2015 Breakaway Research Group US Bicycling Participation Benchmarking Study Report

U.S.
Bicycling Participation
Benchmarking Study Report

Conducted by Breakaway Research Group
Commissioned by PeopleForBikes
Released March 2015
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Table of Contents
Advisory Board.4
Background and ObjecHves....5
Methodology.6
ExecuHve Summary7
Detailed Findings
Overall18
By Age31
By Gender and Region40
By Income and Ethnicity49
By Bicyclist Type..58
Advisory Board
Special thanks go to the following for consulHng on methodology:
Ralph Buehler: Associate Professor, Urban Aairs & Planning, Virginia

Tech
Charles Chancellor: Associate Professor, Department of Parks, RecreaHon,
and Tourism Management, Clemson University
Jennifer Dill: Professor, Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies &
Planning, Portland State University
Susan Handy: Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Policy,
University of California at Davis
Kevin Krizek: Professor, Programs in Environmental Design &
Environmental Studies, University of Colorado
Anne Lusk: Research ScienHst, Harvard School of Public Health
Nancy McGuckin: Travel Behavior Analyst
Chris Monsere: Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Portland State University
Elliot Rossen: ExecuHve Vice President, Market OpportuniHes and
InnovaHon, GfK Consumer Experiences North America
Dean Runyan: President, Dean Runyan and Associates
Elaine Zanubo: Vice President of Methods and AnalyHcs, Naxion
Background and Objectives

PeopleForBikes works to get more people riding bikes more ocen.
Accurate informaHon on bicycling parHcipaHon is essenHal in
evaluaHng our overall work and the eecHveness of our key projects.
Previous research on bicycling parHcipaHon has been hampered by a
variety of methodological limitaHons (e.g., types of bicycling
measured, context of parHcipaHon quesHons, etc.). This new
parHcipaHon research, which was commissioned by PeopleForBikes
and conducted by Breakaway Research Group, is designed to address
these limitaHons and standardize how parHcipaHon in bicycling is
measured and tracked over Hme.
Key project objecHves are as follows:
Provide a reliable staHsHcal metric for bicycling parHcipaHon among those

ages 3+ in the U.S.
Develop a methodological approach that can be applied in specic
locaHons to quanHfy parHcipaHon and the impact of investments in
infrastructure
Track bicycling parHcipaHon rates over Hme to measure the return-on-
investment of programs designed to increase parHcipaHon
Methodology
A 10-minute online survey was conducted in November/
December 2014
A total of 16,193 U.S. adults ages 18+ completed the survey
Adults with children ages 3-17 in their homes also reported on a
total of 8,858 children
This sample provides an overall margin of error +/- less than 1%
at a 95% level of condence
Bicycling parHcipaHon was measured in the context of 10

acHviHes including leisure acHviHes, chores, and sports*
The sample was weighted to represent the U.S. populaHon
ages 3+ for gender, age, region, ethnicity, and income
To control for response bias, those who reported having visited a
cHonal website were terminated from the survey**
*Research suggests that asking about a single acHvity inates reported parHcipaHon whereas asking about an acHvity like
bicycling in the context of more than 25 other acHviHes arHcially reduces reported parHcipaHon.
**Pre-test results revealed that 58% of those who report having visited a cHonal website report having parHcipated in all
acHviHes, compared to only 5% of those who didnt report having visited a cHonal website. These results indicate that the
cHonal website metric is an eecHve indicator of response bias.
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Thirty-four percent or 103.7 million Americans (ages 3 and older)
rode a bicycle in the past year
All Bicycling
Participating 1+ Days
%
# (in millions)
34%
103.7
%
# (in millions)
24%
72.9
Of those who rode, about half rode twice a month or less ocen
Occasional (1-24)
Moderate (25-103)
Committed (104+)
Mean
Median
Bicycling
54%
32%
14%
54.21
20.00
Executive Summary
Thirty-two percent or 95.5 million Americans (ages 3 and older)
rode a bicycle for recreaHon in the past year
%
# (in millions)
%
# (in millions)
Recreation
32%
95.5
21%
63.5
Of those who rode for recreaHon, nearly 60% rode twice a month
or less ocen
Occasional (1-24)
Moderate (25-103)
Committed (104+)
Mean
Median
Recreation
59%
31%
10%
43.20
15.00
Executive Summary
Ficeen percent or 45.1 million Americans (ages 3 and older) rode
a bicycle for transportaHon in the past year
%
# (in millions)
%
# (in millions)
Transportation
15%
45.1
9%
27.1
Of those who rode for transportaHon, more than 60% rode twice
a month or less ocen
Transportation
Occasional (1-24)
64%
Moderate (25-103)
25%
Committed (104+)
11%
Mean
40.23
Median
10.00
10
Executive Summary
Traveling to and from social events and running errands are
the most common types of transportaHon trips
Americans (ages 3 and older) who rode for transportaHon took
a median of two trips per week traveling to and from social
events and one trip per week running errands
11
Executive Summary
Among Americans (ages 3 and older) who rode:
The median number of minutes spent riding per day was 30
(on a typical riding day)
Among Americans (ages 18 and older) who didnt ride:

Only 12% have never ridden a bicycle
Twenty-nine percent say they are likely to ride in the future
Forty-four percent say they are unlikely to ride in the future

12
Executive Summary
Bicycling is perceived as a convenient way to travel and many
adults say they would like to ride more ocen
Ficy-four percent report bicycling is convenient and 53% would

like to ride more ocen
However, concerns about trac pose a signicant barrier
Ficy-two percent are worried about being hit by a motor vehicle
Improved infrastructure is a key component of safety
Forty-six percent of adults would be more likely to ride if bicycles

were physically separated from cars
Only 31% are saHsed with the bike lanes, paths, and trails
available to them
Twenty-nine percent nd it easy to connect bicycling with public
transit
Availability of a working bicycle also poses a challenge
Forty-eight percent of adults dont have a working bicycle in their

household
13
Key Insights
Bicycling parHcipaHon is substanHally higher than previously
esHmated
Discrepancies with previous research are likely to due
methodological dierences (see next slide)
PeopleForBikes
Benchmark (2014)
Physical Activity Council
(PAC; 2014)
Best PFB
Comparison (2014)
National Sporting Goods
Association (NSGA; 2014)
Best PFB
Comparison (2014)
Type of
Bicycling
Days Defining
Participation
Ages
Number of
activities
Participation %
Participation #
(in millions)
All Types
1+
3+
10
34%
103.7
Recreation
1+
6+
120
16%
46.6
Recreation
1+
6+
10
31%
88.6
Recreation
6+
7+
50
12%
35.6
Recreation
6+
7+
10
19%
55.6
14
Methodological Differentiators
Bicycling parHcipaHon is dened very broadly to include any type
of riding that takes place outside
Including recreaHonal riding and riding for transportaHon
Bicycling parHcipaHon is measured in the context of 10 acHviHes

Research suggests that measuring bicycling parHcipaHon within
the context of a single acHvity inates esHmates of parHcipaHon
and asking in the context of more than 25 acHviHes arHcially
reduces esHmates
The list of acHviHes sets a broad cogniHve framework that

includes leisure acHviHes, sports, transportaHon, and chores
PosiHve response bias is controlled through reports of visits to a
cHonal website
ParHcipaHon esHmates met criteria for external validaHon
The Pew Research Center esHmates 76% of adults read at least

one book in the past year
In comparison, 74% of adults who completed this survey said that
they read a book at least one day in the past year
15
Key Insights
Thirty percent of those who rode in the past year did so fewer
than six days
These infrequent riders represent the best opportunity for
increasing parHcipaHon frequency
Twenty-nine percent of adults rode a bicycle at least once in the

past 12 months
Another 21% didnt ride in the past year but intend to do so in the
future
This group represents the best opportunity for increasing bicycling
parHcipaHon
Thirty-one percent didnt ride in the past year and are unlikely to
ride in the future
These results are consistent with the Portland State University
ndings that 33% of the populaHon belong to the no way no how
group (Geller, 2009)
16
Key Insights
More than half of Americans (ages 18 and older) would like to
bicycle more ocen and perceive bicycling as a convenient mode
of transportaHon
Concern about motor vehicle trac is a key barrier that
infrastructure improvements can address
Infrastructure improvements will have the biggest impact on
underserved populaHons such as young adults, females, and non-
whites
Availability of an operaHonal bicycle is also a key barrier

suggesHng opportunity for bike-share programs, bike libraries,
etc.
Programs that increase access will have the biggest impact on
older adults, women, adults with low income, and Blacks
17
Detailed Findings: Overall
18
The key Jinding is located in this

header
How to read slides in the detailed
ndings sec2ons
Data charts and tables are located
in the middle of the slide
Related ndings
of interest are
described in call-
out boxes
19
QuesHon text and unweighted base sizes are located in the footer
Thirty-four percent of Americans ages

3+ rode a bicycle in the last year
Percent Participating at Least Once in the Past 12 Months
Watched T.V.
96%
Consumed a beverage with caffeine
85%
Read a book
76%
Visited a social media website
75%
Used any kind of public transportation
41%
Ran or jogged outside
40%
Visited a museum of any type
40%
Worked at home after hours
39%
Rode a bicycle
34%
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you parHcipated in the following acHviHes?
Base: All (25,051)
Twenty-four
percent rode six
or more days in
the past year
20
Of those who rode, 30% rode fewer

than six days
Bicycling Frequency
Rode 1-5 days
Rode 6-12 days
30%
14% 3% 7%
32%
14%
Rode 13-18 days
Rode 19-24 days

Rode 25-103 days
Rode 104+ days
Mean: 54.21
Median: 20.00
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you parHcipated in the following acHviHes?
Base: Those who rode a bicycle at least once in the past 12 months (11,233)
21
Of those who rode, most rode for

recreation
RecreaHon
57%
Both
36%
TransportaHon
8%
22
Q4. How many of those days did you parHcipate in each of the following types of bicycling?
Base: All (25,051)
Of those who rode for recreation, one-

third rode six days or fewer
Recreational Bicycling Frequency

Rode 1-5 days
Rode 6-12 days

33%
14%
4% 7%
31%
10%
Rode 13-18 days

Rode 19-24 days
Rode 25-103 days
Rode 104+ days
Mean: 43.20
Median: 15.00
Base: Those who ride for recreaHon (10,540)
23
Of those who rode for transportation,

40% rode six days or fewer
Transportation Bicycling Frequency

Rode 1-5 days
Rode 6-12 days
40%
14%
4% 6%
25%
11%
Rode 13-18 days
Rode 19-24 days

Rode 25-103 days
Rode 104+ days
Mean: 40.23
Median: 10.00
Base: Those who ride for transportaHon (4,478)
24
Riding to social events and running

errands are the most common
Percent Participating in a Typical Week
Traveling to and from s ocial,
recreation, or leisure activities
70%
Running e rrands or shopping
63%
Traveling to and from work or school
46%
Traveling to and from public

transportation
Escorting children to and from school
or daycare
Other type of transportation bicycling
32%
19%
24%
25
Q5. During a typical week, how many of the following types of transportaHon-related bicycle trips/rides do you take?
Base: Those who ride for transportaHon (4,478)
Eighty-eight percent of adults who

didnt ride in the past year have ridden
Ever Ridden a Bike
12%
Yes
No
88%
26
Q12. Have you ever ridden a bicycle?
Base: Adults 18+ who have not ridden a bicycle within the last 12 months (10,463)
Twenty-nine percent of those who

didnt ride this year intend to do so
Intent to Ride a Bicycle in the Future
27%
Extremely Unlikely
17%
26%
Unlikely
Neutral
20%
Likely
9%
Extremely Likely
27
Q13. How likely are you to ride a bicycle in the future?
Base: Adults 18+ who have not ridden a bicycle within the last 12 months (10,463)
Nearly half of adults dont have access

to an operational bicycle
Access to an Operational Bicycle
48%
52%
No
Yes
28
Q15. How many operaHonal adult bicycles does your household own?
Base: Adults 18+ (16,193)
Bicycling is perceived as convenient

but concern about trafJic is a barrier
Perceptions about Bicycling
(% selecting 4 or 5)
Bicycling is a convenient way to get from one place to another
54%
I would like to ride a bicycle more often
53%
I worry about being hit by a motor vehicle when riding a bicycle in my area
52%
I would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor vehicles and bicycles were
physically separated by a barrier
46%
I am familiar with the bicycle lanes, paths, and trails in my area
45%
I typically wear a helmet when I ride a bicycle
40%
I worry about my personal s afety when riding a bicycle in my area (e.g. being
mugged, etc.)
35%
I am s atisfied with the number and condition of the bike lanes, paths, and
trails in my area
31%
It is easy to combine bicycling and public transit in my area

I feel more safe riding a bicycle now than I did five years ago
Q16. Please indicate how much you agree with the following statements.
Base: Adults 18+ (16,193)
29%
17%
29
Those who rode in the last year feel safer than

those who didnt relative to Jive years ago
Perceptions about Bicycling
(% selecting 4 or 5)
44%
50%
I would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor vehicles and bicycles were
physically separated by a barrier
43%
63%
56%
51%
54%
I am s atisfied with the number and condition of the bike lanes, paths, and
trails in my area
28%
38%
Non-Riders
Riders
26%

I worry about my personal s afety when riding a bicycle in my area (e.g. being
mugged, etc.)
Q16. Please indicate how much you agree with the following statements.
Base: Adults 18+ who rode a bicycle in the past 12 months (5,730)
63%
38%
74%
37%
36%
34%
13%
29%
44% of those
who didnt ride
in the last year
would like to do
so more ocen
30
Detailed Findings by Age
31
Throughout this secHon, green/red highlighHng indicates values that are staHsHcally higher/lower than the total at a 95%
level of condence.
The percentage of people who rode

declines by age
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you participated in the following activities? Percent Summary
Age
Total
3 to 9
10 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54
55+
Unweighted Base
25051
4334
4524
3235
3232
3236
3249
3241
Ridden a bicycle
Watched T.V.
Read a book
34%
96%
39%
75%
76%
40%
41%
40%
85%
60%
94%
62%
14%
74%
59%
31%
53%
46%
55%
95%
93%
70%
86%
60%
41%
52%
73%
42%
94%
28%
94%
83%
68%
57%
39%
88%
36%
95%
38%
92%
79%
56%
47%
44%
91%
32%
95%
35%
88%
73%
39%
44%
38%
91%
27%
97%
31%
81%
68%
24%
39%
30%
92%
19%
97%
20%
72%
72%
15%
33%
34%
92%
32
Among those who rode, frequency

declines with age
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you participated in the following activities? Bicycling
bicyclists)
Age
Total
3 to 9
10 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54
Unweighted Base
11233
2814
2689
1488
1331
1195
1045
Ridden 1-5 days
30%
12%
17%
39%
40%
36%
36%
Ridden 6-12 days
14%
12%
12%
13%
14%
16%
15%
Ridden 13-18 days
3%
3%
4%
3%
4%
2%
3%
Ridden 19-24 days
7%
9%
7%
8%
7%
7%
8%
Ridden 25-103 days
32%
44%
39%
28%
26%
28%
26%
Ridden 104+ days
14%
21%
20%
10%
9%
10%
12%
(base
55+
671
36%
14%
5%
3%
28%
14%
33
Participation in recreational and

transportation riding declines with age
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling? Base All
Age
Total
3 to 9
10 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54
55+
Unweighted Base
25051
4334
4524
3235
3232
3236
3249
3241
Recreational riders 1+
Transportation riders 1+
32%
15%
59%
11%
51%
25%
36%
27%
32%
19%
29%
16%
24%
12%
17%
7%
34
Among those who rode for recreation,

frequency declines with age
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling? Recreation
Riding (base recreational bicyclists)
Age
Total
3 to 9
10 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54
55+
Unweighted Base
10540
2788
2506
1313
1219
1111
974
629
Ridden 1-5 days
33%
14%
21%
47%
46%
39%
40%
38%
Ridden 6-12 days
14%
11%
13%
16%
15%
16%
15%
16%
Ridden 13-18 days
4%
4%
4%
4%
5%
6%
3%
5%
Ridden 19-24 days
7%
9%
8%
7%
5%
6%
8%
4%
Ridden 25-103 days
31%
43%
39%
21%
24%
27%
26%
28%
Ridden 104+ days
10%
20%
15%
6%
5%
6%
7%
9%
35
Those 25 to 34 are particularly

infrequent transportation riders
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling? Transportation
Riding (base transportation bicyclists)
Age
Total
3 to 9
10 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54
55+
Unweighted Base
4478
518
1304
882
637
518
390
229
Ridden 1-5 days
40%
41%
29%
41%
46%
43%
38%
41%
Ridden 6-12 days
14%
18%
14%
13%
13%
14%
17%
15%
Ridden 13-18 days
4%
6%
4%
4%
5%
5%
5%
2%
Ridden 19-24 days
6%
6%
7%
4%
6%
6%
5%
7%
Ridden 25-103 days
25%
23%
32%
28%
21%
21%
24%
21%
Ridden 104+ days
11%
7%
13%
10%
9%
11%
11%
14%
36
Older transportation riders are most

likely to run errands by bike
Q5. During a typical week, how many of the following types of transportation-related bicycle trips/rides do you take?
Percent Summary
Age
Total
3 to 9
10 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54
55+
Unweighted Base
4478
518
1304
882
637
518
390
229

Traveling to and from public transportation
Escorting children to and from school or
daycare
Running errands or shopping
Traveling to and from social, recreation, or
leisure activities
46%
32%
55%
43%
49%
29%
62%
40%
52%
39%
40%
33%
33%
27%
23%
14%
19%
41%
23%
20%
19%
20%
10%
9%
63%
47%
50%
63%
67%
68%
73%
70%
70%
81%
82%
71%
68%
66%
62%
60%
24%
27%
21%
23%
20%
25%
24%
31%
37
Young adults who didnt ride are least

likely to have ever ridden a bike
However, young adults who didnt ride in the past year are more
likely to intend to ride in the future than their older counterparts
Total
18 to 24
25 to 34
Age
35 to 44
Unweighted Base
10463
1747
1901
2041
2204
2570
Yes
No
88%
12%
85%
15%
85%
15%
87%
13%
89%
11%
89%
11%
45 to 54
55+

Total
18 to 24
25 to 34
Age
35 to 44
Unweighted Base
10463
1747
1901
2041
2204
2570
Extremely Unlikely
Unlikely
Neutral
Likely
Extremely Likely
Topbox
27%
17%
26%
20%
9%
30%
16%
16%
33%
22%
14%
36%
15%
13%
28%
26%
18%
44%
19%
13%
32%
26%
10%
36%
24%
17%
28%
22%
9%
30%
39%
20%
21%
15%
5%
19%
45 to 54
55+
38
Infrastructure is most likely to impact

young adults
Q16. Please indicate how much you agree with the following statements. Topbox Summary
Total
18 to 24
25 to 34
Age
35 to 44
45 to 54
55+
Unweighted Base
16193
3235
3232
3236
3249
3241

I am satisfied with the number and condition of the bike lanes, paths, and
trails in my area
I worry about my personal safety when riding a bicycle in my area (e.g.
being mugged, etc.)
I would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor vehicles and bicycles
were physically separated by a barrier
54%
52%
45%
55%
50%
46%
54%
53%
44%
52%
53%
44%
57%
54%
46%
52%
51%
44%
31%
32%
32%
28%
30%
31%
35%
38%
37%
38%
37%
31%
29%
53%
35%
55%
32%
61%
30%
59%
29%
55%
24%
44%
46%
50%
53%
49%
47%
40%
17%
40%
29%
31%
25%
45%
19%
39%
15%
39%
10%
43%
39
Detailed Findings by Gender and Region
40
level of condence.
The percentage of people who rode is

highest among men
Total
Gender
Male
Female
Region
Northeast Midwest
South
Unweighted Base
25051
12684
12367
6067
6489
6331
6164
Ridden a bicycle
Watched T.V.
Read a book
34%
96%
39%
75%
76%
40%
41%
40%
85%
39%
95%
42%
71%
70%
44%
42%
39%
84%
30%
96%
36%
78%
81%
36%
39%
40%
86%
30%
96%
36%
76%
76%
36%
56%
41%
85%
36%
96%
35%
77%
74%
34%
34%
38%
88%
34%
96%
42%
72%
75%
43%
35%
38%
84%
37%
95%
39%
75%
78%
44%
44%
42%
84%
West
41
Among those who rode, frequency is

highest in the South
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you participated in the following activities?
Bicycling (base bicyclists)
Gender
Region
Total
Male
Female Northeast Midwest
South
West
Unweighted Base
11233
6234
4999
2658
3177
2583
2815
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
30%
14%
3%
7%
32%
14%
27%
13%
3%
7%
33%
16%
33%
14%
3%
7%
30%
12%
32%
14%
4%
7%
32%
11%
28%
14%
4%
8%
34%
12%
27%
13%
3%
7%
33%
17%
33%
15%
3%
6%
29%
14%
42
Participation is highest among men for

both transportation and recreation
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling?
Base All
Gender
Region
Total
Male
South
West
Unweighted Base
25051
12684
12367
6067
6489
6331
6164
32%
15%
36%
19%
28%
11%
28%
13%
33%
18%
32%
12%
33%
18%
43
Among those who rode for recreation,

frequency is highest in the South
Recreation Riding (base recreational bicyclists)
Gender
Region
Total
Male
South
West
Unweighted Base
10540
5783
4757
2508
2983
2453
2596
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
33%
14%
4%
7%
31%
10%
31%
14%
4%
7%
32%
11%
36%
15%
4%
7%
29%
9%
35%
16%
4%
6%
31%
8%
33%
15%
5%
8%
31%
8%
30%
13%
4%
7%
33%
14%
38%
16%
4%
6%
27%
9%
44
The frequency of transportation riding

is highest among men
Transportation Riding (base transportation bicyclists)
Gender
Region
Total
Male
South
West
Unweighted Base
4478
2824
1654
1015
1324
898
1241
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
40%
14%
4%
6%
25%
11%
36%
15%
4%
7%
27%
12%
45%
14%
5%
5%
22%
9%
38%
16%
5%
6%
28%
7%
38%
14%
4%
7%
25%
11%
42%
13%
4%
6%
23%
12%
40%
15%
4%
5%
25%
11%
45
Those in the West are especially likely

to use a bike for commuting
Q5. During a typical week, how many of the following types of transportation-related bicycle trips/rides do you
take? Percent Summary
Gender
Region
Total
Male
South
West
Unweighted Base

Traveling to and from public transportation
Escorting children to and from school or
daycare
Traveling to and from social, recreation, or
leisure activities
4478
2824
1654
1015
1324
898
1241
46%
47%
45%
46%
42%
45%
51%
32%
33%
31%
36%
28%
32%
35%
19%
19%
19%
19%
16%
21%
20%
63%
66%
58%
65%
65%
60%
64%
70%
71%
68%
73%
69%
70%
70%
24%
24%
23%
25%
22%
26%
23%
46
Those in the Northeast are least likely

to have ever ridden a bike
Those in the Northeast and Midwest who didnt ride are less likely
to intend to ride in the future than those in other regions
Gender
Total
Male
Female
Region
Northeast Midwest
South
West
Unweighted Base
10463
4787
5676
2683
2473
2788
2519
Yes
No
88%
12%
88%
12%
87%
13%
84%
16%
90%
10%
88%
12%
88%
12%

Gender
Region
Total
Male
South
West
Unweighted Base
10463
4787
5676
2683
2473
2788
2519
Extremely Unlikely
Unlikely
Neutral
Likely
Extremely Likely
Topbox
27%
17%
26%
20%
9%
30%
23%
18%
27%
21%
10%
31%
30%
16%
26%
20%
9%
29%
30%
18%
24%
18%
9%
28%
29%
16%
25%
21%
9%
30%
25%
16%
27%
22%
10%
31%
26%
18%
28%
19%
10%
29%
47
Infrastructure is a particular challenge

for females and those in the South
Gender
Region
Total
Male
South
West
Unweighted Base

I worry about being hit by a motor vehicle when riding a
bicycle in my area
I am familiar with the bicycle lanes, paths, and trails in my
area
I am satisfied with the number and condition of the bike lanes,
paths, and trails in my area
I worry about my personal safety when riding a bicycle in my
area (e.g. being mugged, etc.)
I would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor vehicles and
bicycles were physically separated by a barrier
16193
8092
8101
4061
4061
4036
4035
54%
55%
53%
53%
54%
53%
55%
52%
49%
54%
50%
46%
56%
54%
45%
49%
41%
41%
46%
43%
50%
31%
34%
28%
27%
34%
27%
37%
35%
31%
39%
33%
29%
39%
38%
29%
53%
32%
54%
26%
52%
25%
50%
28%
54%
26%
54%
37%
53%
46%
45%
48%
44%
42%
50%
48%
17%
40%
21%
39%
14%
41%
16%
47%
16%
29%
18%
41%
19%
43%
48
Detailed Findings by Income and Ethnicity
49
level of condence.
Hispanics are most likely to have

ridden a bicycle in the past year
Income
Ethnicity
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Other
Unweighted Base
25051
11830
3848
3071
3534
2768
18857
1912
1823
2459
Ridden a bicycle
Watched T.V.
Read a book
34%
96%
39%
75%
76%
40%
41%
40%
85%
39%
94%
44%
69%
74%
44%
41%
37%
78%
25%
97%
26%
82%
74%
33%
34%
34%
93%
27%
98%
31%
81%
78%
35%
36%
41%
92%
34%
98%
37%
81%
81%
39%
44%
51%
94%
39%
98%
54%
79%
85%
43%
60%
64%
94%
32%
96%
34%
76%
75%
32%
35%
39%
89%
33%
95%
41%
72%
72%
47%
50%
33%
77%
43%
96%
52%
71%
78%
59%
49%
46%
77%
40%
92%
48%
77%
79%
54%
53%
45%
80%
50
Those with incomes less than $20K

rode most frequently
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you participated in the following activities? Bicycling (base bicyclists)
Income
Ethnicity
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Unweighted Base
11233
6386
1152
1015
1401
1279
8551
744
807
1131
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
30%
14%
3%
7%
32%
14%
25%
13%
3%
8%
34%
17%
39%
15%
3%
6%
28%
10%
35%
17%
4%
6%
29%
10%
36%
13%
5%
7%
29%
10%
35%
15%
5%
5%
30%
11%
29%
13%
3%
7%
32%
14%
32%
15%
2%
6%
32%
13%
28%
13%
4%
7%
32%
16%
35%
13%
2%
6%
31%
12%
51
Hispanics are most likely to have ridden

for transportation and recreation
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling? Base All
Income
Ethnicity
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Other
Unweighted Base
25051
11830
3848
3071
3534
2768
18857
1912
1823
2459
32%
15%
35%
17%
23%
12%
26%
11%
33%
13%
37%
14%
29%
13%
31%
15%
41%
18%
35%
21%
52
Those with incomes under $20K rode

for recreation most frequently
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling? Recreation Riding (base
recreational bicyclists)
Income
Ethnicity
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Unweighted Base
10540
6030
1044
945
1321
1200
8050
707
769
1014
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
33%
14%
4%
7%
31%
10%
29%
14%
4%
7%
33%
13%
43%
16%
4%
6%
25%
6%
38%
18%
5%
5%
28%
6%
39%
15%
5%
6%
28%
7%
39%
15%
5%
5%
29%
7%
32%
15%
5%
7%
31%
10%
37%
14%
3%
5%
30%
10%
32%
14%
4%
6%
31%
12%
40%
15%
4%
6%
28%
8%
53
Those with incomes under $20K also

rode for transportation most frequently
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types of bicycling? Transportation Riding (base
transportation bicyclists)
Income
Ethnicity
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Unweighted Base
4478
2367
593
440
577
501
3275
326
341
536
Non-riders
Ridden 1-5 days
Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
40%
14%
4%
6%
25%
11%
37%
14%
4%
6%
27%
12%
48%
14%
5%
5%
19%
10%
43%
15%
7%
6%
19%
11%
43%
16%
3%
6%
25%
7%
42%
16%
4%
9%
23%
7%
37%
16%
4%
6%
25%
12%
47%
12%
6%
4%
23%
8%
42%
12%
7%
6%
24%
9%
41%
13%
1%
6%
29%
10%
54
Hispanics are most likely to use the

bike to commute and for social reasons
Q5. During a typical week, how many of the following types of transportation-related bicycle trips/rides do you take? Percent
Summary
Income
Ethnicity
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Unweighted Base
Traveling to and from work or

school
transportation
Escorting children to and from
school or daycare
Traveling to and from social,
Other type of transportation
bicycling
4478
2367
593
440
577
501
3275
326
341
536
46%
50%
44%
36%
38%
35%
40%
49%
58%
52%
32%
35%
31%
26%
28%
19%
23%
44%
49%
36%
19%
22%
17%
12%
18%
17%
15%
30%
27%
18%
63%
60%
71%
68%
67%
59%
61%
67%
65%
65%
70%
72%
64%
68%
73%
71%
67%
72%
77%
70%
24%
25%
25%
25%
15%
22%
24%
30%
21%
23%
55
Non-whites who dont ride are least

likely to have ever ridden a bike
However, non-whites who didnt ride are more likely to intend to
ride in the future than are their white counterparts
Total
Under
$20K
$20K to
< $40K
Income
$40K to
< $60K
Ethnicity
Unweighted Base
10463
2089
2696
2056
2133
1489
8048
850
613
952
Yes
No
88%
12%
85%
15%
89%
11%
90%
10%
91%
9%
92%
8%
90%
10%
82%
18%
83%
17%
83%
17%
$60K to
< $100K
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other

Income
Under
$20K to $40K to
Total
$20K
< $40K
< $60K
Ethnicity
$60K to
< $100K
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
Unweighted Base
10463
2089
2696
2056
2133
1489
8048
850
613
952
Extremely Unlikely
Unlikely
Neutral
Likely
Extremely Likely
Topbox
27%
17%
26%
20%
9%
30%
28%
16%
27%
18%
10%
28%
28%
17%
26%
20%
9%
30%
28%
17%
25%
20%
9%
30%
21%
17%
29%
24%
9%
33%
22%
21%
22%
25%
11%
36%
31%
18%
25%
18%
8%
27%
18%
16%
29%
24%
12%
36%
18%
14%
31%
27%
10%
37%
21%
13%
30%
23%
13%
36%
56
Infrastructure is a particular challenge

among non-whites
Income
Under
$20K to $40K to $60K to
Total
$20K
< $40K
< $60K < $100K
Unweighted Base
Bicycling is a convenient way to get from one

place to another
I worry about being hit by a motor vehicle when
riding a bicycle in my area
I am familiar with the bicycle lanes, paths, and
trails in my area
I am satisfied with the number and condition of
the bike lanes, paths, and trails in my area
I worry about my personal safety when riding a
bicycle in my area (e.g. being mugged, etc.)
It is easy to combine bicycling and public transit
in my area
I would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor
vehicles and bicycles were physically separated
by a barrier
I feel more safe riding a bicycle now than I did five
years ago
Ethnicity
$100K+
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
16193
2972
3848
3071
3534
2768
12375
1201
1008
1609
54%
55%
55%
52%
51%
50%
52%
60%
56%
55%
52%
49%
53%
53%
55%
59%
52%
49%
56%
54%
45%
41%
45%
46%
50%
57%
44%
49%
47%
45%
31%
29%
31%
33%
33%
34%
30%
34%
32%
32%
35%
36%
37%
33%
34%
31%
32%
39%
43%
42%
29%
31%
28%
27%
27%
24%
25%
39%
35%
33%
53%
50%
53%
53%
58%
60%
52%
54%
57%
55%
46%
44%
46%
46%
51%
52%
44%
48%
53%
53%
17%
19%
16%
16%
18%
18%
14%
23%
28%
23%
40%
31%
41%
39%
49%
59%
38%
41%
43%
42%
57
Detailed Findings by Rider Type
58
level of condence.
Those who rode for multiple purposes

did so most often
Q1. In the past 12 months, how many days have you participated in
the following activities? Bicycling (base bicyclists)
Bicyclist Types
Recreation
All
Recreation Transportation
and
Bicyclists
Only
Only
Transportation
Unweighted Base
11233
6755
693
3785
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
30%
14%
3%
7%
32%
14%
35%
15%
3%
6%
30%
11%
39%
12%
3%
4%
25%
17%
20%
12%
3%
8%
37%
20%
59
The frequency of recreational riding is

relatively consistent across rider types
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types
of bicycling? Recreation Riding (base recreational bicyclists)
Bicyclist Types
All
Bicyclists
Only
Only
Unweighted Base
10540
6755
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
33%
14%
4%
7%
31%
10%
35%
15%
3%
6%
30%
11%
Recreation
and
Transportation
3785
31%
14%
6%
7%
32%
10%
60
Those who rode only for

transportation rode most often
Q4. How many of those days did you participate in each of the following types
of bicycling? Transportation Riding (base transportation bicyclists)
Bicyclist Types
All
Bicyclists
Only
Only
Unweighted Base
4478
Ridden 1-5 days

Ridden 6-12 days
Ridden 13-18 days
Ridden 19-24 days
Ridden 25-103 days
Ridden 104+ days
40%
14%
4%
6%
25%
11%
Recreation
and
Transportation
693
3785
39%
12%
3%
4%
25%
17%
40%
15%
5%
6%
25%
9%
61
Those who rode for multiple purposes

are more likely to take all types of trips
Q5. During a typical week, how many of the following types of transportationrelated bicycle trips/rides do you take? Percent Summary
Bicyclist Types
All
Bicyclists
Only
Only
Unweighted Base
Traveling to and from work or

school
transportation
Escorting children to and from
school or daycare
Traveling to and from social,
Other type of transportation
bicycling
4478
Recreation
and
Transportation
693
3785
46%
41%
47%
32%
19%
35%
19%
8%
22%
63%
55%
65%
70%
39%
77%
24%
15%
26%
62
Only half of those who rode only for

transportation want to ride more often
Bicyclist Types
All
Bicyclists
Only
Only
Unweighted Base
Bicycling is a convenient way to get from one place to

another
I worry about being hit by a motor vehicle when riding a
bicycle in my area
I am familiar with the bicycle lanes, paths, and trails in
my area
I am satisfied with the number and condition of the bike
lanes, paths, and trails in my area
I worry about my personal safety when riding a bicycle
in my area (e.g. being mugged, etc.)
It is easy to combine bicycling and public transit in my
area
I would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor vehicles
and bicycles were physically separated by a barrier
I feel more safe riding a bicycle now than I did five years
ago
Recreation
and
Transportation
5730
3074
484
2172
63%
56%
63%
73%
54%
54%
50%
56%
63%
58%
58%
70%
38%
35%
36%
43%
34%
32%
30%
38%
37%
28%
39%
46%
74%
75%
55%
77%
56%
56%
47%
58%
29%
23%
24%
38%
40%
41%
26%
41%
63
Thank you
For quesHons about this study, contact

info@peopleforbikes.org.
64

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U.S.

Ralph Buehler: Associate Professor, Urban Aairs & Planning, Virginia

Background and Objectives

Provide a reliable staHsHcal metric for bicycling parHcipaHon among those

Bicycling parHcipaHon was measured in the context of 10

Among Americans (ages 18 and older) who didnt ride:

Ficy-four percent report bicycling is convenient and 53% would

However, concerns about trac pose a signicant barrier

Ficy-two percent are worried about being hit by a motor vehicle

Improved infrastructure is a key component of safety

Forty-six percent of adults would be more likely to ride if bicycles

Availability of a working bicycle also poses a challenge

Forty-eight percent of adults dont have a working bicycle in their

Bicycling parHcipaHon is measured in the context of 10 acHviHes

The list of acHviHes sets a broad cogniHve framework that

The Pew Research Center esHmates 76% of adults read at least

Twenty-nine percent of adults rode a bicycle at least once in the

Availability of an operaHonal bicycle is also a key barrier

Detailed Findings: Overall

The key Jinding is located in this

Thirty-four percent of Americans ages

Consumed a beverage with caffeine

Visited a social media website

Used any kind of public transportation

Ran or jogged outside

Visited a museum of any type

Worked at home after hours

Of those who rode, 30% rode fewer

Rode 13-18 days

Rode 19-24 days

Of those who rode, most rode for

Of those who rode for recreation, one-

Recreational Bicycling Frequency

Rode 6-12 days

Rode 13-18 days

Of those who rode for transportation,

Transportation Bicycling Frequency

Rode 13-18 days

Rode 19-24 days

Riding to social events and running

Running e rrands or shopping

Traveling to and from work or school

Traveling to and from public

Eighty-eight percent of adults who

Twenty-nine percent of those who

Nearly half of adults dont have access

Bicycling is perceived as convenient

I would like to ride a bicycle more often

I am familiar with the bicycle lanes, paths, and trails in my area

I typically wear a helmet when I ride a bicycle

It is easy to combine bicycling and public transit in my area

Those who rode in the last year feel safer than

I would like to ride a bicycle more often

Bicycling is a convenient way to get from one place to another

It is easy to combine bicycling and public transit in my area

I am familiar with the bicycle lanes, paths, and trails in my area

Detailed Findings by Age

The percentage of people who rode

Among those who rode, frequency

Participation in recreational and

Among those who rode for recreation,

Those 25 to 34 are particularly

Older transportation riders are most

Traveling to and from work or school