|
According to the National Association of Sporting Goods Retailers, Cycling is the second most popular recreational activity in the United States, and it doesn’t even get mainstream television coverage.
Sports Activity | Participants (millions) |
Growth Since 1998 |
1 Fitness Walking |
80.8
|
4%
|
2 Cycling (all forms) |
64.3
|
4%
|
3 Swimming |
57.9
|
-1%
|
4 Camping |
50.1
|
8%
|
5 Exercising with Equipment |
45.2
|
-2%
|
6 Fishing |
46.7
|
7%
|
7 Bowling |
41.6
|
4%
|
8 Billiards/Pool |
32.1
|
0%
|
9 Basketball |
29.6
|
1%
|
10 Golf |
27
|
-2%
|
15 Running/Jogging |
22.4
|
-1%
|
18 Baseball |
16.3
|
3%
|
21 Soccer |
13.2
|
0%
|
26 Tennis |
10.9
|
-3%
|
27 Football (Tackle) |
8.7
|
7%
|
30 Ice/Figure Skating |
7.7
|
-2%
|
31 Skiing (Alpine) |
7.4
|
-4%
|
39 Gymnastics |
5
|
na
|
Bike Racing Demographics
Cycling demographics cover three areas of interest. Racing, Recreational cycling and Spectating. Like most professional sports, racers tend to be male, but female participation is on the rise, and cycling has a large proportion of female recreational riders and spectators.
Licensed Racers | |
Number of licensed racers | 72,000 |
Median Age | 34 |
Median Household Income | $75,000+ |
College Graduates | 81% |
Post Graduate | 27% |
Male / Female | 89% / 11% |
Professional/Managerial | 57% |
Married | 35% |
Recreational Riders |
|
Total U.S. Cyclists | 64.3 million |
Adults (16 and over) | 48 million |
Children | 14.3 million |
Avid cyclists (Fitness/health) | 31 million |
Male / Female Ratio (Adults) | 45% / 55% |
Median Age | 32 |
Median Household Income | $60,000+ |
College Graduates | 70% |
Cyclist to Golfers | 2.5 / 1 |
Spectators |
|
Total U.S. spectator base (est) | 11 million |
Adults (16 and over) | 9 million |
Children | 2 million |
Male / Female Ratio (Adults) | 50% / 50% |
Median Age | 37 |
Median Household Income | $75,000+ |
College Graduates | 60% |
Source: Simmons, MRI, USA Cycling Membership, Bicycling Magazine