Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that in the past few decades, emerging new technologies have threatened the existence of the traditional bicycle. However, even with such threats, the bicycle has survived and has even grown in numbers, sales and use. Many poorer countries whose citizens do not have widespread access to cars or buses utilize the bicycle for travel, work and entertainment, while in richer countries such as the United States, the bicycle still maintains its common popularity. The writer maintains that the bicycle industry appears to be a viable industry despite the competition presented by technology. This paper discusses the manufacturing process of the bicycle, taking into account the history of the bicycle and the manner in which this process developed. The writer examines the present impact of the manufacturing process and concludes with a projection of the future usage of the bicycle.

Outline:
Introduction
History of the Bicycle
Early Manufacturing Process of the Bicycle
Early Placement in the Market & Present Impact of the Manufacturing Process
Projections of the Future Usage of the Bicycle
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The present manufacturing process greatly differs from the early processes utilized by companies such as Schwinn. In the present, frame manufacturers buy tubing from one source, frame fittings from others, and then fabricates a frame. Some companies outsource frame subassemblies and bicycle painting to other countries where the labor is cheaper. This differs greatly from the manufacturing process where all of the operations to produce a frame were manufactured in-house. The early manufacturing process consisted of making the tubing, the frame fittings, and joining the tubes and fittings into a frame and painting it. The only products the early manufacturers bought were coils of 1010 steel strip, as compared to buying separate pieces for each segment of the bicycle. This present manufacturing process will bring additional jobs to poorer countries, that will benefit from the domestic manufacture of bicycles. This outsourcing is positive because many of these poorer countries rely on bicycles as their primary means of transportation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen, D., Patrick, N. Hummer, J. & Milazzo, J. (1998). Operational Analysis of Uninterrupted Bicycle Facilities, Paper No. 98-0066, Transportation Research Record 1636, pp 29 - 36.
• Aultman-Hall, L. & Hall, F. (1998). Research Design Insights from a Survey of Urban Bicycle Commuters, Paper No. 98-0156, Transportation Research Record 1636, pp 11 - 28.
• Bicycle Museum. (2007) A Quick History of Bicycles. Retrieved November 6, 2007 from http://www.pedalinghistory.com/PHhistory.html.
• Dill, J. & Carr, T. (2003). Bicycle Commuting and Facilities in Major U.S. Cities: If You Build Them, Commuters Will Use Them - Another Look, Portland State University, Transportation Research Board, 2003 Annual Meeting.
• Imperato, G. (1997). Harley Shifts Gears. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from http://www.fastcompany.com/online/09/harley.html.

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