Cycling Demographics

 
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%
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Source: Simmons, MRI, USA Cycling Membership, Bicycling Magazine