Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1893 — VERY BIG FIGURES. [ARTICLE]

VERY BIG FIGURES.

Million* Spent for Hlcyclea by the People of Till* Country. Sinco tho bicycle crazo began tho people of this country hnvo invested more than $50,000,000 in wheels. Unfortunately exact figures aro not to be had, for the census does not enumerate bicycles as It does horses and sheep, and Indians not tuxod. This sum represents about 300,000 machines and gives one bicycle to every 209 persons throughout tho country. In New York City alone, it Is computed, there are 40,000 wheels in use. There is every indication that this is largely under tho actual number. These 40,000 wheels cost originally $5,000,000* and the stocks on hand and Investments in manufacturing and repairing machinery in tho city are given at $1,000,000 more, making the total investment for bicycles in that city alone $0,000,000. With a population of 1,700,000 and 40,000 wheels In use the average In New York City is one bicycle to every 42 J persons. A prominent bicycle dealer said recently that he sold 15,000 wheels at the New York offleo last year, and that tho number will reach 25,000 thid year. This is an average of moro than 80 machines for every working day for one maker alone. These machines do not, of course, all stay In the city. Even.of those that aro not shipped, but arc taken away by the purchasers, a large proportion go to the suburban towns. capital Invested In bicyclemaking machinery it is easier to give absolutely definite figures than the number of wheels in usSk. Alt the American manufacturers combined have $12,000,000 invested in plants and stock, and this amount increases at tho rate of about $2,000,000 a year by the improvement of the old factories and erection of new ones. Three million dollars more is to be added to this for investments in bicycle clubhouses and race tracks, making, with the $37,500,000 invested in wheels, a total of $52,500,000 invested in this country in bicycles and tho bicycle Interests. And this is a low estimate.