Thömus Veloshop AG conducted a survey among female and male cyclists within a week in February. Over 400 women took part, and the group of actively cycling women is showing strong growth rates.

28% of respondents ride a bike every day

Only one in ten respondents rated the importance of the bicycle in everyday life as a "means to an end". For 36 percent of all active cyclists, cycling is "important". Over 52 percent of all respondents even describe their relationship with bicycles as a "hobby". These statements are supported when asked about cyclists' usage habits. A remarkable 28% of respondents ride their bikes every day, over 44% ride several times a week and 16% do so several times a month.

While practically one hundred percent of respondents ride their bikes in summer, the spring and fall seasons have also become fully-fledged cycling seasons for 95%. Within the seasonal cycling behavior, however, winter can be described as the real surprise: 45% of respondents now also ride their bikes in winter, to work, for training purposes or - especially with the new, up-and-coming freerider bike types - also as winter excursionists, as the bikes' geometries, thick tires and disc brakes make it possible to control their handling well even on snow.

Among the possible uses for which bikes are used, the terms sport and training use score well with a good 70% of votes. The day trip seems to be an important purpose for many respondents. Everyday cyclists follow in next place with a good 46% of the votes. They run their daily errands and commute to work by bike.

4 out of 10 rode their bikes more in 2007, 8 out of 10 want to ride more in 2008

In 2007, 37 percent of respondents rode their bikes more than in the previous year, 41 percent rode about the same amount as in the previous year. In 2008, respondents want to increase their cycling again, and the trend is becoming clearer: 82 percent of all men and women surveyed intend to ride their bikes more in the new year than in the previous year.

When asked about the price of their current bike, 23 percent of respondents said that they paid 2,000 francs or less for their bike. As many as 18 percent have spent up to 3,000 francs on their bike, and a still impressive 16 percent have already spent between 4,000 and 5,000 francs. A remarkably large group of just under 10% of users have already paid between 6,000 and 7,000 francs for bikes or racing bikes. The best-represented group, with 24% of all respondents, has been riding their current bike for two years. As many as 16% of users stated that they had just bought their bike or had bought it within the last six months. Around 40% of all respondents have been riding their bike for 3 years or longer.

The dream bike can cost more in 2008

The respondents will be willing to pay more for their new dream bike in 2008. Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for high-quality bikes than before. Over 21 percent are prepared to pay up to CHF 3,000 for a new bike. A fifth of all respondents would spend up to CHF 4,000 or CHF 5,000 on their dream bike. It is remarkable that one cyclist per one hundred respondents today is prepared to pay over 10,000 francs for the bike or racing bike of their dreams.
Compared to other consumer goods such as cars or computers, 55 percent of all respondents still consider bicycles to be expensive. When asked about the types of bikes they have bought, just under half of the 1692 respondents said they had already bought an everyday or city bike at least once, but a remarkable 82 percent said they had already bought a mountain bike.

Trend from aluminum to carbon fiber bicycle frames

With regard to the preferred frame material for bicycles, a trend reversal is emerging: Aluminum frames continue to dominate at just under 70 percent. When asked about their preferred frame material, 53% answered "carbon" and 31% "aluminum". The classic tubular steel bicycle frame came a distant fourth in terms of popularity with just 3% of votes, behind the equally popular titanium frame material. Interest in membership of the Swiss Cycling Association remains minimal among those surveyed. Only 9 percent of respondents are members of the national cycling association.

The survey: In February 2008, Thömus Veloshop AG, one of the market-leading suppliers of bicycles in Switzerland, asked customers about their bicycle usage habits and purchasing behavior. Within a week between February 4 and 10, 1692 respondents completed the online survey. A surprisingly high proportion of women contributed to the bicycle survey: A total of 432 women and 1260 men provided information. The best-represented age group among cyclists in the survey was 30-39 year olds at 32%, followed by 25% of respondents aged 40-49. The third largest group is 20-29 year old men.

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Interview with Thomas Binggeli, Managing Director of Thömus Veloshop AG

82 percent of the 1692 people you surveyed want to ride their bikes more in 2008. Good intentions or a proven trend?
According to my findings, it is clearly a trend. More and more people are discovering the fascination of cycling. The bike movement is undergoing a very strong development. Health, fitness, exercise and shared experiences on your own doorstep, inexpensive and sustainable, are the success factors.

A comparatively high number of women (25 percent) took part in the survey. Do women ride their bikes more often?
Women are a rapidly growing target group for cycling. On the one hand, women are riding their bikes more and more often in their everyday lives. They are exercise-oriented and open to pragmatic solutions when it comes to concrete ecological measures. The sporty mountain bike segment in particular, including full-suspension mountain bikes, is attracting more and more women. They are discovering the convenience of modern, comfortable and easy-to-handle mountain bikes.

More than half of those surveyed see their dream bike in the price range between 4 and 6,000 francs. Has the image of the bicycle evolved from a commodity to an image object?
We are seeing a strong trend towards lifestyle products. Today's customers place high demands on mountain bikes. The bikes often have full suspension, disc brakes, customized components and are lighter than ever before. These advances cost money: a high-performance mountain bike with full suspension weighs 10 kilograms today, compared to 14 kilograms five years ago.

Yet 55 percent of respondents describe bicycles as expensive compared to cars or computers?
This assessment is easy to understand: Bicycles have comparatively fewer amenities, are exercise machines, you work up a sweat and sit on a saddle instead of leather upholstery. Cheap cars today cost 15,000 francs, as do very expensive bikes or racing bikes.

Out of 1692 people surveyed, just under a third say they ride a bike every day. Their reasoning?
If you take everyday cyclists and sporty cyclists together, you get dream figures for cycling development today. As resources become scarcer and people are able to go on excursions and vacations outside their own homes, the bicycle will become increasingly important in the coming years.

Surprise winter season: as many as 45 percent of all respondents say that they also ride their bikes in winter. Surprised?
Yes and no. Yes, surprised, because the proportion of winter bikers has risen sharply in the last two seasons. No, not surprised, because bikes and clothing have become more and more suitable for winter. You no longer freeze on a mountain bike or freerider. At the same time, winters are becoming shorter and milder due to climate change. The technology is adapted, wide handlebars, geometries that allow an upright sitting position, disc brakes for good handling in all conditions and softly pumped tires make biking in winter a real pleasure. More and more people are discovering the appeal of winter biking.

The carbon frame material is the material of choice for over half of those surveyed. Why are more and more cyclists impressed by carbon fiber frames?
The enormous prestige of carbon fiber from aircraft construction, automobile racing and sailing yachts is influencing the components. Topics such as Alinghi winning the Americas Cup have sensitized many cyclists. In the cycling world, the carbon frame has brought about a significant change in racing bikes, which are now 3 to 4 kilograms lighter than a few years ago. And carbon gives mountain bikes dream values. Imagine if someone had claimed a few years ago that a full-suspension, competitive mountain bike could weigh 10 kilograms or less.

Source: Press release