According to a recent study by The Outdoor Foundation, cyclists take their bikes out for a spin more frequently than any, other than runners. (2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report)
Bicycling ranks as the second most popular outdoor activity among Americans by frequency of participation, second only to running/jogging/trail running. In 2007 Americans logged 2.62 billion outings by bike averaging 62 annual outings per cyclist.
Christine Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation expects cycling t0o become increasingly part of Americans’ healthy lifestyles, given the current economic and social trends. She said the “In this economic climate and as we’re going through some of the challenges with transportation and entering a green world, it serves not only as a fun component but also the practical component.” , Going on Fanning said that “People are biking to work or biking to run errands an using it as a fun, recreational outlet, it’s a dual purpose.” This is something I have found in my own personal observations.
More than 15 percent of the population , or 42.12 million Americans, participated in cycling in 2007, roughly on par with 2006. Participation being defined as cycling one time or more in a year.
According to the study more young adults ages 18 to 34 participated in cycling, with 13.7 percent of that age group, or 3.88 outings in 2007, compared to 11.1 percent the previous year. In that age group participation was 22.3 million outings or 57 outings per young adult cyclist.
Among youth ages 6 to 17, participation dropped from 37.5 percent to 30.9 percent, however, bicycling ranked as the Number one activity by participation within that age group,.
As I review all of this information, it confirms my belief that cycling offers a solution to combat a decline in youth interest in the outdoors. By investing more in bicycling we can get more kids outdoors. I’m sure you remember the day that the training wheels came off , and the sense of freedom and independence it gave. Cycling offers skills and experience that can translate to other sports. If we can fund more youth programs that are about biking, it could serve us well and maybe start a reverse of some of the negative outdoor participation trends.
(The 2008 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report is based on an online survey capturing responses from over 60.000 Americans ages 6 and older and covers 114 outdoor activities. The survey represents a collaborative effort among The Outdoor Foundation, Sporting Good Manufacturers Association, National Golf Foundation, and SnowSports Industries of America),