The decline and rise of global cycle sport - an interesting quote

For 20 or 30 years at the beginning of the 20th Century cycle racing generally - both road and track - was by some reckoning either the top global sport or one of a select bunch of contenders. Bikes were everywhere in those days and races broke out both on velodromes and between towns. The sport's decline, especially in the US and Australia only set in as the motor car dropped in price and roads were "improved" to suit that new fangled transport. 

PezCycling News - What's Cool In Pro Cycling

“You’ve got to realize 100 years ago, or 90 or 80 years ago… bicycle racing was the No. 1 sport in the United States, and it was by far the richest sport in the world,” Eustice said. “The American version of the sport was glamour. It was speed. It was showbiz; indoor races in Madison Square Garden. I mean, the riders made enormous amounts of money…. It was this crazy nightclub sports atmosphere.”