I don't think the owners of the forum really care all that much. In fact, the owners of the forum are a car-oriented company.

Internet Brands owns the forum: Internet Brands, Inc. ? Our Brands

They started with their automotive range, and then began branching out. From their "About Us" page: "Since launching in 1998 as CarsDirect.com, Internet Brands has grown to become a fully integrated online media and client services organization focused on four high-value vertical categories: Automotive, Health, Legal and Home / Travel."

But if you go to the site, and look for Bike Forums, you won't find it in automotive. You won't find it in Health or Home and Travel ... you'll find it in Diversified Media along with a few other random forums.

IB bought BikeForums from Joe Gardener in 2007.
http://www.bikeforums.net/news-annou...orums-net.html

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The reason why Living Car Free and Utility are not being re-merged is because it is too much of an IT headache to do so.

As for why Living Car Free was created in the first place? Nothing to do with a "master plan" or a perceived "big surge in utility/transportation/everyday biking" ... it was created because someone, and likely more than one person, requested it. Much like how the Long Distance Forum, and Hybrid Forum, and all the other forums were created.

And as for why Living Car Free and Utility were separated ... from what I understand, the Utility people requested that change to get away from the Living Car Free crowd. Of course, as I alluded above, it is easier to separate than to rejoin. So separate they remain.