Thoughts On An Industry In The Midst Of Changes - A Follow-Up

It's time to move from "recreational" to "practical" bike routes.

Tuesday I posted some thoughts on the bicycle industry and where I think it is going both at a macro level and locally. You can go back to read this post HERE if you missed it.

In the comments section for the post linked above I was inspired by a reader to post these follow-up thoughts. I hope you enjoy them.

Paths To Nowhere:

First off, I realized the lack of "feeling safe" on bicycle rides is one major obstacle which is hindering participation in cycling. No matter who you are, or what sort of cycling expectations you may have, if you are afraid of getting killed on a bicycle ride, you are a lot less likely to pursue cycling.

Leaving the entire debate about driver's of automobiles responsibilities aside, it is my opinion that separate infrastructure for cycling is the best route and would enhance participation in cycling in urban areas especially. Now for decades the idea the government has approved of here in the USA is one which treats cycling as a recreational activity. This has led to some wonderful routes separate from car and truck traffic, with wonderful views, and even some economic impacts. However; these are mostly not very useful for day-to-day, practical cycling. 

Until we can go to the dentist, shop for some hardware for a home project, or get to work or school and back safely, cycling will have a tough time being seen as anything but playtime. Separated, practical, useful cycling paths would go a long way to infusing a new attitude about cycling here in the USA. Plus it may even boost the industry's bottom line by helping more people purchase a bicycle because it would be safer to ride one. 

It doesn't get much simpler than fixed gear

Simple & Good:

 The comment which spawned the idea for a follow-up to Tuesday's post was one concerning how bicycles have become too complex and fussy. I would also add the segmentation of the bicycle into countless categories. You don't just buy a bicycle anymore.

No, you find all sorts of non-sense like "gravel bikes", road bikes (whatever that means), "enduro bikes", "downcountry", XC, time-trial, triathlon, BMX, cruiser, urban, cargo, hybrid, city bikes, and on and on. Then add an electric motor. Oh my!

The "tyranny of choice" is palpable. I remember when I was a child we'd go by the hardware store and there was a row of boys bikes, girls bikes, and adult bikes. That was it. It was easy to figure out what was a bike for you. 

I'm not advocating we go back to those times, however, it was easier to choose a bicycle, and that is my point. There are just too many choices now and the casual cyclist is bewildered. Even many salespeople in bicycle shops cannot keep up with the vast choices in one brand's product line. It is overwhelming and unnecessary.

Then we get into the actual bicycle itself. I find it somewhat amusing and ironic that high end, complex bicycles try to look like a fixed gear bike by hiding all cabling and use electronic shifting to streamline the operation of their drive trains. Underneath the seemingly simple exterior is a complicated routing system through the handlebar, head set, and the bottom bracket area which makes servicing a nightmare. Then there are batteries to be charged along with external charging stations and "software updates" every so often. And the price..... Woo!

Mechanics groan when faced with the maintenance on these bicycles and the labor prices to deal with these bicycles is only going to increase. Home mechanics will be pushed aside as proprietary electronic systems will be more and more tied to "approved service technicians" who will have the diagnostic tools and proprietary hand tools to maintenance these techno-wonder bikes. E-bikes will be the worst for this. Do we really want to go down this path?

Maybe the cycling industry could do with a philosophy of "simple and good" mixed with practical ways to ride safely in towns and out in the countryside. Maybe then we'd see an increase in cycling activity and a valuation of  cycling beyond being just playtime.