It's catching on

[sundial]

Have you noticed lately the commercials and advertisements that involve bikes? Let's see, there's the Regions Bank with the lime green cruisers, the Fisher Price smart cycle for kiddoes, the lonely red bike that follows the guy around, and a Volvo(?) commercial with a cyclist. I think there's a juice commercial with cyclists too. I wonder.....do you think that cycling is about to make a big comeback?

[Eden]

When gas hits $4 a gallon it will..... we live down the street from a grocery store and we certainly do see an ebb and flow to the numbers of cyclists passing our house in correlation with gas prices.

[PinkPilot]

My favorite is the one where a group of cyclists riding down what I assume is PCH spot a small pod of humpback whales breaching. Of course, they pull over and watch. It's either an insurance or an investment commercial.

[Trek420]

Skeptical ex-designer chimes in:

On the one hand I'm glad of it, like the Kaiser ads that emphasize health and fun. And even a bike in the background people see bikes as part of the normal landscape. "Oh, there's a streetscape and someone rides up and parks their bike and goes into the store. Oh, I could do that"

So like smoking in films and TV is a "bad thing" showing people cycling and the BofA and guy wanting a bike is a good idea and I'm glad to see it.

But I also know objects, like this years hot colors or this years background music have a cycle of fashion and this one (which I've noticed for a few years on the tube - what's with all the subtle use of bikes?) may stay....or go.

If it gets one person riding or into fitness that's good. But now how to keep them there?

People get into cycling for any number of reasons including economics and fashion. But will they stay when what looked like fun on the insurance commercial is hard work, hard to learn or even dangerous.

I've told people that riding a bike is easy to do, hence that saying "it's like riding a bicycle"

Riding a bike safely and well is freaskishly insanely difficult.

You'll see lots of new riders out there both as a result of perceived fashion, health concern and price of gas. Help them out!

[WhirlyGirl]

I have noticed the trend as well. I would like to see some advertising geared toward the younger kids too, with the obesity rate climbing so high and all the trouble a teen can get into cycling is a a great option. Especially for the kid who can't or won't do team sports.

We live in a great place for commuting and are starting to see the increase in commuting as the gas prices go up. But yes sustainability is key.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Trek
I was about to post something similar... the more people see something as "part of landscape" the more normalised and acceptable it becomes...

I think with the oil scares, and petrol price hikes people are more more aware - but there is also a steady roll of changes in habit around recycling and prioritising of thinking about sustainable practices. Hand in hand with sedentary lifestyles (comparitively) and weight and fitness related health issues... I cautiously think cycling is making a come-back - not just for a fasion "cycle"...

I'm hopeful it won't be a fad or a passing fasion... changes at work make me think this - our institute have committed a large ammount of money to developing cycle parks and lockups and more showers on campus. Once they are there, people should keep using them...

Lets think positive... and yeah, like Trek says... lets encourage, support and praise those who have a go, welcome them into our bike communities and help them want to stay...

[PinkPilot]

Skeptical ex-designer chimes in:

People get into cycling for any number of reasons including economics and fashion. But will they stay when what looked like fun on the insurance commercial is hard work, hard to learn or even dangerous.

I guess what I thought favorable was the fact that the commercials I see do normalize cycling. They show them riding on everybody else's roads. I think it's favorable to depict cyclists on roads as a common, everyday thing. I was hoping it would cause people to make the connection when they're later in their cars.

Any newbie (and that totally includes me) who didn't get on the bike in the beginning and go "Whoa! I had no idea these people were working this hard!" is either incredibly fit or didn't go very far. So, I guess the concern would be that people take up the new "fad" and don't learn safety?

[Trek420]

Hey there Trek

Hey there Raven! Congrats on the TT BTW.

... the more people see something as "part of landscape" the more normalised and acceptable it becomes...

I think with the oil scares, and petrol price hikes people are more more aware - but there is also a steady roll of changes in habit around recycling and prioritising of thinking about sustainable practices....

Yeah, not to get on a soapbox but it is about sustainable living and normalising it. Say I ride to the market and buy produce flown in from Chile and New Zealand (not offense to Chilean or New Zealand'ers on board) where my neighbor drives his Humvee to the farm market and buys local produce.

He may have made the more sustainable choice.

Lets think positive... and yeah, like Trek says... lets encourage, support and praise those who have a go, welcome them into our bike communities and help them want to stay...

Cycling's a hoot, it's fun! Or can be with a little knowledge. When I ride "green miles" for an errand or commute I'm aware of the issues but I just can't wipe the silly grin off my face.

People start for whatever reason but if they meet fellow cyclists often stay for the community because while there's the occaisional jerk but over all we are the best folks with the best food around.

Last week on the train I saw something that made me think; an obviously beginner or urban cyclist looked new and befuddled, with a seasoned commuter (bright visible clothing, well fit commutermobile, well thought out storage for gear and stuff. This doesn't just happen, she really knew what to do).

Newbie had a flat and there was this commuter gal showing him how to fix it and probably "you need to go and get this, this and one of these".

It made me think of bringing a minimal kit with me even when not riding.

[Andrea]

I like the Michelob beer commercial with the guy riding a bike...


with no handlebar tape