The return of bicycle manufacturing to American shores might seem improbable with nearly 99 percent of all bikes sold in the U.S. now made in China, Taiwan or other low-wage Asian countries. But two bicycle industry veterans are among those who believe that conditions are right for some of that manufacturing to come home.
The U.S. bicycle industry began moving to Asia in the early 1980s, and there has been a gradual shutdown domestically, from about 15 million bikes manufactured annually in the U.S. to about 350,000 today. Most of the bikes built in the U.S. now are by small, high-end niche builders.
Jay Townley, a former long-time executive with the iconic brand Schwinn and now a bicycle industry consultant, believes factors are converging to bring significant bicycle manufacturing back to the U.S. He cites two major reasons: the three to four weeks of shipping time from Asia to the U.S., and the decreasing attractiveness of China as its labor rates increase.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Green Guide 2011: Full Circle: Industry observers say bike building could return to the U.S.
Author: JOHN W. McCURRY
