I agree, it is an interesting article. Would be interesting to see bike mfrs' marketing research data. I can only go by personal experience and my limited observational skills. But I see more 50 +(45?) year olds and Boomers then ever before on MUP's and rail trails. Most of them are on hybrids.
I used to be a roadie some years ago. Rode various upper mid range road bikes during the 70 and 80's bike boom. But when it came to buy bikes for my wife and me: I bought hybrids.
Given increasingly rough roads and more (not less) cars, IMO, MUP's, rail trails, and gravel back roads make for a more enjoyable ride. And hybrids handle those quite well.