International Bicycling Industry
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The bicycle is one of the most universal modes of transportation in the world today. Other than the initial purchase, there are few operating costs associated with it, so it is popular among individuals who need basic transportation but who may lack the requisite finances for an automobile and its upkeep. Unlike public transportation, owners of bicycles do not depend on a pre-set schedule, and they have the freedom to go where they need rather than traveling along a predefined route. But bicycles are also used by many individuals as a form of exercise, as a way of touring, and by children as their only means of transportation. The bicycling industry is a multibillion dollar industry with global participants and global markets. Companies in various countries can be affected not only by demand in other nations, but also by government practices which seek to limit, or control, access to markets for various products. This research examines the international bicycling industry with a particular focus on the all-terrain (mountain) bicycle.It is estimated that bicycles are the primary mode of transportation for more than one-half the world's population ("World Bikes," 1996, p. 35). Other consumer purchase bicycles for leisure activities, including exercise and racing, while still others purchase the bicycles as basic transportation for their children. The market is international, with the largest bicycle markets based in the United Stat
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ill mature into consumers with a strong brand loyalty to a particular manufacturer, and many manufacturers of BMX bicycles also sponsor BMX teams and competitions to maintain brand awareness and build brand loyalty.
Recent Cultural Issues
Approximately 90 million American adults ride a bicycle at least once per year; that number is expected to increase as the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) give local communities incentives to build bicycling into their transportation plans. The Clean Air Act sets standards for air quality and requires some metropolitan areas to develop methods to reach compliance; among acceptable strategies are taking steps to make bicycling a viable transportation alternative. ISTEA offers an even greater incentive for bicycling since it requires states and communities to develop transportation facilities and plans that include nonmotorized travel.
Palo Alto, a city of 56,000 in Northern California, offers a good example of how some American communities are working to foster bicycle-friendly environments. the city adopted a bikeway master plan and built bike routes and lanes at that time. Today, the city is designed for bicycles with more than 30 m
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 6673
Approximate Pages = 27 (250 words per page)
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