A Study on Bicycles Market
By
B. Ashok (PG2008-019)
Kirloskar Institute of Advanced Management Studies
P. O. Yantrapur, Harihar – 577602, India
1. Introduction:
The Bicycle has had a considerable effect on human society, in both the cultural and industrial realms. Bicycles were introduced in 19th century and now number about one billion worldwide. Around the turn of 20th century, bicycles helped reduce crowding in inner-city tenements by allowing workers to commute from more spacious dwelling in the suburbs. Bicycles allowed people to travel for leisure into the country, since bicycles were three times as energy efficient as walking, and three to four times as fast. They are the principal means of transportation in many regions. They also form a popular part form of recreation, and have been adapted for such uses as children’s toys, adult fitness, military and police applications and competitive sports.
Recently, several European cities have implemented successful schemes, known as Community bicycle programs or bike-sharing schemes. These initiatives are designed to complement a city's public transport system and offer an alternative to motorized traffic to help reduce congestion and pollution. Users can take a bicycle at a parking station, use it for a limited amount of time, and then return it to the same or a different, station. Bicycles also offer an important mode of transport in many developing countries. Until recently, bicycles have been a staple of everyday life throughout Asian countries. They are the most frequently used method of transport for commuting to work, school, shopping, and life in general. As a result bicycles there are almost always equipped with baskets and back seats.