Around here, we are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of folks who use a bike if they live within a few miles of work - even with the heat. And a lot more motorcycles are being drug out and used during the week, not just on one weekend a month for the Harley joy ride.
Like jayco mentions, there is an unfamiliarity with bikes and how to ride by a lot of folks plus the manufacturers will address a market only if they see opportunity. There are very good bikes around but they are not cheap and they are not kids toys, and can not be bought at W-mart, or K-mart, or a discount store. A real and useful bike costs real money and there are a lot of choices today as opposed to decades past.
As for opportunity for a Blacksmithing as it relates to the oil costs, I don't know. But something that may happen is a swing toward charcoal or coal by folks who use propane. Anybody know sources of inexpensive charcoal? - neighbors in cities might not like us making our own.
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