Last week our local bicycle industry appeared to be doing quite well, according to this month’s cover story in the Oregonian, which we also wrote about here. But this morning’s New York Times features this piece, entitled “A Surge in Bicyclists Appears to Be Waiting.” The article discusses the sudden “grim reality” of the bicycle industry, which is experiencing a rapid fall in sales following the industry’s “summer of [its] dreams.”
So which is it? We could dismiss the article’s findings if Portland wasn’t discussed, but sure enough, quoted in the article is Jay Graves, owner of six Portland Bike Gallery stores, who stated that this recession is unusual and that business is “not growing at the rate it was earlier in the year.” If that quote is any indication, then perhaps Portland’s small bicycle companies are not doing quite so well.
Whatever the case, any local bike businesses that have so far been immune to the recession’s effects should at least consider this article as a reminder to be vigilant in their business planning efforts.
We’ll be interested to see if the Oregonian does a follow-up on their piece, or if there is any reaction or commentary on bikeportland.org.
Tags: bicycle industry, portland, small business
