Cyclists are riding further, heading off-road and using electric bikes more, according to Strava’s latest Year in Sport report.
The cycling app’s annual report crunches public activity uploads between October 1 2021 and September 30 2022 to reveal the trends behind the data.
With most of the world returning to relative normality in 2022, Strava’s report shows a significant rise in the number of cyclists logging at least one 100-mile activity, with the UK leading the way.
Meanwhile, Strava has seen a surge in ‘trail’ activities, hinting at the growing popularity of gravel bikes and electric mountain bikes.
On that note, electric bike use has increased across Strava users, with this year’s data revealing the countries and age groups where ebike adoption is most prevalent.
The report also reveals post-pandemic commuting habits, revealing the shift in workplace culture in 2022.
Meanwhile, the uptick in indoor cycling that Strava has reported in previous years wasn’t on the radar this time round, after two years of regular lockdowns.
Strava Year in Sport 2022 key statistics
- More than 100 million Strava users
- Over 7 billion activities
- More than 30 million Strava segments
- 9.9 billion kudos given
- Over 10 million photos and videos shared each week
UK century rides are on the rise
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Strava’s data shows an increase in the number of cyclists uploading at least one ride of 100 miles or more, with a rise of 22 per cent globally.
The UK leads the way for an increased share of cyclists recording a century ride, growing 46 per cent versus 2021. In the USA there has been a 12 per cent increase.
Getting off the beaten track
Strava says 52 per cent of users logged ‘trail’ activities in 2022.
“Some of us are riding the new trends in cycling – like gravel bikes and electric mountain bikes,” reads the report. “Others are contributing to a surge in trail and ultra running.”
Strava hasn’t provided any data on the specific popularity of gravel riding or eMTBs in 2022, although the report does reveal that ‘trail’ activities are 55 per cent more likely to be done in groups.
Increase in ebike use
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Strava says the share of cyclists with an ebike ride recorded in 2022 has increased by 26 per cent.
The UK, in particular, has seen a large proportional increase, with the number of cyclists uploading an ebike ride almost doubling to around five per cent.
However, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria lead the way for ebike use.
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Strava’s data also reveals the distribution of ebike rides between age groups in the UK.
Older riders are more likely to use an electric bike, with nearly 10 per cent of ‘baby boomers’ (58-76) and more than 15 per cent of ‘traditionalists’ (77+) recording an ebike activity.
Bike commuting is back but habits are changing
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Unsurprisingly, given the return to office-based work, Strava says it has logged more commutes this year than last, although the share of users cycling to work still isn’t back to 2019 levels, before the pandemic.
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However, taking a more local view, there’s almost a doubling of bike commutes in Paris versus 2019.
It’s one of the cities that has done the most to encourage active transport over that period, with more bike lanes and an increase in secure bike parking.
Rio de Janeiro, Berlin, Tokyo and Munich also fare well.
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Further revealing the popularity of commuting by bike, Strava says two-thirds of total rides in Paris and London are commutes.
However, Bristol and Manchester are among the cities still below 2019 levels in the UK, while Portland, San Francisco and Washington DC have struggled in the US.
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Warmer climes
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Strava has also found that UK users were most likely to head to Spain if they travelled abroad, with France a close second, followed by the USA.
The number of Strava users logging an activity abroad has almost bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, doubling from 2021.
It’s better together
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Strava’s data shows that having a ride buddy has helped in 2022, in terms of both speed and distance.
“Athletes in pairs went longer in both time and distance than when they were solo, and often longer still in a group of three or more,” according to the report, which also notes that cyclists rode faster in groups than solo.
Strava’s data shows that cyclists with grouped activities recorded 87 per cent more active time than their solo counterparts.
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Finally, there were more active days and time logged in January by users who recorded more than one activity type.
And, away from cycling, and reflecting Strava’s increased adoption elsewhere, alpine skiing tops the list of fastest-growing sport types.