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Cycling in the United States

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Overview

Cycling in the United States is a minor sport in the country. It is also a recreational activity, and a mode of transport, particularly in urban areas.

Facts

Rank

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia1,156 words

WBP editorial3

Infrastructure versus appetite

Across the United States, the quality of bike lanes and shared paths varies dramatically, shaping how residents incorporate two‑wheeled travel into daily life. In cities like Portland and Minneapolis, protected lanes criss‑cross neighbourhoods, encouraging commuters to eschew the car for short trips. By contrast, many Sun Belt metros sustain only fragmented networks, making cycling a more deliberate leisure pursuit than a utilitarian habit. Awareness of this patchwork helps travellers plan routes that either showcase world‑class greenways—such as the Georgia Coast Scenic Bikeway—or reveal where a bit of improvisation is required, like navigating traffic‑heavy corridors in Dallas. Understanding the local infrastructure landscape is as vital as checking the weather before setting out.

Seasonal rhythm and regional quirks

The American cycling calendar is dictated less by a national competition schedule and more by climate zones. In the Pacific Northwest, the Spring bloom and mild autumns create a narrow window for comfortable road rides, prompting clubs to cluster events into a few weeks. Meanwhile, the Midwest’s harsh winters give rise to a vibrant indoor track scene, where velodromes keep enthusiasts sharp until thaw. In desert cities, cyclists adapt by planning early‑morning or late‑evening outings to dodge extreme heat. Recognising these regional rhythms lets riders synchronise their itineraries with local group rides, charity rides, or seasonal festivals that might otherwise be missed.

Beyond the road: alternative cycling cultures

While road racing often grabs headlines, the United States nurtures a rich tapestry of niche cycling sub‑cultures. Mountain biking thrives in the rugged backcountry of Colorado and Utah, where lift‑accessed trails turn downhill pursuits into day‑trip rituals for locals and visitors alike. Urban fixie crews in New York and Los Angeles treat the bike as a canvas for personal expression, gathering in pop‑up crits that double as social mixers. Gravel grinding, a relatively new craze, sees cyclists tackling the vast, unpaved stretches of the Great Plains, linking small towns through slow‑paced, self‑supported tours. Engaging with these varied scenes provides a fuller picture of how cycling is woven into the American lifestyle beyond the Olympic spotlight.

As recreation

[edit] History[edit] 1819: Before pedals[edit] Early dandy horses were imported into Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City, where a few copies were made locally at firms such as Davis and Rogers. 1867–1870: Vélocipède[edit] Pierre Lallement brought components from France to make a velocipede in the U.S., and was issued a patent in 1866. Although he did not further this advance, it led to a four year biking craze. A Brooklyn Velocipede Club was formed, and schools opened to instruct riders. The Velocipedist published by Pickering & Davis in New York is cited as an early dedicated cycling periodical. 1878–1902: Ordinary to Safety models[edit] Colonel Albert Pope, a former Civil War officer and successful entrepreneur from Boston, first sold imported models then began the manufacture of a high mount or "ordinary" bicycle from his factory in Hartford. Around 1879 bicycle clubs formed in Detroit, Boston and Connecticut, followed in 1880 by the League of American Wheelmen. G.W. Pressey invented the American Star Bicycle, and in 1887 Overman Wheel Company became the first American manufacturer of the safety bicycle. Bicycle vendor exhibitions were held in Chicago (1889), Philadelphia (1891), and New York City (1892). American bicycle production was at about 30,000 in 1890, expanding to 60,000 (1892), 100,000 (1894), 400,000 (1896) then more than 900,000 a year (1898, 1899), with over 1.1 million in 1900. American manufacturers grew from 27 to 400, including Gormully & Jeffery, Western Wheel Works, Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works, Eagle Bicycle Manufacturing Company, Eclipse Bicycle Company, Grand Rapids Cycle Company Factory, Huffy Bicycle Company, Lozier Manufacturing Company, Monarch Cycle Manufacturing Company, Pierce Cycle Co., Rouse-Duryea Cycle Co., Arnold, Schwinn & Co., Snyder & Fisher Bicycle Works, E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency, Sterling Bicycle Co., White Manufacturing Company, Winton Bicycle Co., Wright Cycle Company and Zimmerman Bicycle Co. About 55 manufacturing plants were consolidated into the American Bicycle Company, resulting in 312 American manufacturers recorded in 1900. The craze ended around 1902, with many manufacturers ceasing production of bicycles. 1920–1950[edit] 1960–1980[edit]

As a mode of transport

[edit] History[edit] Bicycling experienced a rise in popularity in the 21st century, as people sought to escape the congestion and reduce their environmental impact. Research shows that cycling is not only environmentally-friendly but is also beneficial to one's mental, physical, and social health. Activists and organizations such as the League of American Bicyclists campaigned for safer bicycle infrastructure. However, recent efforts to increase cycling in the United States have been insufficient, and the number of people who ride their bikes continues to plummet from 2014-2019. Recently, many American cities have started to promote cycling due to economic and educational opportunities, following what many European countries did in the past decades where they reclaimed space in the urban landscape from cars. National Geographic author Ilana Strauss suggests a direct correlation between perceived safety features like protected bike lanes and the amount of cyclists on the road. Law[edit] This section is an excerpt from Bicycle law in the United States.[edit] Bicycle law in the United States regulates the use of bicycles. Although bicycle law is a relatively new specialty within the law, first appearing in the late 1980s, its roots date back to the 1880s and 1890s, when cyclists were using the courts to assert a legal right to use the roads. In 1895, George B. Clementson, an American attorney, wrote The Road Rights and Liabilities of Wheelmen, the first book on bicycle law, in which he discussed the seminal cases of the 1880s and 1890s, which were financed by Albert Pope of Columbia Bicycles, and through which cyclists gained the right to the road. By the mid-1980s, a substantial body of law pertaining to bicycles had developed, and a few attorneys had begun specializing in bicycle law. Today, attorneys specializing in bicycle law represent professional athletes, as well as average cyclists, on issues ranging from professional contracts, to traffic accidents, to traffic tickets. In addition, attorneys specializing in bicycle law may advise cyclists on other legal issues, such as bicycle theft, insurance, harassment of cyclists, defective products law, and non-professional contractual issues. Many U.S. states require by law that children wear helmets while bicycling. Demographics[edit] A group of amateur sport cyclists on a morning run along Lakefront Trail in Chicago, 2025. According to a research article by Harry Oosterhuis, American cyclists' demographics mostly consist of men, students, and youngsters. Cycling advocates have asserted that low-income and minority communities also see a much lower percentage of cyclists due to the disproportionately low access to bicycle infrastructures. Culture[edit] The United States is generally considered as one of the least bicycle-friendly countries in the world. Compared to the Netherlands, where 27 percent of workers commute on a bike, America has an 1 percent of trips being completed on a bicycle. Many speculate that the lack of use of bicycles usage in the United States is because of the dominance of cars. However, some studies suggest that the socioeconomic and sociocultural characteristics of the United States are also contributing factors. Ralph Buehler, John Pucher, and Adrian Bauman, writing in Journal of Transport & Health, conducted a logistic regression research where they concluded the aforementioned factors are proven to be "substantial" when it comes to its impact on cycling. They concluded that women, children, and low-income communities are often ignored when new cycling facilities are being built. Another article in Journal of Transport Geography suggests that this socioeconomic inequality regarding bicycle infrastructure is due to the belief of a higher demand for said infrastructure in dense and urban areas, which is generally linked to high-income, high-education communities. The authors also suggested a motivating factor of bicycle infrastructure development is its economic potential of returning highly educated Americans back to the cities.

As a sport

[edit] This section is an excerpt from USA Cycling.[edit] USA Cycling or USAC, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States. It covers the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, and BMX across all ages and ability levels. In 2015, USAC had a membership of 61,631 individual members. USA Cycling is associated with the UCI or, Union Cycliste Internationale, which governs international cycling, and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The organization is also a member of the continental body Confederacion Panamericana de Ciclismo (COPACI). USA Cycling also organizes the USA Cycling Pro Road Tour, the top road cycling series for men and women in the United States. Lance Armstrong was one of the United States' most successful cyclists. Ayesha McGowan became the first African American female professional road cyclist. Major Taylor was the first African American world champion in cycling.