Story pointing out the bleeding obvious 
Petrol price fuels surge in bike sales
http://theage.com.au/news/national/...e-in-bike-sales/2005/10/05/1128191786062.html
RISING petrol prices are fuelling a resurgence in cycling as more people switch from petrol to pedal power to save money.
Bicycle shops report increased sales, while riders say they have noticed more cyclists on the roads in the past two months.
Up to 6000 cyclists met at Federation Square yesterday to have breakfast as part of Ride to Work Day, double last year's number. Retail Cycle Traders of Australia says sales have increased by 90 per cent since 1997, with a record 1.24 million bicycles imported last year.
Bicycle Victoria figures show a five-fold increase in the number of cyclists in the city since 1992, up from an average of 92 to 461 an hour in Swanston Street. Tony Barber, general manager of Bicycle Victoria, said high petrol prices were an opportunity for people to start riding and get fit.
He said the price of fuel was one reason why more people were cycling, but improved bike trails and promotion of cycling were also factors. "We are seeing an increase, but petrol is not the main reason. I think people want to get fit and basically have fun," he said.
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Graham Bradshaw, executive officer of Retail Cycle Traders of Australia, said petrol prices were having an effect on sales.
"There are no firm figures as yet, but anecdotally more people are buying bikes and accessories, as well as dusting off their old bikes, having them repaired and riding again," Mr Bradshaw said.
Over breakfast at Federation Square yesterday, Clare Corbet, 49, said she had noticed more riders on the road in recent weeks.
The office worker has been riding to work for the past 10 years from her home in Coburg.
"I do it for the exercise. I have an office job and it's a nice release at the end of the day," she said. "It's also nice having the space when you're riding because public transport gets crowded."
Petrol price fuels surge in bike sales
http://theage.com.au/news/national/...e-in-bike-sales/2005/10/05/1128191786062.html
RISING petrol prices are fuelling a resurgence in cycling as more people switch from petrol to pedal power to save money.
Bicycle shops report increased sales, while riders say they have noticed more cyclists on the roads in the past two months.
Up to 6000 cyclists met at Federation Square yesterday to have breakfast as part of Ride to Work Day, double last year's number. Retail Cycle Traders of Australia says sales have increased by 90 per cent since 1997, with a record 1.24 million bicycles imported last year.
Bicycle Victoria figures show a five-fold increase in the number of cyclists in the city since 1992, up from an average of 92 to 461 an hour in Swanston Street. Tony Barber, general manager of Bicycle Victoria, said high petrol prices were an opportunity for people to start riding and get fit.
He said the price of fuel was one reason why more people were cycling, but improved bike trails and promotion of cycling were also factors. "We are seeing an increase, but petrol is not the main reason. I think people want to get fit and basically have fun," he said.
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Graham Bradshaw, executive officer of Retail Cycle Traders of Australia, said petrol prices were having an effect on sales.
"There are no firm figures as yet, but anecdotally more people are buying bikes and accessories, as well as dusting off their old bikes, having them repaired and riding again," Mr Bradshaw said.
Over breakfast at Federation Square yesterday, Clare Corbet, 49, said she had noticed more riders on the road in recent weeks.
The office worker has been riding to work for the past 10 years from her home in Coburg.
"I do it for the exercise. I have an office job and it's a nice release at the end of the day," she said. "It's also nice having the space when you're riding because public transport gets crowded."
