This past weekend proved that it could be a very good year on two wheels, as the world’s largest show for handmade bicycles took place in Austin, Texas. The National American Handmade Bicycle Show 2011, which ran from Friday to Sunday, saw the event set a new exhibitor record.
“After all the hard work over the years it is rewarding to see the show continue to hit new highs,” said Don Walker, founder and director of the annual bicycle show.”And being a former resident of Texas, I am deeply pleased to bring the show back here, to the state where it began. Six years later, there is not a bicycle show on the planet that matches NAHBS for sheer quality, and precious few shows of any type present such a smooth interface between art and engineering. This is the largest presentation of the best in the custom bicycles industry anywhere, period. In the cycling world, it’s worldwide news. In Austin, we see great potential for this show to bring together the sporting, artistic, health, transport, and engineering communities.”
A total of 172 exhibitors from more than 20 states and four continents were reported to have signed up for a booth at the show, with international exhibitors coming from Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. These included the finest examples of manufacture, design and style in the world of handmade bicycles – and the show reported to attract more than 7,000 members of the public, as well as 100 journalists.
While mass market bicycles continue to dominant the industry, it is still refreshing that so much innovation is taking place in the world of handmade bicycles.
North American Handmade Bicycle Show Official Site
The annual SXSW (South by South West) trade show is a week and half event that encompasses interactive, film and music. And this year the Austin, Texas-based event, which has made strides to be environmentally conscious, is offering its first-ever bike share program.