More Americans are Riding Bicycles than Ever Before, Report States

Good news for cycling enthusiasts and advocates: more Americans are riding bicycles than ever before. The latest U.S. Bicycling Participation Study from PeopleForBikes reveals that in 2024, 112 million Americans—35% of people aged three and older—rode a bike at least once. That’s the highest participation rate recorded since the study began in 2014, reinforcing the pandemic-driven cycling boom as more than just a temporary trend.

Even more encouraging is the increase in youth ridership. After years of declining participation among younger riders, the latest data shows a significant reversal. Since the last study, youth cycling participation (ages 3 to 17) has jumped from 49% to 56%. This surge in young riders not only bodes well for the future of cycling but also highlights the potential for creating a new generation of lifelong cyclists.

“The significant increase in youth participation signals a potential new generation of lifelong riders, but with 53% of riders worried about being hit by a car, we must take action to ensure people today and tomorrow feel safe and comfortable riding a bike,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “This underscores the urgent need for continued investment in safe places to ride and highlights the critical importance of connecting bicycle networks both on and off-road to ensure safer, more accessible riding experiences for all.”

Cycling in Portland

The PeopleForBikes study offers additional insights into current cycling trends:

• Half of all riders report being familiar with bike lanes, paths, and trails in their area, suggesting growing awareness of cycling infrastructure.
• Youth ridership has climbed across the board, with a 9% increase among children ages 3 to 9 and a 15% increase for those ages 10 to 17.
• Social and recreational trips have overtaken errands and shopping as the top reason for transportation-based riding, signaling a shift in how Americans incorporate cycling into their daily lives.

Beyond these key findings, the study also delves into cycling frequency, regional participation trends, indoor vs. outdoor riding habits, and the motivations behind why people ride. It even explores the likelihood of non-riders taking up cycling in the future, offering valuable insights for industry leaders, city planners, and advocates looking to grow ridership nationwide.

According to another recent study, New York City is leading the way in cycling growth at the city level.

As the bike industry navigates sales fluctuations and economic uncertainty, this data serves as a critical resource for guiding investments in infrastructure, safety, and advocacy. With a record number of Americans choosing to ride, the need for connected, protected, and accessible cycling networks has never been clearer.