Cycling Statistics 2026: Riders and Trends

Cycling is having a genuine resurgence. 112 million Americans rode a bike at least once in 2024 - 35% of everyone aged 3 and older - the highest participation on record, per PeopleForBikes. Research is equally striking: cyclists face a 47% lower risk of dying from any cause compared with car or bus commuters, according to a University of Glasgow study of over 80,000 adults. The global bicycle market is valued at roughly $77 billion in 2025 and growing, e-bike sales have reached 40 million units per year worldwide, and global cycling traffic is up 20.4% from 2019 baselines. Whether you clip in at home, ride to the office, or log miles outdoors, the data makes a clear case for getting on two wheels.

Cycling sits at an interesting crossroads for fitness-minded people. It offers the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of running with significantly lower joint impact, making it an attractive training tool for lifters managing recovery as well as dedicated cyclists chasing aerobic gains. Alongside the health data, a booming e-bike market and expanding bike infrastructure are pulling new riders in at every age.

These 16 statistics cover U.S. and global participation, mortality and disease risk, market growth, e-bike adoption, mental health, and the calorie and fitness data that matter most to active people. For the broader picture on how cycling fits into overall movement trends, see our physical activity statistics or the full breakdown of fitness industry statistics.

1. 112 million Americans rode a bike in 2024

112 million Americans rode a bicycle at least once in 2024 - 35% of everyone aged 3 and older - the highest participation rate recorded since PeopleForBikes launched its biennial study in 2014. The data came from surveys of 16,000 adults nationwide.

The figure marks a sustained COVID-era rebound that never fully reversed. U.S. bicycle use in 2024 is up 32% compared with 2018 levels, according to PeopleForBikes. Crucially, the 2024 report found that youth participation also surged: the share of riders aged 3-17 jumped from 49% to 56% since the prior study, reversing a long decline.

For strength athletes, this matters because cycling crosses over as one of the most practical aerobic tools available - easy to add on rest days without hammering joints or spiking perceived fatigue the way running can.

Source: PeopleForBikes - More Americans Rode a Bike Than Ever Before in 2024

2. Cyclists face a 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality

A University of Glasgow study of more than 80,000 adults found that cyclists had a hazard ratio of 0.53 for all-cause mortality - meaning a 47% lower risk of dying from any cause compared with people who travel by car or public transport. Cyclists also recorded a 30% reduction in prescriptions for cardiovascular disease medications.

This is one of the largest real-world datasets to examine transport mode and health outcomes. The findings align with a 2021 meta-analysis in Sports Medicine covering 478,847 participants across 17 studies, which found that the highest cycling levels cut all-cause mortality risk by 23% and cardiovascular mortality by 24%.

The takeaway for any active person: even incorporating cycling as a commuting tool, not just a training one, produces measurable longevity benefits independent of other exercise habits.

Source: road.cc - Cycling your commute can lower risk of death by 47%

3. Bike commuting cuts cardiovascular mortality risk by 52%

A large-scale BMJ study of 264,337 UK Biobank participants found that bike commuters were 52% less likely to die of cardiovascular disease and 40% less likely to die of cancer during the follow-up period, compared with non-active commuters. They were also 41% less likely to die from any cause.

The study controlled for age, sex, BMI, smoking, diet, pre-existing conditions, and leisure-time activity - meaning the effect could not be explained away by cyclists simply being healthier in other ways. The dose-response relationship was consistent: more cycling produced larger protective effects.

For gym-goers who skip cardio, this is an argument for adding even moderate cycling into the weekly routine rather than relying on resistance training alone for cardiovascular protection.

Source: BMJ - Association between active commuting and mortality (University of Glasgow news)

4. Global cycling traffic is up 20.4% from 2019 levels

Using 2019 as a baseline, global cycling traffic increased by 20.4% in 2025, with cycling volume also rising 5% year over year between 2024 and 2025, according to the Eco-Counter Global Cycling Index. Growth was recorded on both weekdays and weekends across all studied countries.

Ireland led with 15% growth in 2025, Belgium followed at 10%, and U.S. cycling traffic grew 4.7%. The consistency of growth across very different markets - from high-cycling European nations to the car-dominated U.S. - signals a structural shift rather than a regional trend.

Infrastructure investment has helped. U.S. federal funding for bike infrastructure reached $1.32 billion, while the UK committed nearly $300 million for walking and cycling schemes through 2026.

Source: Eco-Counter - Global Cycling Trends in 2025 and Since 2019

5. The global bicycle market is worth about $77 billion in 2025

The global bicycle market was estimated at $72.28 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately $77.49 billion in 2025, with forecasts pointing to $135 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of around 7-8%, according to Precedence Research. Asia Pacific holds the largest regional share at over 31%.

Multiple research firms place the 2025 valuation in the $63-84 billion range depending on methodology; the consistent thread is sustained high single-digit or double-digit annual growth. Premium road bikes, e-bikes, and smart connected trainers are pulling the category up-market.

For fitness-tech observers, this market scale reflects a broader consumer willingness to invest in active transportation and structured training hardware - a pattern also visible in wearable adoption covered in our fitness tracker statistics.

Source: Precedence Research - Bicycle Market Size to Hit USD 256.51 Billion by 2035

6. E-bike adoption reached 40 million units sold per year globally

Global e-bike sales reached 40 million units in 2023, marking 12.4% year-over-year growth, according to market data cited by BoltBikers. In the U.S., 19.4% of Americans who rode a bike at least once in 2023 reported using an e-bike - up from just 7.8% in 2021. The global e-bike market is valued at $32 billion in 2025.

E-bikes are removing traditional barriers to cycling: hills, distance, sweat, and physical fitness level. Millennials aged 25-40 account for 48% of global e-bike sales, and women represent 42% of purchasers in Europe - up from 30% in 2019.

For performance cyclists, e-bikes may seem like cheating. The data suggests they are actually expanding the category: people are riding longer distances, more often, and reaching cycling in ways they would not have without electric assist.

Source: BoltBikers - 81 Must-Know E-Bike Statistics in 2025

7. Moderate cycling burns 400-600 calories per hour

A 180-lb person cycling at moderate intensity (12-13.9 mph) burns approximately 654 calories per hour, according to American College of Sports Medicine MET-based calculations. General moderate-intensity riding for most adults falls in the 400-600 calorie-per-hour range. Vigorous efforts above 16 mph can exceed 900 calories per hour.

The burn is governed by intensity, body weight, and terrain. A 2024 study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that cyclists experienced significant decreases in visceral fat and total fat mass even when energy intake increased to compensate for training load - pointing to favorable metabolic adaptations beyond simple calorie math.

For lifters using cycling as conditioning, that metabolic efficiency means cycling can support body composition goals without the muscle-damage load that high-volume running creates.

Source: Medical News Today - How many calories does biking burn?

8. Beginners can raise VO2 max by 10-20% in under a year

Research shows that beginner cyclists can increase VO2 max by 10-20% within 4-12 months of training three times per week, with meaningful aerobic adaptations beginning to appear within 6-8 weeks. Polarized training programs in well-trained cyclists have produced VO2 max gains of 12-14% over structured training blocks.

VO2 max - maximal oxygen uptake - is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and longevity in the literature. Cycling is particularly effective for raising it because the sustained, rhythmic nature of the effort allows high training volumes without the injury risk of impact sports.

For gym athletes who focus primarily on strength, adding two to three cycling sessions per week is one of the fastest routes to measurable aerobic capacity gains, which also supports recovery between heavy lifting sessions.

Source: BikeRadar - VO2 max for cyclists explained

9. Cycling is associated with a 22% lower premature mortality risk in people with diabetes

A study of 7,459 adults with diabetes published via EurekAlert found that cycling is associated with at least a 22% reduction in the risk of premature mortality. Separately, the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study found that cycling at least 60 minutes per week was associated with a 9% reduced risk of all-cause mortality.

The diabetes data is particularly relevant because the disease is strongly linked to physical inactivity. Danish cohort research showed that cycling more than 150 minutes per week to work was associated with significantly lower type 2 diabetes risk, with a clear dose-response relationship - more cycling, lower risk.

These findings reinforce the case for cycling as a low-impact, accessible activity for people at varying fitness levels, including those managing metabolic conditions through lifestyle interventions.

Source: EurekAlert - Study shows cycling is associated with reduced risk of mortality among people with diabetes

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recorded 454,008 emergency-department-treated injuries associated with bicycles and bicycle accessories in 2024, according to the National Safety Council. Cyclist deaths reached 1,166 in 2024 - an 87% increase from the 2010 low of 623 deaths.

The majority of injuries do not involve motor vehicles. Single-bike falls account for roughly 50% of incidents, while collisions with cars account for about 20%. Helmets can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by 63-88%, yet helmet use remains inconsistent, particularly among adult riders.

The fatality trend is partly an exposure effect: more riders mean more absolute incidents. But it also reflects that U.S. road infrastructure has not kept pace with participation growth, underscoring why dedicated cycling infrastructure investment matters.

Source: National Safety Council - Bicycle Deaths Injury Facts

11. Cyclists who commute are 15% less likely to be prescribed anxiety and depression medication

People who cycle to work are 15% less likely to be prescribed medication to treat anxiety and depression, according to research cited in the International Journal of Epidemiology. A Cycleplan survey found that 75% of regular cyclists noticed an improvement in their mental health since taking up riding, with 8% reporting direct relief from depression or anxiety symptoms.

The mechanism involves endorphin release, exposure to natural environments, and the social elements of group riding. Research also shows that structured cycling programmes produced positive psychological wellbeing outcomes in 67% of studies reviewed across a scoping review of 87 papers from 19 countries.

Riding outdoors amplifies the mental health effect. Studies consistently find that outdoor exercise produces stronger mood benefits than equivalent indoor effort at the same intensity - relevant for anyone choosing between a trainer session and a road ride.

Source: International Journal of Epidemiology - Does cycle commuting reduce the risk of mental ill-health?

12. The indoor cycling market reached $1.15 billion in 2024

The global indoor cycling market was valued at $1.15 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $3.24 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 8.7%, according to Business Research Insights. Approximately 65% of home exercise bikes sold in 2024 were connected devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth integration.

Streaming platforms delivering indoor cycling classes reported over 25 million active users globally in 2024, delivering nearly 500 million class sessions. The home segment holds about 55% of the indoor cycling market, driven by post-pandemic preference for flexible, on-demand training.

Indoor cycling is now one of the most data-rich training environments available to the average athlete - real-time watts, cadence, heart rate, and structured workouts that would have required a professional coaching setup a decade ago.

Source: Business Research Insights - Indoor Cycling Market Size

13. Cycling traffic in the U.S. grew 4.7% in 2025 alone

U.S. cycling traffic grew 4.7% in 2025 compared with 2024, with gains recorded on both weekdays and weekends, according to the Eco-Counter Global Cycling Index. Ireland led all countries at 15% growth; Belgium grew 10%; and overall global cycling traffic rose 5%.

This consistent growth pattern across different countries and contexts - recreational, commuting, and fitness-oriented cycling - reflects a durable behavior shift rather than a post-pandemic statistical artifact. The gains have persisted across six years since the 2019 baseline.

The U.S. figure is particularly notable given the country's historically low cycling modal share. Even at 4.7% annual growth, the U.S. is building real momentum from a low base - and the PeopleForBikes participation data confirms the growth is happening across all age groups.

Source: Eco-Counter - Global Cycling Trends in 2025 and Since 2019

14. 43% of Strava cyclists logged at least one bike commute in 2025

43% of all cyclists on Strava recorded at least one bike commute in 2025, with Strava users collectively logging 550 million miles of bike commutes during the year, according to Strava's annual cycling trends analysis. Boomers emerged as the most active cycling commuters on the platform.

This is a fitness-first user base voluntarily choosing to integrate riding into their commute - a signal that cycling is no longer siloed as either sport or transport. The 550-million-mile commute figure represents genuine infrastructure use, not just weekend recreation.

The Boomer commuting data is also striking. Older riders are using cycling as both a transport and training tool, reinforcing research showing that cycling's low joint impact makes it sustainable across a much wider age range than running.

Source: Strava - What Strava Data Reveals About Cycling Trends Worldwide

15. A week of intense cycling can reduce visceral fat without major weight change

A 2024 study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that even a week of high-intensity cycling produced a significant decrease in visceral adiposity and fat mass in participants - despite increased energy intake during the training block. Separately, a 12-week cycling intervention of 30-60 minutes four times per week produced an average weight loss of 5.5 lbs alongside significant visceral fat reduction.

Visceral fat - the metabolically active fat stored around organs - is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat and responds well to aerobic exercise like cycling. The short-duration finding is relevant for athletes in training blocks: body composition improvements can begin quickly even when the scale does not move.

For hybrid athletes who lift and ride, this suggests that adding structured cycling sessions improves body composition independently of dietary restriction, making it a useful tool during muscle-building phases where caloric restriction is undesirable.

Source: News-Medical - A week of intense cycling may burn abdominal fat without major weight loss (2024)

16. Youth cycling participation surged 7 percentage points in two years

Youth cycling participation in the United States jumped from 49% to 56% between the 2022 and 2024 PeopleForBikes biennial surveys - a 7-percentage-point gain that reversed a steady decline that had persisted since 2018. The 2024 report identified youth as the single biggest driver of the record overall participation number.

Youth cycling participation had been falling for years as screens replaced outdoor play and as urbanization reduced safe riding space. The 2024 reversal is significant. Researchers attribute it to expanded bike infrastructure, school cycling programs, and post-pandemic outdoor activity habits that stuck.

Lifelong cardiorespiratory fitness tracks closely with childhood physical activity habits. Children who ride regularly are more likely to remain active adults - a pipeline effect that supports long-term public health goals and future fitness-app user bases.

Source: Bicycle Retailer - More Americans Rode a Bike Than Ever Before in 2024

What the cycling data reveals for active people

The headline numbers tell a story that goes beyond transportation trends. Cycling is one of the best-studied physical activities in human longevity research, and the mortality and cardiovascular data are striking by any standard: a 47% reduction in all-cause mortality, a 52% reduction in cardiovascular death, and a 22% reduction in premature death among diabetics. These are not marginal associations - they are large effects that hold up across hundreds of thousands of participants and independent of other lifestyle factors.

For strength athletes and gym-goers who treat cardio as optional, the data on VO2 max improvements and visceral fat reduction makes a practical argument for cycling as a recovery-day or cross-training tool. The low joint impact is real, the calorie burn is meaningful, and the aerobic adaptations compound quickly. A decade of research on indoor cycling confirms you do not need to ride outdoors to capture most of these benefits - connected home trainers deliver comparable physiological outcomes.

The market data adds context: a $77 billion global bicycle industry, 40 million e-bikes sold annually, and indoor cycling growing at 8.7% per year are not signs of a passing fitness trend. Cycling is becoming a permanent, multi-modal fixture of how active people train - and the integration of data tracking into that practice is accelerating.

Cycling and building a training habit that lasts

Cycling is one of the few activities where participation reliably increases with age rather than declining. Boomers lead Strava commuting data. Older adults in Danish and UK cohort studies show the strongest protective effects. The activity scales with ability - beginners can ride for health, competitive athletes can chase power numbers, and everyone in between can find their level.

The challenge is the same as with any training discipline: consistency over time matters more than any single metric. Tracking progress - whether that is average watts, weekly miles, or heart rate at a given effort - is how you confirm adaptations are actually happening and how you avoid the plateau that ends most fitness attempts. That kind of structured, data-driven approach is exactly where a smart training log becomes useful, whether you are a cyclist logging cross-training rides or a lifter building aerobic capacity alongside strength work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Americans ride a bike?

112 million Americans rode a bicycle at least once in 2024, representing 35% of the population aged 3 and older. This is the highest participation level recorded since PeopleForBikes began tracking in 2014, per their 2024 Bicycling Participation Report.

Does cycling reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Yes, according to multiple large-scale studies. A BMJ study of 264,337 participants found that bike commuters faced a 52% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality. A meta-analysis covering 478,847 people found that high cycling levels cut cardiovascular mortality risk by 24% compared with low or no cycling.

How many calories does cycling burn per hour?

A 180-lb person cycling at moderate intensity burns approximately 400-654 calories per hour, depending on pace and terrain. Vigorous efforts above 16 mph can exceed 900 calories per hour. Calorie burn scales with body weight and intensity, and fat loss - particularly visceral fat - can begin within days of consistent high-intensity riding.

How big is the global bicycle market?

The global bicycle market was valued at approximately $72-77 billion in 2024-2025, with projections reaching $135-256 billion by 2033-2035 depending on the research firm. E-bikes are the fastest-growing segment, with 40 million units sold globally in 2023 and a market value of $32 billion in 2025.