Home > Articles > General product information
Pages on this topic: Bike Sources and Supply, The Bicycle and the Car, Types of Bicycles Today.
A Little Bike History
The Bicycle and the Car
We have seen great changes in how cyclists are accepted (or not) by drivers and society in general over the past 30 years. Here in St. Louis in the 1970s automobile drivers usually did not appreciate the bicycle taking up space on the road. Many cyclist were confronted by irate motorists; even police departments sometimes told cyclists to get off the road. But fortunately times have changed. Over the years, bicycle paths have been built, laws have been passed giving cyclists the same rights as motorists, and motorists have become more willing to accept that the cyclist has a right to be on the road. Is the St. Louis metropolitan area safe for cyclist? The answer is yes, when compared to a quarter century ago. Back then the only bicycle path here was in Forest Park, and was a seven mile loop shared with runners, walkers, dogs and rollerbladers. But progress for the cyclist prevailed and now there are dozens of miles of bicycle paths, and dedicated bike lanes on many city streets. St. Louis is becoming a bicycle friendly town.
We had a vision of the future when opening our first Touring Cyclist store back in 1973, and it has mostly come true. The one big disappointment is in the small numbers of bike commuters in our community today. Bike commuting has never caught hold in the United States compared to other countries. Something like less than 5% of the bicycle-owning population uses their bike to shop or commute to work or school. It seems our culture is addicted to the automobile, and as long as gas prices stay relatively low the automobile will maintain its position. The ease of using a car, the relatively low cost of operating it, and the way we live far apart from where we shop and work all conspire to keep things the way they are. But we see some hope for change, especially now that gasoline prices seem to be up for the long term.
Thirty-three years after the bicycle boom began, bicycling has become a part of our life style and is enjoyed by all ages and income levels. The industry has matured and produced many worthwhile innovations. Any cyclist can find a bicycle designed for their particular needs that will be light, durable, attractive, and have a comfortable ride. Today you can buy a bicycle to fit your style of riding and your pocketbook.