in the fast lane though.

[Buff]

I spent a year commuting to work during winter when I moved down here and it's not that bad if you have the right kit. Once you've got over the initial cold and wet, it's rather invigorating.

[Bateleur1]

Also noticed here in Pretoria that there are more cyclists on the road in the traffic and also more motorcyclists.

[Craven]

Something interesting to look at:

 

http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/13/oil-prices-1861-today-real-vs-nominal_flash2.html?feed=rss_popstories

[Tumbleweed]

I've also noticed a sh!t load of new Scooters on the road lately.

At least they're better than cars and great for motor pacing .

Apparently Vuka is struggling to keep up with the demand' date=' looks like people are feeling the pinch.

[/quote']

 

i want a vespa. one of them old ones!

[Tumbleweed]

how's this for a principled stand against using a car?

 

from afp:

OTTAWA - A skateboarder was jailed Wednesday for refusing to stay off a Canadian city's streets, spotlighting how municipalities push people to walk or cycle more, yet often bylaws leash them to their cars.
Lee Breen, 25, was ticketed in August 2007 for skateboarding on Fredericton City streets in easternmost Canada, but refused to pay the fine, and so a judge ordered him jailed for five days.

Skateboarder jailed in traffic row AFP