Walmart goes recumbent

In an unexpected development in the world of cycling, Walmart has started selling recumbent bikes.  As befits a big box store, it is not a great recumbent, but at $ 275 US - roughly half the price of previous introductory recumbents -  this may open the world of recumbent riding to more cyclists.

While most cycling sites and blogs focus on bicycle shops, it is a perhaps sad fact that over 80% of the bicycles sold in Canada are purchased  not in bike shops, but in large chain stores like Walmat, Canadian Tire, and the like.  So to understand trends in bicycle sales we really need to also pay attention to these sources, distasteful though that may be to some.

So what does this represent?  A brave new world for mass acceptance of recumbents?  Or proof positive that it is truly the 'end of days', at least for recumbent bikes?