Bicycle Colorado

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IN COLORADO, WE LOVE BICYCLES

Bicycle riders are a significant, active segment of Colorado’s population. We are not a niche!

%

Coloradans who own a bicycle (25% own three or more bicycles)

%

Coloradans who took a recreational bike ride in 2015 (48% higher than comparable national averages)

%

Coloradans who rode for recreation more than 31 days in 2015 (more than 50% rode at least 11 days)

%

Coloradans who used a bicycle for transportation in 2015 (about 7% participated in a race, event or bicycle vacation)

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO IS RIDING

Ethnicity and gender

  • 50 percent of Asian Americans and non-Hispanic white Americans reported riding a bicycle
  • 38 percent of Hispanic Americans and 21 percent of African Americans reported riding a bicycle
  • Males were more likely to have reported riding a bike, at 50 percent, compared to 37 percent of females

Income and age

  • Generally, the higher someone’s income, the more likely they were to have ridden a bicycle in 2015
  • The age group 35-44 was the most likely to have pedaled at 54 percent, but not much more so than other age groups
  • Only age 55 and above was significantly less likely to have ridden a bike, at 32 percent
  • Approximately 75 percent of Colorado residents with children ages 3 to 17 in their household reported that their children rode a bicycle in 2015
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE ARE RIDING
  • The most active cyclists are those living in the mountains; 57 percent reported bicycling in 2015
  • Residents of the Front Range are the second-most frequent bicyclists (44 percent) followed by residents of the Western Slope (39 percent)
  • Residents of the Eastern Plains were the least likely to have reported riding a bicycle, at 19 percent

BICYCLES LOVE COLORADO BACK

Riding a bicycle is not only core to Colorado’s identity. Bicycling contributed $1.6 billion in economic and health benefits to the state’s economy in 2015.

Annual health benefit of bicycling to the state (millions of dollars)

Annual household spending on bicycling (millions of dollars)

Economic impact of out-of-state bicycle tourism (millions of dollars) thanks to 1.7 million bike-riding visitors

Goods + services sold by Colorado's bicycle industry to out-of-state tourists (millions of dollars)

INCREASING BICYCLING (AND WALKING) IN COLORADO WILL LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS

Active transportation is one of the easiest ways to introduce healthy activity into Coloradan’s daily lives.

Increasing bicycling (and walking) = significant health benefits

Just a 10 percent increase in bicycling and walking in Colorado would prevent an additional 30-40 deaths per year and lead to $258-$387 million in additional annual health savings to the state. A 30 percent increase could equal up to $2 billion in additional health savings.

Safe street design prevents costly injuries

Three dozen complete streets infrastructure redesigns can save $18 million in reduced and less-severe collisions.

Bicycle facilities increase property values

Studies have also shown that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure increases property values and spurs development. That infrastructure, as well as trail-oriented development, has contributed to increases in real estate values and new development activity.

Protected bike lanes are good for business

Protected bike lanes increase retail visibility and sales volume. Cyclists shop often and spend as much or more than those arriving by automobile. An additional benefit is that business owners can fit 10 cyclist customers in a parking space, as opposed to one automobile customer.

COLORADO CAN STILL DO BETTER

Residents want to ride more, but it needs to be safer and more accessible.

Bicycling infrastructure needs improvement

Colorado residents are, overall, unsatisfied with the state’s bicycling infrastructure, including lack of dedicated and protected bicycle facilities, bicycle-friendly traffic signals and accommodations such as bike parking and showers at destinations.

Bicycling access needs improvement

The ability to ride a bicycle without fear of being hit; the ability to use public transit in conjunction with riding; and the availability of bike lanes, trails and bicycle parking all received low marks from residents.

Bicycle Colorado has been doing this work for more than 25 years

The benefits of bicycling to the state as a whole, and our fellow Coloradans’ desires for more and safer riding options, directs our mission to make this the #1 state for bikes. Please support that work today! Join, donate or simply sign up for our email newsletter.

Source: 2016 Economic and Health Benefits of Walking and Bicycling in Colorado

 

Bicycle Colorado
@BicycleColo

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The Latest News

  • Dec 22, 2022
  • by Bicycle Colorado
Celebrating another year of biking advocacy, education and growth

  • Share and tag your bicycle images
  • DON’T DELAY: We’re placing another order for #BicycleColorado masks made by our friends at @primalwear TOMORROW (5/14) at noon! Click the link in our bio to get yours now! • • • We’re thrilled to see so many people out enjoying (and often rediscovering the joy of) riding a bike right now, and we’re asking ALL bicyclists to do their part to prevent the spread of #covid19 by wearing a mask or other face covering when out for a ride. Doing so keeps you, your loved ones, those around you, and all Coloradans safer while helping reduce stress on our medical system. If you still need a mask, click the link in our bio to pre-order one now and support our advocacy work! Thanks so much to everyone who has already purchased, and to @primalwear for supporting our efforts over the years. Ride on.
  • #BicycleColorado volunteers and staff members spent time today helping @denverurbangardens and @denverfoodrescue deliver “Grow a Garden” food boxes to home-bound families in Denver—via bike! Supporting our community on two wheels makes for a great way to spend a sunny day. Many thanks to our friends @ddchen47, David M., and @juggernautcargo for your help! Head to denverfoodrescue.org or dug.org to learn more about these great local organizations. #rideyourbike
  • Tonight the #BicycleColorado team celebrated Stacey, our outgoing Development Director, with a virtual happy hour. Stacey has been an absolute rockstar for BC. We’re sad to see her leave, but thrilled for her as she heads out on a new adventure (hopefully in the #BikeAdvocacy space!) in North Carolina. Please join us in wishing her well!