Earth Policy Institute Resources on BICYCLES and TRANSPORTATION

Bicycle Indicator

Eco-Economy Indicators are twelve trends that the Earth Policy Institute tracks to measure progress in building an eco-economy. Bicycle production measures our ability to provide affordable transportation, reduce traffic congestion, lower air pollution, increase mobility, and provide exercise to the world’s growing population.

The world produced an estimated 130 million bicycles in 2007—more than twice the 52 million cars produced. Bicycle and car production tracked each other closely in the mid-to-late 1960s, but bike output separated sharply from that of cars in 1970, beginning its steep climb to 105 million in 1988. Following a slowdown between 1989 and 2001, bike production has regained steam, increasing in each of the last six years. Much of the recent growth has been driven by the rise in electric, or “e-bike” production, which has doubled since 2004 to 21 million units in 2007. Overall, since 1970, bicycle output has nearly quadrupled, while car production has roughly doubled. MORE...

Key Data Related to BICYCLES and TRANSPORTATION:

World Bicycle and Automobile Production, 1950-2007 (figure and table)

Selected Cycling-Promotion Initiatives from around the World, 2008 (table)
     
Bicycle Production by Top Countries, 1990-2007 (table)

2005 Bicycle Indicator: Bicycle Production Remains Strong Worldwide

Why Ethanol Production Will Drive World Food Prices Even Higher in 2008 (24 January 2008)

Is World Oil Production Peaking? (15 November 2007)

Massive Diversion of U.S. Grain to Fuel Cars is Raising World Food Prices (21 March 2007)

Distillery Demand for Grain to Fuel Cars Vastly Understated: World May Be Facing Highest Grain Prices in History (4 January 2007)

Exploding U.S. Grain Demand for Automotive Fuel Threatens World Food Security and Political Stability (3 November 2006)

Supermarkets and Service Stations Now Competing for Grain (13 July 2006)

Let's Raise Gas Taxes and Lower Income Taxes (11 May 2006)

The Short Path to Oil Independence: Gas-Electric Hybrids and Wind Power Offer Winning Combination (13 October 2004)

Fuel Cell-Powered Cars Hitting the Road Ahead of Schedule (31 October 2002)

Air Pollution Fatalities Now Exceed Traffic Fatalities by 3 to 1 (17 September 2002)

World Turning to Bicycle for Mobility and Exercise (17 July 2002 )

Paving the Planet: Cars and Crops Competing for Land (14 February 2001)