The Center of the Bicycle Industry
Chicago was once known as the “City of Bikes,” and it is no surprise that bicycles are a major part of its cultural identity. During the late 1870s, cyclists rode in a fad that spread across the United States, and Chicago was home to many of the leading manufacturers.
The bicycle craze was not an American invention, however, and most of the early bikes were based on European designs. It took a lot of time and hard work to develop a bicycle that was safe enough for the average person to ride, and the American bike industry didn’t really get started until the 1890s.
By the 1920s, automobiles had largely replaced the bicycle as a means of transportation. But in the 1950s and ’60s, a fad for high-wheeled geared bicycles with banana-shaped saddles began to spread across the country, becoming a craze among teens.
It was this fad that brought the first bicycle manufacturing companies to America, and Chicago was no exception. Several firms produced bicycles for sale in the city, including Arnold, Schwinn and Co. Founded in Chicago by German immigrant Ignaz Schwinn with backing from meatpacker Adolph Arnold, the company was eventually bought out and renamed as Schwinn Cycles.
While some other manufacturers moved to Asia, Michaux and the Starley family of Lyon, France, remained in business in the US, producing bicycles with the same diagonal iron frame that they used in Europe. Michaux’s pioneering design, introduced in 1865, became a standard for all bicycle makers.
Today, the bicycle industry is in a period of significant disruption. New digital distribution models are gaining a strong foothold, as are the growing segments of E-bikes, gravel, composite bikes and event bikes.
As these trends grow, they will require more investment, effort, passion, agility and responsiveness on the part of bicycle manufacturers. These changes are being driven by a variety of factors, such as health concerns and increased social distancing.
Consumer demand for safer, more affordable, convenient, reliable, and experiential forms of transportation is growing rapidly. The bicycle industry is a key player in this market because it is an excellent example of an alternative means of transportation that is both practical and affordable.
In the United States, the bicycle industry is expected to increase by 28 percent in 2020. This growth is fueled by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the market, and a growing desire for cyclists to use cycling as a viable transportation option.
The bicycle industry is also expected to see a robust increase in the number of cycling facilities in the United States. These facilities are designed to encourage cyclists to use the city’s streets and sidewalks.
Despite the challenges facing the bike industry in the future, it is likely to remain a popular mode of transportation. In the future, bicycles will continue to be a preferred way to commute to work and school, as well as for recreational activities. This is because it provides a healthy, active form of exercise and contributes to a more environmentally sustainable society.