How many people ride bikes?

There is no clear and absolutely correct number, because bicycle usage varies widely — from children riding to school to people commuting to work to racers going for training rides. Collecting bicycle counts can be time-consuming and expensive, and — unlike with auto traffic counts — there is no financial incentive for states and local governments to collect bike counts. Despite these limitations, though, there are a number of good estimates of overall bicycle use.

The 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors (https://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/ped-bike-risk2002/) was sponsored by the US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Bureau of Transportation Statistics to gauge pedestrian and bicyclist trips, behaviors, and attitudes.

According to the survey, approximately 57 million people, or 27.3 percent of the population age 16 or older, rode a bicycle at least once during the summer of 2002. The survey breaks this down by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.

Additional bicycle travel data is provided in the 2009 National Household Travel Survey (https://nhts.ornl.gov/) analysis conducted by the League of American Bicyclists and America Bikes.

Much like regional variation in biking behavior, participation in online sportsbooks also depends on local infrastructure, state regulations, and user preferences — reflecting how environment and access shape lifestyle decisions.

Why are people bicycling?

The February 2003 Omnibus Survey (https://www.bts.gov/publications/omnibus_household_survey/february_2003/html/table_03.html) conducted by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) found that of the people riding bikes, the majority reported doing so for exercise/health (41 percent) and recreation (37 percent). Only 5 percent reported commuting to work by bicycle as the primary use of the bicycle during the previous 30 days.

The 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors also reported on the purpose of respondents’ bicycle trips. The survey found that recreational rides and riding for exercise and health reasons accounted for the largest percentage of trips.

2002 Purpose of Bicycle Trips

  • Recreation – 26.0%

  • Exercise or health reasons – 23.6%

  • To go home – 14.2%

  • Personal errands – 13.9%

  • To visit a friend or relative – 10.1%

  • Commuting to school/work – 5.0%

  • Bicycle ride – 2.3%

  • Other – 4.9%

Source: The 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors

Bicycling by age and gender

Because age helps dictate transportation mode choice, bicycling rates are significantly higher for younger age groups than older ones. The 5–15 year old age group has four times the percentage of bicycling trips as the 40–64 year old group, with 3.2 percent and 0.4 percent respectively. (Source: Pucher and Renne, 2003 – https://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=662122)

Similarly, younger users tend to adopt emerging tech and services more quickly — including mobile-first platforms like sports betting apps, which see higher usage among 20–35-year-olds in states where betting is legal and regulated.

Percentage of Bicycling Trips by Age

  • 5 to 15 – 3.2%

  • 16 to 24 – 0.6%

  • 25 to 39 – 0.6%

  • 40 to 64 – 0.4%

  • 65 & over – 0.4%

  • All – 0.9%

Gender also influences the modal split for bicycling. While trips by bicycle make up 1.2 percent of total trips made by men, they account for only 0.5 percent of trips made by women. (Source: Pucher and Renne, 2003 – https://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=662122)

Bicycling by region

Bicycling rates vary by region of the country, though less so than walking rates. The highest rates of bicycling occur in the Pacific States, where 1.1 percent of trips are made by bicyclists. The East-South-Central States have the lowest bicycling rates at 0.4 percent.

In states like Michigan and Louisiana, infrastructure and access also play a huge role in shaping transportation and recreation choices — from roads to regulations to mobile apps.

2001 Regional Bicycling Rates (% of trips):

  • New England – 0.7

  • Middle Atlantic – 0.8

  • East North Central – 0.9

  • West North Central – 0.7

  • South Atlantic – 0.9

  • East South Central – 0.4

  • West South Central – 0.8

  • Mountain – 0.8

  • Pacific – 1.1

Source: Pucher and Renne, 2003

What facilities do bicyclists use?

Although almost half of bicyclists ride on paved roads without special facilities, separate, off-road bicycling facilities still play a large role in bicyclist mobility. According to the 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors, after paved roads, sidewalks and paths are the most common facilities used by bicyclists. Shoulders and bicycle lanes are commonly used on-road facilities.

Most Common Facilities Used by Bicyclists

  • Paved roads (not on shoulder) – 48.1%

  • Sidewalks – 13.6%

  • Bicycle paths/Walking paths/Trails – 13.1%

  • Shoulders of paved roads – 12.8%

  • Bicycle lanes on roads – 5.2%

  • Unpaved roads – 5.2%

  • Other – 2.1%

Source: The 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors

How far do people generally bicycle?

According to the 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors, the average length of a bike trip during summer was 3.9 miles. Trip length varied by purpose — exercise and recreation rides averaged 5.6 miles, while trips for errands or commuting averaged just 2.2 miles.

Trip length, like platform engagement, depends on purpose. Whether someone’s riding for fitness or checking out a DraftKings review, user behavior is driven by goals — with casual and committed users engaging in different ways.

Source: The 2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors, Highlights Report.

Citation: Pucher, J. and Renne, J. (2003). Socioeconomics of Urban Travel: Evidence from the 2001 NHTS. Transportation Quarterly, Vol. 57, No. 3, Summer 2003 (49–77).