Press Release
Foreign Policy and Folding Bikes
CAMBRIDGE, MA – February 2012 – The global community is questioning Iran’s intentions in developing a nuclear program. In response to sanctions scheduled to go into effect later this year, Iran has already stopped exporting oil to EU member states; it’s also threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz, which would cut off tanker traffic to and from oil-producing nations in the Persian Gulf. As tensions continue to escalate, the U.S. can expect to see spikes in oil prices similar to those caused by the oil crises of the 1970s. This looks like troubling news for the U.S. economy. With many Americans already struggling with rising costs of living, and income disparity at an all-time high, an extra hit at the gas pump is the last thing most people need.
Historically, when oil prices have soared, Americans have turned to the bicycle. In 1973, during the height of the oil crisis, bicycle sales exceeded automobile sales for the first time in U.S. history. And as oil prices hit record highs in 2008, bicycle sales reached near record levels once again; although the price of oil has since moderated, bicycle sales figures continue to climb. Indeed, the bicycle is a wise choice of vehicle for volatile economic times – for cyclists, the cost of gasoline is one less thing to worry about.
But what about the challenges of owning and riding a bicycle? Just because it’s affordable doesn’t necessarily make it a practical option. For people who live in cities or small apartments, storage is an issue; for people who have longer commutes, the distance alone can seem like an obstacle; and theft is a problem for everyone. But just as the auto industry has adapted since the 1970s to produce vehicles that better suit modern lifestyles, so too has the bicycle industry. While a steel 10-speed used to be standard issue, there are now bicycles available that can speak to each of the aforementioned cycling concerns, without sacrificing comfort, speed, or performance – Montague folding bikes.
For over 25 years, Montague Corporation has been designing full-size mountain and pavement bikes that fold in less than 20 seconds to a compact 36”x28”x12”. This makes them ideal for anyone with limited storage space, since they fit easily in a closet, under a desk, or in a car trunk. Easy indoor storage also helps protect against theft. And because they fit in the trunk of a car, Montague folding bikes offer a way for people to reduce their fuel consumption even if they can’t completely eliminate car travel – the “Park and Pedal” commute. With the bike in the trunk of the car, someone can drive part of the commute and ride the rest – whether it’s a 28 mile drive and a 2 mile ride or a 10 mile drive and a 20 mile ride – it’s all up to how far they want to ride on any given day.
What really distinguishes Montague folding bikes, however, is the quality of the ride. It’s easy enough to insert a hinge into the middle of a frame and call it a folding bike, but Montague employs a patented folding system that doesn’t compromise the integrity of the frame. Together with full-size wheels and industry standard components, Montague ensures that its folding bikes ride as well as any non-folding bicycle (and probably better than some of those relics from the 1970s).
Regardless of how the current situation in the Middle East plays out, the reality of a global economy is that the cost of everyday items, such as gasoline, is affected by events thousands of miles away. While there isn’t much the average person can do to change the price of oil, they can change their transportation habits. And with Montague folding bikes, it’s easier than ever before to incorporate cycling into a daily routine.
For information on Montague’s bike lines, visit www.montaguebikes.com or contact Montague at 800-736-5348.
About Montague Corporation
Montague Corporation is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is dedicated to advancing cycling through the development of inventive technologies that provide its customers with an unprecedented combination of performance and convenience. Montague has been manufacturing bikes and bike components for over 25 years. Visit www.montaguebikes.com or call toll free (800) 736-5348 for more information about Montague products and technologies.
###
