From the exhilaration of finding a new trail to the satisfaction of leaving the car at home, cycling offers a key to unlock a world of opportunity for a healthy mind, body, and planet. The simple, centuries-old concept of propelling oneself on two wheels using all-natural energy has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar movement towards a greener planet, and a smaller waistline. The rebirth and staggering growth of the bicycle market illustrates how humans can match the challenge of a shrinking environment with a proactive return to basics, like riding a bike. New technology abounds in the biking world, with galloping innovation and invention keeping pace with a growing global awareness.
Bicycle Accessibility
There is now a bicycle model that is built for virtually anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or needs. Comfort bikes, hybrids, adult tricycles, and cruisers have filled a void in a market that was limited to 10-speeds and mountain bikes not many years ago. Kids and grownups ride BMX bikes now. An entire culture has sprung up and thrived around the fixie bike, which is a stripped back single speed urban flyer that harkens back to the penny-farthing bikes from the turn of the century. The full-suspension mountain bike commands the lead in recreational cycling, with a combination of comfort and physics-driven performance. For every rider, there is a perfect match. In the April 2010 issue of Bicycle Retailer Magazine, more quality bikes at lower price points is the strongest growth factor in the retail industry for 2010, making a better fit for more budgets.
