Archtypes of the Average Cyclist

[Bekologist]

A lot of the talk in Advocacy and Safety involves bicyclists that consider themselves experienced cyclists. I think I am not innacurate in my belief a lot of us that post to this forum are comfortable doing the traffic dance and interacting with motorists. Many of the regular posters would probably would be considered 'enthusiast' cyclists in the cycling industry.

I do not think we represent the majority of cyclists, however, and began thinking about what archtypical bicyclists would be; type of bicyclist, average speed, degree of comfortability in traffic, etc.


I imagine there are reader surveys from bicycling magazine or the like, but those would be weighted towards the 'enthusiast' already; they have chosen to respond to a survey. I've seen a statistic that 65 million americans rode their bikes last year. I wonder where all those people are? And they surely are not all steely eyed, alpha dawg, POWERWEAVE riders like most of the A&S bike forums posters.


I have a vision of the archtypical rider in America.

A person that rode as a kid, but has lately been getting back into cycling. Unsure about traffic negotiation. Considers drivers wild and crazy and traffic being dangerous. Wants to ride more, mabye commute to work, or at least do it more often. Wonders about the virtues of chamois. Conflicted- spandex or no spandex? Average speed: 12 miles an hour.



What is your vision of an archtype of the average cyclist? How would you describe the 'average rider?'

[-=£em in Pa=-]

I agree with you sentiments 100%
The people who read / post/ debate here are not typical in that they
are probably way more skilled but I also think the minority by a long shot.
The 'average' biker outnumbers the serious type conservatively by ten to one
using my own unscientific, useless, non-quantifiable, personal guessing data.

I think bicycle commuters are the strongest and smartest bicyclists.
Doing time on the front lines daily hones your skills, sensiblities and
survival instincts like nothing else....no books, classes, internet forums etc.....
One year of commuting is worth 5 years of rec. cycling if you use the 'Dog
Years' type scale of measurement.

I couldnt add a thing to your excellent observations except to say that the
'avarage' rider falls for the 'latest-lightest-greatest' stuff a little too much but
this would digress into an off-topic rant so Ill end it here................:D

[Cycliste]

I have a vision of the archtypical rider in America.

A person that rode as a kid, but has lately been getting back into cycling. Unsure about traffic negotiation. Considers drivers wild and crazy and traffic being dangerous. Wants to ride more, mabye commute to work, or at least do it more often. Wonders about the virtues of chamois. Conflicted- spandex or no spandex? Average speed: 12 miles an hour.



What is your vision of an archtype of the average cyclist? How would you describe the 'average rider?'

I think the average rider (of the 65M) is not as engaged as your archtypical one that fits more the profile of a great number of rather motivated riders we see taking skills/safety classes and/or participate in beginners group rides.
I'd say the average rider could be positioned around the adult who occasionally hits the trail, travel a path on a sunny week-end day or cruises the beach on a rental during a vacation.

[PaulH]

Average cyclist -- got a bike as a birthday or Christmas present. Bike sits in basement, gets ridden about 50 miles per year, usually on a MUP after driving to it.

Paul

[closetbiker]

The National Bicycle Dealers Association says,

"Bicycles and related products appeal primarily to a recreation market in the United States. Recent figures cited in an industry trade publication show that 94.5% of those who ride bicycles do so for recreation or fitness, 0.3% for racing, and approximately 5.2% for transportation, a growing market that is important for the industry because it establishes cycling as a legitimate part of the nation’s transportation mix. "

[merlin70]

The ture enthusiast is a tiny, tiny fraction of the "cycling" population. As stated above most people have a bike in the garage, they take it out maybe 4 times a year when they have time and it's a nice day. Probably ride on the sidewalk or MUP, or within 2 miles of home if not driving to a path.

It continually amazes me that friends, nieghbors and family are dumbfounded by the clipless pedals on my bike. That basic lack of any understanding of bicycling hardware is a basic indicator for me, showing that probably 1% of the population or less has any real knowledge of cycling. Contrast this with golf for example, where probably more like 50%-75% from my experience has at least passable knowledge of the sport and the brands involved.

Rather distressing from an advocacy standpoint but there it is. At the end of the day, cycling is really an ultra-niche sport. I wish it was bigger, but it isn't.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

A lot of the talk in Advocacy and Safety involves bicyclists that consider themselves experienced cyclists. I think I am not innacurate in my belief a lot of us that post to this forum are comfortable doing the traffic dance and interacting with motorists. Many of the regular posters would probably would be considered 'enthusiast' cyclists in the cycling industry.

I do not think we represent the majority of cyclists, however, and began thinking about what archtypical bicyclists would be; type of bicyclist, average speed, degree of comfortability in traffic, etc.


I imagine there are reader surveys from bicycling magazine or the like, but those would be weighted towards the 'enthusiast' already; they have chosen to respond to a survey. I've seen a statistic that 65 million americans rode their bikes last year. I wonder where all those people are? And they surely are not all steely eyed, alpha dawg, POWERWEAVE riders like most of the A&S bike forums posters.


I have a vision of the archtypical rider in America.
I won't comment on your vision, though I believe you are on the right track. There are too many variables and types to consider one archetype as representing the typical cyclist. For example the suggested examples so far ignore probably the largest percentage of cyclists - youth without driver's licenses and adults without the economic means to have access to motorized personal transportation on call.

I do disagree with your assumption that more than a tiny handful of even A & S posters actually practice and rely on "steely eyed, alpha dawg, POWERWEAVE techniques" in real traffic; at least outside the safety of their cyberspace cocoon. I also doubt that more than a handful actually believe that reliance on such techniques are a long term risk reduction measure.

Heck, some people might claim that having a few drinks or totes on weed gives them the right attitude to handle traffic stress; might even seem to work for such people convinced in the magic of self delusion and spacey thoughts. I assume that most posters here (but obviously not all) have more intelligence than to fall for such "techniques.

[Roody]

Around here there seems to be a bimodal distribution of cyclists.

One large group is utility cyclists. Many of these people ride cheaper mountqin bikes or old 10 speeds. they tend o ride on the sidewalks and, on weekdays, on our crosstown MUP.

Another large group is the weekend warriors. They usually ride inexpensive comfort bikes, but some ride entry level road bikes. They stick almost exclusively to the MUP.

[JRA]

There is no such thing as an average bicyclist. All bicylists are above average. Bicyclists are almost as varied as the general population.

Club cyclists may think they represent the majority. I seriously doubt that they even come close. They do represent a large portion of the bicycle market because they buy expensive bikes and expensive accessories.

The vast majority of bicyclists that I see ride on the sidewalk at least some of the time, some do almost exclusively.

Many bicyclists ride semi-regularly in good weather, far less in bad weather; ride mostly on residential streets and sidewalks (sometimes on sidewalks on residential streets); ride to get places more than for exercise (may ride to work or to school); neither ride nor own an expensive bike; can negotiate traffic fairly safely but not efficiently; are not highly skilled but not totally incompetent; don't wear spandex and have little in common with anyone who does (may even resent those who do); may have heard of Lance Armstrong but haven't heard of any other cyclists; have an average speed of less than 12 mph; have an average trip distance of a few miles or less; have never heard of bike forums; do not belong to a cycling club; do not subscribe to a bicycling magazine; do not know and may not give a rat's behind what 'paradigm' means; have never heard of LAB or any other cycling organization and are not bicycling advocates.

There are a lot of bicyclists like that. They aren't vocal, organized or highly visible. No one advocates for them. No one knows they exist unless they get mugged (and maybe not even then) or are involved in an accident (and maybe not even then). Some of them have a lot of experience although perhaps not the kind of experience that an experienced high-mileage cyclist™ would appreciate.

There are 2-1/2 million stories in the Gateway City; this has been one of them.

[sbhikes]

I have no idea what the average cyclist is. I can tell you that it seems to depend where I am.

If I'm in downtown Santa Barbara the average cyclist spans a range from college student to 45-60+ year old guy in T-shirt and Jeans who probably lives on a boat, to spandex warrior, to 22 year old Latino immigrant to little kid on a BMX bike riding with another kid on a skate board. If I go to Ventura I see way more middle-class families with small kids. If I go riding with my recumbent friends the average is the typical recumbent rider stereotype (approx 60, pot belly, gray beard, sandals), but I don't fit that stereotype.

I can tell you for sure that the average cyclist is NOT a bike commuter going to a 9-5 job, nor is the average cyclist an alpha-dogging, center-lane-biasing, powerweaving stickler for the law. Nor, unfortunately is he a woman like me.

Hey, I saw another trike rider (on a Logo) today riding on a street a couple blocks from my house. I hope I see him again. Maybe I'm starting a trend.

[joejack951]

Interesting question which the answer to no doubt will vary from region to region. In the suburbs, chances are club cyclists might be the dominate cycling group. Based on what I've seen, that is true of my area. In the downtown of a major city, I highly doubt club cyclists are anywhere near the top. Most likely it's just college students or people who can't/don't want to have to drive a car a mile to get somewhere. Keep in mind though, you can't stick a label on someone just based on how they look on one ride. I rode 35 miles this week with my girlfriend recreationally, and might well have been mistaken for a club cyclist. I also commuted 150 miles this week looking like anything from your standard utility cyclist (shorts and t-shirt) to a borderline club cyclist (tighter clothes but with panniers on my bike) depending on how far I was going. My round trips ranged from 1.5 miles to 65 miles.

[John E]

Coastal San Diego is similar to Santa Barbara in many ways. We have:
1) bicycle commuters who cannot afford cars, including Latino workers;
2) club riders and triathletes-in=training with expensive bikes and clothing;
3) casual beach cruisers, both locals and tourists;
4) a smaller group of folks like me, who do solo recreational cycling and transportation cycling by choice.

[genec]

Coastal San Diego is similar to Santa Barbara in many ways. We have:
1) bicycle commuters who cannot afford cars, including Latino workers;
2) club riders and triathletes-in=training with expensive bikes and clothing;
3) casual beach cruisers, both locals and tourists;
4) a smaller group of folks like me, who do solo recreational cycling and transportation cycling by choice.

Wow, I have and or do fit each one of those catagories...

While in the service and later in college, for about 10 years I was car free... somewhat economically, and somewhat by choice. (I could have afforded a car, but chose not to... it just was too much of a hassle.)

I ride with clubs from time to time... I beach cruise from time to time, and yes, I ride solo and chose to commute by bike. I also have been a long distance cyclo-tourist.

Am I a meta archtype? :D

[John E]

Been there ... done that myself, Gene. My wife and I bought our first car when we were 26 years old, a month after closing escrow on our first house.

[sbhikes]

I once lived in Carlsbad. Nice place. I really liked funky Encinitas. I suppose it's not as funky anymore.

[John E]

... I really liked funky Encinitas. I suppose it's not as funky anymore. Leucadia, named after a mythological Greek isle of refuge by the English spiritualists who founded it in the 1880s, is by far the funkiest district of Encinitas. Fortunately, it has kept much of its rustic Bohemia-by-the-sea character (including the 1800 square foot 30-year-old plywood-and-drywall beach shack I call home :) ). Some of the locals sport "Keep Leucadia Funky" bumper stickers. As you probably suspect, the new residential and commercial development is high-end, with tract homes (on smaller lots than mine) in the $1-2M range.

[sbhikes]

Yes, Leucadia was even more funky. But there wasn't anything there. I almost bought a $3000 trailer in a trailer park in Encinitas. Figured I could put it on my credit card. Good thing I didn't because I soon I had no job and came back home to Santa Barbara.

[Bekologist]

the suggested examples so far ignore probably the largest percentage of cyclists - youth without driver's licenses and adults without the economic means to have access to motorized personal transportation on call.

I do disagree with your assumption that more than a tiny handful of even A & S posters actually practice and rely on "steely eyed, alpha dawg, POWERWEAVE techniques" in real traffic; at least outside the safety of their cyberspace cocoon. I also doubt that more than a handful actually believe that reliance on such techniques are a long term risk reduction measure.




I-L-T-B, I certainely agree with your assesments about mine and others ignoring the kids and the economically disenfranchised. I forgot to include either. Maybe my archtype is a stereotypical A&S reader?


I think the desire in my original post was to try and determine who an 'average' cyclist is, and who bike advocates should advocate for.

I think advocating from the position of 'POWERWEAVE' techniques serves an extreme minority of cyclists. The needs of the cycling public encompass far greater variety, and a MUCH LOWER common denominator, than what is bandied about in Advocacy and Safety Forums.

Cycing Advocates need to advocate for the needs of the kids, the 7MPH crowd, the senior crowd, the transportation cyclists, not just the steely eyed alpha dawgs of cycling cyberspace.

[closetbiker]

The National Bicycle Dealers Association says... and approximately 5.2% for transportation, a growing market that is important for the industry because it establishes cycling as a legitimate part of the nation’s transportation mix. "

Although there are far more recreational cyclists, and racer might put in triple my mileage, I'd bet commuters put in the most miles of all of us.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Although there are far more recreational cyclists, and racer might put in triple my mileage, I'd bet commuters put in the most miles of all of us.
Maybe so, maybe not, but playing the total mileage card may or may not merit extra consideration by decision makers when it comes to allocating resources or making law for the benefit of the vast majority of cyclists. Relying on raw mileage data may be counterproductive to a public policy of finding the best means to encourage more cycling and more cyclists. A handful of self proclaimed "Experienced, High Mileage Road Cyclists™" (AKA VC dogma spouting "competent lawful" road/club cyclists) consistently promote their alleged mileage logs as giving them extra influence on all cycling decisions, regardless of how and where those alleged miles are run up. They attempt to essentially stuff the ballot box on issues of transportation, youth and family recreational cycling with their miles run up on group training ride, racing events and club centuries; the type of cycling that probably has little public support for encouraging vis-à-vis transportation, youth and/or family recreational cycling.

[closetbiker]

Yeah, I dunno.

Racers may have a lot of mileage and experience, but I don't think they rate a blip on a legislatures decision making process. I think recreational cycling needs have but i also think the trend is changing towards transportational cyclists needs. Less trails and more on streets facilities.

I'm dismayed by the push for more things like bike lanes at the expense of bike education, but even more dismayed by the lack of support for traffic law enforcement for all users (what voter is going to endorse a candidate that promises more traffic tickets?)

Still I think council types are recognizing the importatance of transportational cycling because it's an easy way to increase the capacity of city streets and parking spaces without spending a lot of money.

[closetbiker]

What is your vision of an archtype of the average cyclist? How would you describe the 'average rider?'

I don't know what an average rider is but here's a good page discussing different cycling types and their behavior.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/lifestyle/codes.htm

I think almost all the cyclists we see, whether obeying the traffic laws or not, are following some kind of code, but each type of cyclist follows a separate code.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Yeah, I dunno.

Racers may have a lot of mileage and experience, but I don't think they rate a blip on a legislatures decision making process.
I would have to disagree, but only from a cursory knowledge gleaned from the Internet, and I recognize that does not make me an expert on the legislative mind. Almost all the proposed negative legislation I have read about banning cyclists from certain sections of roads or requiring permits to cycle in groups seems to originate from a revulsion to incidents involving the antics/behavior of group rides of "racer" enthusiasts on public highways. I have never heard of any proposal to limit cycling because of too many commuters, youth or individua/small goups of recreational riders. Nor have I read of any real public concern about "lawless" cyclists, except when the motorist/politician is complaining about hoardes of cyclists hogging lanes while "playing" at racing techniques. When informed that such behavior is not against the law, the ranter then proposes various suggestions to make it against the law to behave like the offensive cycling noted.


Still I think council types are recognizing the importatance of transportational cycling because it's an easy way to increase the capacity of city streets and parking spaces without spending a lot of money.

I believe in some areas such proposals can earn the government extra credits for making efforts at reducing air polution.

[randya]

I believe in some areas such proposals can earn the government extra credits for making efforts at reducing air polution.
Not to mention the avoided costs of road widening to increase capacity.

[closetbiker]

I believe in some areas such proposals can earn the government extra credits for making efforts at reducing air polution.

I'm lucky I live in an area that recognizes cycling and it's positive benefits for society.

From the provincial Governments' website,

Cycling Policy in British Columbia

Cycling benefits the Province’s environment, its economy, the health of its people and society at large. It is the goal of the Ministry to integrate bicycling by providing safe, accessible and convenient bicycle facilities on the Province’s highways and to support and encourage cycling. Cycling supports the Ministry’s mandate to provide British Columbians with an integrated multi-modal transportation system.

and from Vancouver Citys' website,

Council Policies

City Council has set a list of transportation priorities in the following order: pedestrian, bicycle, transit, movement of goods, and private automobile. All existing and new projects in the City are evaluated with these priorities in mind and are developed to accommodate them, wherever possible.

and in the provincial drivers manual,


These days, more and more people are riding bicycles...you can expect to see them on the road at any time, day or night...be aware that bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as drivers...Yield to cyclists as you would any vehicle...If a cyclist needs to make a left turn, they need to move over to the left lane...if the lane is narrow...a cyclist has the right to move out toward the middle for safety...Allow plenty of following distance...Make sure there is enough space if you want to pass a cyclist...make eye contact...avoid honking your horn...

[genec]

Although there are far more recreational cyclists, and racer might put in triple my mileage, I'd bet commuters put in the most miles of all of us.

Not so sure about that... commuters tend to put in small fixed amounts of milage per week that a racer type might put in a single day.

However a commuter/racer type might put in some fixed amount per day and then do a club ride on a weekend and really hit the milage numbers.

[closetbiker]

There's a wide variety of distances commuters ride, however, according to NBDA, there are almost 18 times the amount of commuters than racers and many of those commuters ride year 'round instead of the high mileage months of competition for racers.

I wouldn't be surprised that commuter miles = racer miles. Not saying that's so, just that commuters deserve have a good bit to say about how things should go for cycling policy. At least as much as racers or recreational cyclists. Maybe more, because commuters on bicycles should be encouraged to help traffic flow in a city.

[here and there]

Coastal San Diego is similar to Santa Barbara in many ways. We have:
1) bicycle commuters who cannot afford cars, including Latino workers;
2) club riders and triathletes-in=training with expensive bikes and clothing;
3) casual beach cruisers, both locals and tourists;
4) a smaller group of folks like me, who do solo recreational cycling and transportation cycling by choice.

Sounds very similar to what I see here in South San Diego. #1 is what I see more often than not, usually riding on the sidewalk against traffic.

#2 and #3 I see on the MUP all the time, especially on a warm sunny weekend/weekday afternoon (that's when I avoid the MUP).

#4 is the category I fall into. I don't ride to work, but if it was practical for me to do so I would. I do solo riding for exercise and because it's just plain fun to get out and ride. I primarily ride the local MUP, simply because it is only a few minutes away from my house and it is a long one (round trip 17 miles). I ride early in the a.m. and rarely see more than a handful of cyclists. When I have more time I take a different route that is a mix of paths and riding in the streets. I use bike lanes, but if they are too narrow or in poor conditions I will take my place on the road and am not afraid to do so.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

There's a wide variety of distances commuters ride, however, according to NBDA, there are almost 18 times the amount of commuters than racers and many of those commuters ride year 'round instead of the high mileage months of competition for racers.

I wouldn't be surprised that commuter miles = racer miles. Not saying that's so, just that commuters deserve have a good bit to say about how things should go for cycling policy. At least as much as racers or recreational cyclists. Maybe more, because commuters on bicycles should be encouraged to help traffic flow in a city.
My analogy would be that the miles run up by the competitors practicing/racing for the NASCAR racing circuit should not be considered giving those Experienced High Mileage Driversmore say than taxi cab drivers, daily commuters, EMT vehicle operators or Soccor Moms when discussing the type of accomodations that should be made for drivers of motor vehicles in their faircities. No more so than basing bicycling advocacy on the needs of the competitors in the Race Across America or the Paris-Brest-Paris races.

[flipped4bikes]

Maybe being a typical archtype average cyclist needs to be more than just trying to survive the commute to work. Involvement in education of both cyclists and motorists is important. Communicating with the powers that be to ACTUALLY advocate bicycling in this modern society. I'd like to think that our archtype is enthusiastic about bikes whether it's taking his/her kid around the block to a century to celebrate someone's birthday. In other words, if we can be show that joy and zeal to others, than how could bicycling not be more appealing?

[closetbiker]

Recreational cyclists ride a wide variety of distance as well, but I'd bet their distances are pale in comparisson with commuters or racers yearly mileage. Still, with at least 18 times more recreational, than commuter cyclists, I'd say it's a fair bet a "typical" cyclist, on the road at any time, can be any kind of cyclist imaginable.

[Bekologist]

I think a very low, lowest common denominator of cycling skills is probably part of the aggregate.

[closetbiker]

I'd say a low common denominator of cycling skills is far more common in cyclists who have accidents and are present in those that motorists complain about.

Doesn't mean those that have skills and stay out of accidents and complaints are less plentiful. I'd say those skillful cyclists are in the majority. You just don't hear enough about them.

After all, didn't you mention reading that there were 65 million Americans that rode bicycles in the past year? There are only around 700 deaths on bicycles a year.

[Bekologist]

i'm betting most of those 65 million americans have a low aggregate of cycling skills, yes.


The average cyclist. doesn't wear spandex, rides a few times a year....7 miles per hour. might think wishfully about bike commuting as gas prices increase. Still pissed when they see bikers from their car windows, getting thru traffic congestion.


i think the skillful cyclist, those able to comfortably negotiate high speed differential, high volume arterials with alphadawg powerweave tactics- the extreme minority.

[sbhikes]

I think drivers get the most upset about the recreational racers who blow the lights and ride 2 or more abreast. I can hear them say, "Why should they get to use the roads as their personal playground when the rest of us are trying to get to work on time?" Next in line for their ire are the ones riding without lights and dark clothing. I don't think they notice or care about most of the rest.

Ironic that the ones that get BF members' dander up are the ones drivers co-exist in peace with the easiest: the joe-blow ordinary cyclists, the ones who use bike lanes, have some basic safety gear, and don't study books on cycling. These folks are the Honda Accords of the bicycling world.

[LittleBigMan]

I have a vision of the archtypical rider in America.

A person that rode as a kid, but has lately been getting back into cycling. Unsure about traffic negotiation. Considers drivers wild and crazy and traffic being dangerous. Wants to ride more, mabye commute to work, or at least do it more often. Wonders about the virtues of chamois. Conflicted- spandex or no spandex? Average speed: 12 miles an hour.
Sounds very plausible.

[genec]

I'd say a low common denominator of cycling skills is far more common in cyclists who have accidents and are present in those that motorists complain about.

Doesn't mean those that have skills and stay out of accidents and complaints are less plentiful. I'd say those skillful cyclists are in the majority. You just don't hear enough about them.

After all, didn't you mention reading that there were 65 million Americans that rode bicycles in the past year? There are only around 700 deaths on bicycles a year.

Of that 65 million that rode bicycles last year... how many were riding on the streets, and how many drove to some park and rode on the MUP? That is where the difference lies. I know when I visit my brother in law in Newport beach, they know I cycle... so everyone gets excited about taking a bicycle trip, they get the bikes out of the garage, wipe off the dust and spider webs, use my good floor pump, and then we all go for about a 10 mile round trip ride on quiet back streets until we get to the beach boardwalk and back. They rode their bikes. The next time I visit, the conversation will be... "remember when we took that long bike ride..."

Yeah 65 million Americans ride a bike at least once a year. Ask these same folks about using a bike as regular transportation and the first thing that comes out are excuses not to... and questions about whether it is even legal to do so on "the regular streets... "

If 65 million Americans rode bikes regularly (even if not for commuting) I would think it would be pretty obvious both in our collective waistlines and on the streets where they might ride.

[genec]

There's a wide variety of distances commuters ride, however, according to NBDA, there are almost 18 times the amount of commuters than racers and many of those commuters ride year 'round instead of the high mileage months of competition for racers.

I wouldn't be surprised that commuter miles = racer miles. Not saying that's so, just that commuters deserve have a good bit to say about how things should go for cycling policy. At least as much as racers or recreational cyclists. Maybe more, because commuters on bicycles should be encouraged to help traffic flow in a city.

Tend to very much agree... in that commuters and utility cyclists are "the working cyclists...," whereas everyone else is doing it for recreational reasons.

I know that as a recreational racer type, I like to wait for the best conditions of the day to ride... such as early weekend mornings. As a commuter, I don't have that choice.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Tend to very much agree... in that commuters and utility cyclists are "the working cyclists...," whereas everyone else is doing it for recreational reasons.

I know that as a recreational racer type, I like to wait for the best conditions of the day to ride... such as early weekend mornings. As a commuter, I don't have that choice.
Again I will point out that those describing archetypes continue to neglect the largest number of cyclists and those possibly most dependent on a bicycle for transportation/personal freedom purposes: youthful cyclists who are cycling/commuting to school, playground, friends' house, the candy store, and anywhere else they want to go.

[chipcom]

Again I will point out that those describing archetypes continue to neglect the largest number of cyclists and those possibly most dependent on a bicycle for transportation/personal freedom purposes: youthful cyclists who are cycling/commuting to school, playground, friends' house, the candy store, and anywhere else they want to go.

You're giving away your age. Years ago, when I was a kid, even when my kids were pre-teen, I would agree with your assessment. But today, I think there are many less kids riding anywhere, let alone to school or to work. Regarding those of limited means who rely on transportation other than a POV, it's hard to tell what percentage are actually using a bicycle, or opt for walking, mass transit, etc. It might be safe to say that their numbers are pretty much a constant, varying only by the percentage that the population has grown and the state of the economy as a whole. So, I would have to agree that, today, the greater number and thus the 'average' cyclist is a recreational, non-club, cyclist who pretty much rides on the weekends, during fair weather, usually on a MUP, bike path, or other off-road venue.

[genec]

Again I will point out that those describing archetypes continue to neglect the largest number of cyclists and those possibly most dependent on a bicycle for transportation/personal freedom purposes: youthful cyclists who are cycling/commuting to school, playground, friends' house, the candy store, and anywhere else they want to go.

Exactly... the ultimate utility cyclists.

They however are also the ultimate hidden cyclists as they rarely ride in full public view. Kids often ride back alleys, sidewalks, back lots and shortcuts (under power poles, open lots etc).

Just riding my fat tire cruiser within a couple miles of my house this weekend... I was about as much kidlike as a 50 year old can be. And often I would see these packs of kids on their 20 inch wheeled bikes, darting from one furtive location to another... dashing across the back of the playgrounds, riding against the flow of traffic on quiet streets, jumping from the street to the sidewalk thanks to driveway aprons, scooting behind the theater and through the back of other parking lots. But never did I see them on the arterial streets. (although they did ride on the arterial sidewalks) They are out having fun, just as I was, on my big fat tire bike. They are there, but hardly visible. And yeah, they probably ride often.

But what happens when these kids reach driving age? How many of them will recall the fun they had on bikes? Or worse, how many will try to drive like they cycled? :eek:

Side note... so while I was buzzing about on the local streets, I noticed the biggest traffic hazard to me was folks turning off the arterial streets and taking corners wide and fast. They are leaving the 45MPH streets and hitting the 25MPH side streets as if no one was there or should be. I noticed the look of surprise in a couple of drivers eyes when they saw me in the opposite lane on these narrow streets as these motorists easily crossed the line (if one even existed).

[flipped4bikes]

Again I will point out that those describing archetypes continue to neglect the largest number of cyclists and those possibly most dependent on a bicycle for transportation/personal freedom purposes: youthful cyclists who are cycling/commuting to school, playground, friends' house, the candy store, and anywhere else they want to go.

Good point. If we can get kids to look at bicycling as an activity that lasts a lifetime, then maybe a bit of a sea change in attitude towards cycling...

[closetbiker]

I'll give you that a good number of kids ride bikes, but the number drops off when those kids hit driving age and the sheer numbers of the smaller portion of bike riders in the older age groups outnumber those youthful cyclists.

The 95% of riders that put in little mileage do so in a dangerous fashion. I'm sure they represent more than their share in injuries and deaths.

Check out how people on bikes die in this 8 year study and ask yourself how easy it could be to avoid these situations.

http://www.helmets.org/bcstudy.htm (3/4 way down, prt VI, appendix A)

If those 65 million rode regularily (and safer) the biggest impact would be to our collective health that dwarfs the accident/collision problem.

[genec]

I do agree with chipcom about the lack of kids riding to school... but I disagree that kids aren't even riding. The schoolgrounds lack of bike parking and parents all too willing to drive is part of the problem.

But kids are out there riding as ILTB noted, and as I saw... they are there, but they are not very public.

My own son was an example... wouldn't be caught dead riding a bike to school (in spite of my instance and providing him with a good bike and good lock). But as soon as he got home, he would take off "riding the trails" with friends. He may not have done a lot of miles, but he and others were out there riding... just like those various packs of kids I saw just yesterday.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Exactly... the ultimate utility cyclists.

They however are also the ultimate hidden cyclists as they rarely ride in full public view. Kids often ride back alleys, sidewalks, back lots and shortcuts (under power poles, open lots etc).
Oh I think they are in full public view alright; but totally off the radar screen of cycling enthusiasts; almost as invisible as the invisible cyclists that the Bicycling Magazine Editors "discovered " for one month. Just like motorists looking for on coming motorized vehicles look right through and never see approaching "invisible' Cyclists.

[LittleBigMan]

It's interesting that bicycles represent an exciting form of transportation for children. It broadens their scope of places to go with their friends (at least, it did when I was young.) But then when they approach 16 they start looking at cars as the new exciting way to get there. After that, many give up the bike. It's as if they're trying to be more "adult."

Trying to be more "adult" is what started me smoking at age 12. (Glad I gave it up at 30, then got back on the bike a few years later.)

[ken cummings]

Coastal San Diego is similar to Santa Barbara in many ways. We have:
1) bicycle commuters who cannot afford cars, including Latino workers;
2) club riders and triathletes-in=training with expensive bikes and clothing;
3) casual beach cruisers, both locals and tourists;
4) a smaller group of folks like me, who do solo recreational cycling and transportation cycling by choice.

An array of choices much like my area only it would be:

1. bicycle commuters who cannot afford cars, including Latino workers ~? 40%
2. kids on BMX bikes ~? 30%
3. club riders etc ~? 20%
4. a smaller group . . . ~? 10%
_________
5. surfing and beach use is limited due to distance from population centers.

[genec]

Oh I think they are in full public view alright; but totally off the radar screen of cycling enthusiasts; almost as invisible as the invisible cyclists that the Bicycling Magazine Editors "discovered " for one month. Just like motorists looking for on coming motorized vehicles look right through and never see approaching "invisible' Cyclists.

Oh you are right about them being "off the radar screen..." especially since Bike Shop owners and Bike magazines are probably trying to appeal to their parents... who control the wallets.

But as far as being visible... I really doubt it. The kids in my area are traveling in places that most adults never would even think to go... and I don't mean the streets. I am talking alleys, back lots and dirt trails... I would venture that not even their parents know how little Johnny gets from his house to friend Steves house... on the other side of the freeway, across the RR tracks. The other reason for the kids to actually work at being invisible... mandatory helmet laws. These kids are technically fugitives from the law... hiding in places where cruising cops are not likely to see them either... just because the kids don't wanna wear the "dorky helmets."

Why did I see them... 'cause I was riding my fat tire bike like a big kid... jumping curbs and riding back lots myself. Very much unlike my usual riding of my "racer" which is on the streets and fast, but very vehicular. (no way could I even think to jump a curb with those skinny wheels).

[chipcom]

I do agree with chipcom about the lack of kids riding to school... but I disagree that kids aren't even riding. The schoolgrounds lack of bike parking and parents all too willing to drive is part of the problem.

But kids are out there riding as ILTB noted, and as I saw... they are there, but they are not very public.

My own son was an example... wouldn't be caught dead riding a bike to school (in spite of my instance and providing him with a good bike and good lock). But as soon as he got home, he would take off "riding the trails" with friends. He may not have done a lot of miles, but he and others were out there riding... just like those various packs of kids I saw just yesterday.

Maybe it's this area, but I have noticed a huge drop in the number of kids riding at all. Their parents either don't get them bikes at all, or they don't let them ride. Our youngest often invites his friends to go riding with us...most of the time I have to let them ride one of our old bikes because they don't have one of their own. We used to see literally hundreds of kids riding in the park, now it's rare to see more than a handful. Yes, kids still ride, but dammit, from my view the numbers ain't what they used to be.

[genec]

Maybe it's this area, but I have noticed a huge drop in the number of kids riding at all. Their parents either don't get them bikes at all, or they don't let them ride. Our youngest often invites his friends to go riding with us...most of the time I have to let them ride one of our old bikes because they don't have one of their own. We used to see literally hundreds of kids riding in the park, now it's rare to see more than a handful. Yes, kids still ride, but dammit, from my view the numbers ain't what they used to be.

Wow, parents not even buying 'em bikes... now that is a crying shame. I know that as my son grew, we recycled his smaller bikes to neighbor kids that did not have a bike... just seemed like the right thing to do.

I will fully admit that kids are not riding to school as they once did... at least in my lifetime.