A lot more UK cyclists did 100-mile rides in 2022 than 2021, Strava data reveals
The company's Year in Sport report shows exercise trends have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels
More cyclists in the UK took on longer distance rides in 2022 than the year before, according to data published today by exercise tracking application Strava.
Compared to 2021 figures, the company saw a 46% increase in the number of UK cyclists uploading rides over 100 miles (161km) to the platform. This was significantly higher increase than in other countries, such as France which noted a 37% increase and the USA, where the figure rose by 12%.
The data, revealed as part of Strava’s 2022 Year in Sport report, coincides with a general rise in group activities across the platform following Covid lockdowns.
According to Strava, athletes who exercised in pairs went longer in both time and distance than when they were on their own, and longer still in larger groups.
Company CEO Michael Horvath said: “Global trends in this year’s data show tremendous energy for activities we can do together.
“The feelings of joy and connection we get by being active together can be amplified and inspire others when we share all the aspects of our active lives with our community.”
E-bike rides on the rise
Strava also recorded an increase in the number of users logging an e-bike ride on the platform, which has grown by 26% compared to 2021.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Speaking at the platform's Year in Sport event inside London’s Tate Modern this morning, paralympian Dame Sarah Storey said that e-bikes are “the future”.
“E-bikes are here to stay and will take over the world,” added Storey, the active travel commissioner for Greater Manchester, who rode to the event on a folding electric bicycle.
According to Strava usage trends, e-bike trips are 30% more likely to be commutes than non e-bike trips. In 2022, the platform noted that commuting reached near pre-pandemic levels, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays by far the most popular days for travelling into work.
As well as commuting, international travel also rebounded back to 2019 levels. Athletes logging activities abroad more than doubled in 2022, with Spain the top travel destination. For Brits, the most popular destination was Spain’s Balearic Islands, which include the cycling haven of Mallorca.
More generally, there were more than 7 billion activities shared on Strava in 2022, with users present in every country on earth.
Strava users will be able to view their own, personalised Year in Sport on 15 December.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
Egan Bernal says he has regained his pre-crash form, but others have improved
Colombian, who suffered traumatic training accident in 2022, aiming for return to Tour de France
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Lotte Kopecky to miss Tour de France Femmes with Olympics the main goal
World Champion set to ride Tour of Britain Women and Giro d'Italia Donne before Paris games
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard’s former team reclaims Coll de Rates KOM from Juan Ayuso
18-year-old Peter Øxenberg Hansen now officially holds Strava title, beating UAE Emirates rider by 11 seconds
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I got the dreaded uh-oh email from Strava... he took my KOM by 15 seconds': Phil Gaimon wins battle over world's hardest segment
American holds 249 watts on gruelling five-hour Mauna Kea effort to reclaim crown
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘Dear tiger': Why do Wout van Aert’s Strava files all have strange names?
The Visma-Lease a Bike rider has been feeling musical on a training camp
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'People aren't as snooty or uptight': gravel boom shows no signs of slowing, and here's why
Gravel bike riding is "one of the fastest-growing sports" on Strava, with 55% more people doing it in 2023
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Strava analyzed all our activities and found that boomers bike, Gen Z likes the party pace and we’re all held back by work
Strava’s Year in Sport takes an analytical deep dive into the habits of 120 million athletes world wide. Here's what they found.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Jenny Graham Q&A: ‘I’ve stayed in more public toilets than I care to admit’
The Scottish ultra-endurance cyclist talks about bikepacking, hiding from bears in Alaska, and writing a book
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Strava appoints YouTube exec as new CEO hopes to 'take it to the next level'
Michael Martin will lead the exercise app from 2 January 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Strava introduces messaging
The activity-tracking app can now be used to chat to your fellow cyclists and runners
By Adam Becket Published