Bicycle Network: Bikes 'n' Bits

Bikes working harder, earning their keep

2 February 2010. With many more people now riding while new bikes sales remain flat, there can only be one conclusion: bikes are working harder than ever.

Bike sales hit a peak of 1,427,738 in 2007. Last year, according to Customs bike importation figures released by the Cycling Promotion Fund, they were 1,154,077.

Although sales are down from the peak this was still the tenth year in a row that bike sales outstripped car sales.

But the most significant thing is that more people are cycling more often: we know this from the counts that Bicycle Network Victoria, local councils and other agencies are undertaking.

Logic tells us that if there is more riding going on, but fewer bikes are being sold, then we are putting more kilometres on our old bikes.

What does this tell us? Are we happy with our bikes and are keeping them longer? Getting them services more often and maintaining them better? Running them into the ground before getting a really good bike?