Breaking Down the Demographics of Bicycle Commuters

A new report from the League of American Bicyclists discussed equity in bicycle commuting and infrastructure, causing a flurry of discussion throughout the Internet.

1 minute read

August 20, 2014, 7:00 AM PDT

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


Taz Loomans of Blooming Rock discussed race and cyclists in a recent post, responding to a new report by the League of American Bicyclists regarding equity and bicycle commuting. Loomans describes two types of bicycle commuters, those who want to and those who have to. Indeed, the League of American Bicyclists found that, "immigrants are twice as likely as US-born Americans to travel by bicycle. Those earning less than $35,000 and living in dense residential areas are more than 10 times as likely to travel by bike."

In another post responding to these new findings from the League of American Bicyclists, Shaun Courtney of Urbanful referenced a study by American University, "based on two surveys conducted in 2012 and 2013 of 260 commuters from Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8–which are more than 94% African American and among the poorest areas in the city. They found that among the chief concerns keeping those commuters from using bikes were safety, poor infrastructure and distance."

Courtney supports Loomans's argument, that "bike advocacy has thus far focused on people who ride by choice, appealing to people’s concerns about health and the environment. But the League of American Bicyclists realized that this approach is incomplete and needs to be revamped to address the 'new majority'. The new majority is 'the new majority that elected a president — youth, women and people of color.'"

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 in Blooming Rock

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit