More than 5,000 cyclists shared their likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams in our annual reader survey.—Bicycling.com
The article opens:
Whether you took our third annual reader survey on Bicycling.com, answered questions on our Facebook page, or sent a missive via carrier pigeon—we’re still waiting for that one, but we are sure he’ll arrive someday—you played a role in shaping this story, and probably even future issues of the magazine. Some of the results were unexpected…Other stats confirmed what we’ve long suspected. Eighty-four percent of you say riding gives you more energy (excellent information to share with the boss when you’re lobbying for commuter facilities). In any case, we hope the results offer some insight into your fellow riders and inspire you to expand the way you ride, as long as you do it judiciously. In other words, think twice before practicing your Peter Sagan dance on your next ride. Here’s what we’ve learned.
You Like to Ride How??
- You ride 4 days a week, but you want to ride 7 days a week
- For Inside Rides: 41% use an indoor trainer and 20% take spin classes
En Route…
- Ridden to a job interview: 12% women and 9% men
- Ridden in a foreign country: 42%
- Ridden in 2-5 states: 53%
Percentage Who Have Been…
- Hit by a car: 38% women 26% men
- Received a traffic ticket while riding: 12% men 10% women
- Broken a collarbone while riding: 13% men 12% women
- Have fallen victim to bike theft: 31%
Next Year, You Want to Ride…
- Faster: 75%
- With less effort: 44%
- With my significant other: 42%
- More confidently on descents: 28%
- Smoother in a group: 25%
- To work: 25%
- With my kids:23%
- For transportation: 21%
- Without falling over at a traffic light: 5%
- To a steak dinner: 4%
One in three plan on buying a new bike this year.
Your Relationship with Your Saddle…
- Complicated: 43%
- Love at first chamois: 25%
- Blissful: 25%
- Still searching for one: 7%
The Songs that Describe Cycling for You:
- “Free Bird” –Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “Highway to Hell” –AC/DC
- “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” –Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” –Bon Jovi
- “The Climb” –Miley Cyrus
Thanks to Bicycling.com
We appreciate this survey conducted by bicyling.com and we hope that you enjoyed it and learned from it. Bicycling can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your day, year, and life. We hope that you all obey the rules of the road and ride safely.