Coca-Cola and Lucky Strike. Two marvels in 20th century marketing success stories. Neither one necessary,
one actually deadly, but both generated huge profits through their marketing campaigns (and sympathetic politicians) over the years.

If that can be done for tobacco and sugar water, why can't it be done for cycling?

Shhh.

If the government finds out that bicycling is addictive, they will want to tax it, regulate it, and might even make it illegal.

Mike's got a point! Shhhh, don't tell anyone is right!!!

...and personally I don't think I'd enjoy seeing those politicians in Lycra.

Sssshh!
:D

For we as cyclists are insignifigant!

We just need to pool our money, time, and talent into a unified, national, grassroots effort.

Jonathan

As Mike illustrated in "Kicked Out of Carl's, Jr.," the internet is a great means for that "grassroots" effort.

Gets me thinking, though. Coca-Cola and Marlboro (nicotine, whatever) both operated from a profit motive and
proved extremely successful. I wonder why bicycle companies don't promote transportational cycling like they do
racing and mountain biking. I mean, sure they make money, but auto manufacturers don't rely entirely upon racing promotion for their sales.

What about promoting cycling (from a profit motive) in the many ways we talk about on this website. After all,
we have dozens (or more) of testimonials which show that cycling to work (or other places) is all of the following
rolled into one: Jenny Craig, Save the Whales, Prozac, Lipitor (sp?- a cholesterol lowering drug), Quaker Oats, orange juice, omega-3 fatty acids and the latest cardiac surgical technology (all "good for the heart"),
Honda Gas/Electric hybrid car (low emission), Body by Jake, economically wise, etc. Hm?

Good thinking, Pete.

You're onto something. A brilliant, eloquent person could submit proposals to cycle mfgs to help fund this thing.

Obviously, they feel that advertising to the general public outside of cycling mags is not cost-effective. And not all mfgs advertise there. They tend to rely on product placement more than advertising. But, they do have the power of press releases at their disposal. Sponsor a "commuting" event such as "Bike to Work Day". Submit press releases that talk about the many benefits of bike commuting, how easy it is, and how great it is on a insert bike make and model!

Jonathan

Better yet...

A bike mfg could sponsor a touring musician.

Radio spot:
Trek Bicycles presents, live in concert at Memorial Hall, Irish music sensation Jonathan Ramsey! Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 5 at local Texaco StarMarts and Carl's Jr Restaurants!


;)

Jonathan

That might be the best idea yet. Or a hot movie star on "Entertainment Tonight" (I never watch it, but when I
"pass by the t.v." I sometimes see parts of it), or several stars, who love their bikes as much as we do! If people will take up smoking just because Humphrey Bogart or Lauren Bacall did it, what would they do for Richard Gere or Julia Roberts? How about Denzel Washington or Whitney Houston? Some of these folks must be closet cyclists. How else would they get those great bods?

Maybe they can Sponsor Robin Williams. From what I've heard, he's a big time cyclist.

Most bike Manufacturers don't put much effort into promoting bikes as alternate means of transportation. I wonder if this has to do with the fact that most Americans think of bikes as merely toys.

I just read somewhere in a magazine that Hillary Swank and Chad Lowe road their bikes to an awards benefit. She was even wearing a dress!

Thats excellent!

Jonathan