Vienna Pedaler: "The Urban Bike Has Arrived"

This was the week for Interbike, the bike industry’s big trade show in the United States, and I was there to see what’s new and interesting in the business. I’ve gone a number of times, and there’s always something new to see and learn about trends to watch. And it’s a great opportunity to meet with other people in the business, compare notes and pick each other’s brains.

Of course, each person who attends approaches the show from their own perspective and with their own interests, so I’ll be focusing on those things that particularly stood out  for me.

It’s probably no surprise to regular readers that I noticed a continued growth in the selection of “transportation bikes” being offered. More and more options are coming to market each year, and it’s getting easier and easier to set yourself up to shop, run errands and commute in comfort, safety, and yes, even style. From relatively light, fashionable looking “city bikes” in the French style, to classically upright “Dutch bikes” that  take you comfortably and dare I say majestically to your destination, the urban bike has definitely arrived. Mixed in with those are an ever-wider range of heavy duty cargo bikes, some carrying their load behind (known as “long-tail” bikes), some in front (“porteur” style), and some with both.

The folding bike also seems to be coming into its own these days. There weren’t a lot of new makers showing product this year, but more variety from each maker, and definitely more interest in the bikes from the attendees. Once seen as quirky and limited in use, these days more and more people are coming to realize folding bikes are “real bikes” that have the added benefit of folding down for easy transportation and storage. The one major new brand in the field is Tern, a sort of offshoot from the Dahon company, who have been making quality folding bikes for many years now. Brompton, the pre-eminent British brand, was there as well with some new tweaks on their classic design, and a few new accessories, including a very stylish, water repellent jacket that looks like a sport coat.

Another trend in the bicycling world is clearly on a growth path, and that’s the area of “e-bikes” or bikes with electric motors. These are broadly divided into two types: power-on-demand and power-assist.

Power-on-demand gives the rider direct control over the power applied by the motor, using a “throttle” or switch that you twist or push, and the motor can completely take over the job of propelling you down the road. A power-assist bike, on the other hand, only applies auxiliary power to help you along, and only when you are actually pedaling. Each have their pros and cons, and each has their advocates, but it’s clear that both types are becoming more and more a part of the bicycle world.

I can understand the appeal of an "e-bike" as a transportation alternative to a car -- it can allow you to get to and from work a little more easily than a conventional bike, and without getting quite so damp from perspiration. If it gets more people out there on bikes, it can be a good thing. As a bike shop owner and bicycle mechanic, it’s certainly a trend I need to keep my eye on and learn about as it develops. And if you’re someone thinking about finding a more economical and environmentally low-impact way of getting around, and don’t feel you can do it all under your own power, you might look into what’s out there.

There were plenty of other things to see, I know, and if I were a hardcore “roadie” or mountain biker, I’d be writing about the new and exciting things happening there. But as a guy who looks to the bicycle as a way to get around and about, these are the things that really stood out for me. If you’re interested in seeing some of the other fun new stuff, take a look at www.interbike.com, or glance through some of the photos I snapped in the media player above. You can see all the pictures I took on my Flickr page.