Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-26
.0B|T. Of THE BIKE
IN CENSUS REPORT
Official Figures That Show
Rapid Rise and Decline
of the Industry.

4. The obituary of the bicycle is writ
ten in a report just issued by the bu-
reau of the census on the bicycle and
motor cycle industry But out Of the
spirit of the dying industry has risen
one of more power-the motor cycle
industry. While the report Of the CEN
sus bureau deals merely in cold figures,
showing the rise and fall of the BIZ
cycle industry. il is left to the reader
10 determine the cause.
However. it isn't hard to figure out
that the American people are not the
kind to expend human strength in
pushing bicycles on long rides when
they can get engines to do it for them
and at a comparatively small cost. As
the popularity of the motor cycle grew
the bicycle seemed to lose it's place
as a pleasure vehicle, until now 1t is
used principally by messenger boys.
collectors and others who are compelled
to use them in their business. But
then. the motor cycle is gradually
working its way into these ranks.
At Height of Popularity.
The popularity of the bicycle seemed
to have reached its height between
1890 and 1895 according to the report
of the census bureau. From practically
that time onward a decrease was
shown. From 1.1S2.691 bicycles, valued
at s23.65e4S7 in 1899. the number de-
creased to 250.4S7, with a value of
S5.T40.9cS in 1904. The OUTPUT of motor
cycles increased from $50. valued at
s22,674 in 1890. to 2,32s, valued at $3.50.
$50. in 1904, and 1858. with a value Of
S3.o15. ass, in 1909.
The evolution of the bicycle from
primitive and rnServiceable types to a
useful and attractive means of travel"
says the document, may be said to
have taken place between 1858 and
1890: and it's perfection and Standard
zation into practically one form Of
structure. the modern safety between
1890 and 1895. During this latter
period the popularity of the bicycle
Secames so widespread that the indus
try grew very rapidly, but after about
1897 it began to decline"
Big Increase in Ten Years.
There were twenty-seven establish
ments engaged in the industry in 1880.
which gave employment to an average
of 1877 wage earners. and reported
products valued at s2.56S.326. At the
census of 1899, after the industry had
begun to decline. the average number
of wage earnerS was nearly ten times
and the value of products more than
twelve times as great as In 1883.
Rapid decline in the industry was
shown during the five-year period end
ing with 1904. The number Of es-
Establishments decreased from 312 to
101. or 67.6 per cent; the average num-
her of wage earners from 1885 to
1919, or Sill per cent: the value OF
products from 5,90S to $5,153.240
or S3.9 per cent and the value added
by manufacture (value of products less
cost of materially, from $15.123.S51 TO
$50. G94, or 1913 per cent.
In 1909, however. the industry seems to
have increased somewhat. although not
in the number of establishments. While
the number of establishments in that
year showed decrease from the number
IN 1904 the average number Of wage
earners increased Ills or 1871 per cent
and the value of products $5.J45,3Z1 or
1O1.6 per cent The most important factor
IN the renewal of activity in the in
dustry, says the report has been the
growing demand for motor cycles
Few Women Employed.
) The average number Of persons en-
gagged in the bicycle and motor cycle in
,dustry during 1909 was SOFT, Of whom
4. 40, or SS.4 per cent, were wage-earners.
OF the total number of persons engaged
i'm the industry only 3.3 per cent were
females. Of the establis hments reported
IN 1909 about half were operated by in
dividuals. The value of the products of
such establishments, however, represented
only ) per cent of the total value re-
ported Nearly all of the business is
done by establishments under corporate
ownership.
There was a considera BILE increase in
the relative Importance of establishments
having products valued at 100000 and
over; this class of establishments re-
ported 90.6 per cent of the total value of
products in 1909
As already stated, the industry was de-
.clining at the census of 1899, yet more
than 100000 bicycles were made In that
year. The output in 1904 was barely one
fifth as great and there had been a
further decline by 1909. No tandem
bicycles or tricycles for adults were man
ufactured in 1909, although their manu-
fracture had been reported at two pre-
feeding censuses. On the other hand, the
development of the motor cycle branch
of the industry has practically all taken
place within the decade 1S99-19O9, and
more particularly in the second half OF
THE decade.
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