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GA2G · 14th January 2009

This is a quote from an online news piece:

A rash of recent statistics suggests that bikes are doing better than ever as compared to cars - both in terms of manufacture and use.

Bike production and sales are forecast to rise steeply across most areas of bike sales in 2009, from racers to commuters, meaning that the number of bikes produced annually may, for the first time, be triple the number of cars produced - or more.

Figures from the US-based Earth Policy Institute show global 2007 bike production at around 130 million units and car production at around 52 million. However, a recession-inspired downturn in car production and an increasingly sharp rise in bike sales mean the three-to-one ratio could easily be reached in 2009. For example, August 2008 saw record revenues for bike giant Giant, totaling some US$42.19 million.

Figures recently released by Australia's Cycling Promotion Fund confirm the trend; although bikes have outsold cars there for nine consecutive years, 2008 saw the bike sales lead over cars hit an a high of 38 percent.

CPF's Policy Advisor Elliot Fishman stressed it wasn't just bike sales but bike usage that was increasing; 'Census figures (based on state capital cities) show a 28-percent increase in cycling to work, with Melbourne's growth soaring to 48 percent.'

Of course, the 'bike-car' gap that threatens to turn into a chasm is also fuelled by a crisis in the automobile industry - figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed new car sales towards the end of 2008 were down 23 percent from the same time a year ago. Major US and Japanese car manufacturers have all had very well-publicised and drastic drops in turnover and profit in 2008, with 2009 not holding out much hope of an upturn.

andyp · 14th January 2009

The ever excellent World Clock shows (estimated) bike production vs car production amongst other fascinating statistics.

cornelius blackfoot · 14th January 2009

my question is does the fact that more bicycles are manufactured mean more bikes are being used?

hippy · 14th January 2009

It's not a new trend, as this awesome blog reports:
http://thehippy.net/nucleus/index.php?itemid=776

"bicycle sales out-stripping vehicle sales for the seventh consecutive year"

GA2G · 14th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyp

The ever excellent World Clock shows (estimated) bike production vs car production amongst other fascinating statistics.

I bow to the man that can create such a list!

andyp · 14th January 2009

I thought you might appreciate that GA2G. :-)

GA2G · 14th January 2009

Mind you, its funny that the Chinese have been over recent years, buying more cars, and abandoning bikes, then the recession strikes............

GA2G · 14th January 2009

I dream of the day when I meet the guy who wrote the book that listed Pi in the longest numerical form ever.

Not.

Oliver Schick · 14th January 2009

Quote:

Bike production stripping out cars at a record rate

This is nice to hear, swords into ploughshares and so on.

fred · 14th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornelius blackfoot

my question is does the fact that more bicycles are manufactured mean more bikes are being used?

mebbe disposable / uni-cacks ?

Balki · 15th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA2G

Mind you, its funny that the Chinese have been over recent years, buying more cars, and abandoning bikes, then the recession strikes............

they will pay for this... BSA Brilliance - chinese crash test

YouTube - New Chinese Car Crash Test Disaster - 2007 Brilliance BS6

Smallfurry · 15th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornelius blackfoot

my question is does the fact that more bicycles are manufactured mean more bikes are being used?

From what I read on here, I'd say its the people who already have bikes buying more ;)

Oliver Schick · 15th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallfurry

From what I read on here, I'd say its the people who already have bikes buying more ;)

This is not the real world, though. :)

50/14 · 15th January 2009

Mine, though.

14th January 2009	#1
GA2G	Bike production outstripping cars by record levels This is a quote from an online news piece: A rash of recent statistics suggests that bikes are doing better than ever as compared to cars - both in terms of manufacture and use. Bike production and sales are forecast to rise steeply across most areas of bike sales in 2009, from racers to commuters, meaning that the number of bikes produced annually may, for the first time, be triple the number of cars produced - or more. Figures from the US-based Earth Policy Institute show global 2007 bike production at around 130 million units and car production at around 52 million. However, a recession-inspired downturn in car production and an increasingly sharp rise in bike sales mean the three-to-one ratio could easily be reached in 2009. For example, August 2008 saw record revenues for bike giant Giant, totaling some US$42.19 million. Figures recently released by Australia's Cycling Promotion Fund confirm the trend; although bikes have outsold cars there for nine consecutive years, 2008 saw the bike sales lead over cars hit an a high of 38 percent. CPF's Policy Advisor Elliot Fishman stressed it wasn't just bike sales but bike usage that was increasing; 'Census figures (based on state capital cities) show a 28-percent increase in cycling to work, with Melbourne's growth soaring to 48 percent.' Of course, the 'bike-car' gap that threatens to turn into a chasm is also fuelled by a crisis in the automobile industry - figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed new car sales towards the end of 2008 were down 23 percent from the same time a year ago. Major US and Japanese car manufacturers have all had very well-publicised and drastic drops in turnover and profit in 2008, with 2009 not holding out much hope of an upturn.
	quote reply

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14th January 2009	#2
andyp	The ever excellent World Clock shows (estimated) bike production vs car production amongst other fascinating statistics.
	quote reply

14th January 2009	#3
cornelius blackfoot	my question is does the fact that more bicycles are manufactured mean more bikes are being used?
	quote reply

14th January 2009	#4
hippy	It's not a new trend, as this awesome blog reports: http://thehippy.net/nucleus/index.php?itemid=776 "bicycle sales out-stripping vehicle sales for the seventh consecutive year"
	quote reply

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