What’s the health of the local bike economy? Still struggling, according to my occasional inventory of bikes vs other stuff, in the weekly newspaper ad by the sporting goods store in town.

The latest numbers, from the first week in May, 2013: Kayaks/canoes = 29; Guns = 22; Bikes = 16.

I could count golf clubs or softball bats, but why bother? Clearly bikes are occasional recreational devices, not essential, low-cost, personal transportation solutions. But with all the rain we’ve had, perhaps a kayak is more useful than a bike for getting around.