Bike Decline
From Bicycle Retailer: The single biggest issue facing the bike industry (A blog by Jay Townley)
As we finish the first quarter of 2014 the U.S. bicycle business is preparing for its April gathering of industry leaders at the Bicycle Leadership Conference and the IBD Summit. We have noticed that the U.S. bicycle business continues to separate the meetings of the specialty bicycle retail, or bike shop channel of trade suppliers from the retailers and the separate agendas for these two important annual gatherings still do not mention or pay attention to the most important single issue facing the U.S. bicycle business today!
The following chart (above) is a graphic presentation of the 18-year history of U.S. bicycle riding participation from 1995 through 2012. The data is from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). The overall trend is a slow decline, from the peak of 56 million in 1995 to flat overall bicycle riding participation at 39 million for the last three years. 2013 bicycle riding participation will be available in early April, but we don’t anticipate any significant change from the history you see here.
RIP Hobie
From Hobie.com: Rest in Peace Hobie Alter – The Passing of a Legend
Hobart “Hobie” Alter, who started out shaping surfboards, and ended up shaping a culture, passed away peacefully at his Palm Desert home on March 29 surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 31, 1933 in Ontario, California, he was 80 at the time of his passing.
Total 360
From Vimeo: 360° Video using 6 GoPro Cameras – spherical panorama timelapse
Old Timer
From The Telegraph: How old is too old to skateboard?
There’s a bloke who drops his kids off at my son’s nursery and then skateboards home afterwards. Like he’s Bart Simpson. Like his childhood never died. This balding dude, who must be over 40 years old, does not have kneepads, Vision Street Wear sweatbands, or a backwards baseball cap, although the effect is just as bad, if not worse.