Social class of cyclists?

[ingsve]

The issue of economics came up in the thread about black cyclists and since I didn't want to hijack that thread I made this one instead.

What is the predominant social class that cyclists come from? Is it upper-middle class that is dominating because of the economic requirements of starting out in the sport or does it also extend to lower middle class or working class families?

Is there any difference between various countries? How is it in traditional cycling countries vs other countries? Is there any difference between east and west europe?

 

[Polyarmour]

I've always thought cycling was the great social leveller. You can find all sorts of people in the peloton.

 

[ak-zaaf]

The issue of economics came up in the thread about black cyclists and since I didn't want to hijack that thread I made this one instead.

What is the predominant social class that cyclists come from? Is it upper-middle class that is dominating because of the economic requirements of starting out in the sport or does it also extend to lower middle class or working class families?

Is there any difference between various countries? How is it in traditional cycling countries vs other countries? Is there any difference between east and west europe?

It used to be a poor mans sport in the low countries. A lot people close to the Dutch/Belgian border used bikes to smuggle butter, cigarettes and other items across the border in the early 1900's. They began to ride races because of the prize money involved.
Most of them didn't want to go to the TDF cause Kermesses made them a lot more money.

Nowadays the lowest incomes couldn't possibly afford to let their kid go cycling seriously.

 

[Marcus135]

In countries outside Europe were the sport is not nearly as big i would say that it is upper middle class as poorer people cannot afford all the expensive equipment that is needed. They are also not as driven to get a bike as sport is not so big they see no need. The fact is its an expensive sport so unfortunately poorer people cannot afford to

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

in europe and sotuh america is is almost always lower/middle class a real sport for the normal people

in north america I've heard it's an upper class sport

 

[El Pistolero]

I think most of them are not poor, but not very rich either. Look at Contador's past and what he rode with when he came into cycling for example.

 

[The Hitch]

This came up in Vuelta Pais Vasco, when Backsted and whoever else was with him, talked about it. They said it was mainly working class who become cyclists.

In the Vuelta a Espana, Harmonn said that cycling was historically a way out of poverty for young lads in the working class (which in spain has been historically poorer than elsewhere in Western Europe)

make of that what you will.

 

[Vonn Brinkman]

Cycling is a traditional poor man's sport.
If you look at the Dutch riders throughout the decades, almost all of them have come from the working/farming class. Robert Gesink as well.
The only real exception to the rule was Erik Breukink, who came from the upper-middle class of Den Haag in the late 80's.
But these days, with the cost of equipment, cycling is becoming more and more a sport for the upper classes, especially outside of Europe.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

It used to be a poor mans sport in the low countries. A lot people close to the Dutch/Belgian border used bikes to smuggle butter, cigarettes and other items across the border in the early 1900's. They began to ride races because of the prize money involved.
Most of them didn't want to go to the TDF cause Kermesses made them a lot more money.

Nowadays the lowest incomes couldn't possibly afford to let their kid go cycling seriously.

true, it's a shame although most of the people that race are not from rich families, more lower middle class or middle class(at least in Belgium)

 

[max_powers]

Have you seen the price of decent tires lately?

We've witnessed the numbers in the sport grow, when's that economy of scale supposed to kick in? A pair of cycling Sidi shoes seem outrageous compared to Sidi motorcycle boots.

all about the price points, and what we are willing to pay, seems.

 

[Dettol]

The more intersting question would be how would you gain larger partcipation rates? How would you lower costs of entry? Make cycling 'cool' etc?

 

[Izzy eviel]

Sadly even in the Western world there's a lot of poverty. Most people I see in London can barely afford shoes let alone a bike. Even if you do have money for a bike, if your going to taking up cycling properly then you are going to need the right equipment and thats the expensive part.

Bike - £200
Lock - £30
Helmet -£30
Maintenance gear - ??
Drinks/food ???
Clothing???
Upgrades ???

Thats why we see so few people from other ethnicities on bikes. They tend to be immigrants and thus in poverty. And they come from parts of the world where there is no cycling heritage.

 

[bjaelkesex]

My current teacher in entrepreneurship runs his own business in Spain where he sells cycling package holidays. The concept is that you rent or bring your own bike, stay at a small (but rather expensive) hotel and set out on various routes from that destination. Anyways, he came to the conclusion that cycling was the new golf. I'm aware of the missing Tiger but in terms of equipment cost and appeal I find it true.

 

[Oldman]

in europe and sotuh america is is almost always lower/middle class a real sport for the normal people

in north america I've heard it's an upper class sport

In North Am it's a social level ground. Lots of new riders starting out at all ages and both genders, at least in this region. The increase in women's participation is particularly strong and defies age/economic stereotype. I say that knowing marketing people think they have a handle on it and they may have a better demographic chart.

 

[Dettol]

If you 'love' cycling enough you'll find the money somehow. That being said it's an relatively expensive sport. I'd welcome some Chinese brands\manufacturers to add competition.

 

[boardhanger]

The UCI did implement a thing about the economics of the sport at a lower level because athletes in Africa just simply could not compete financaily. Cycling is the number 2/3 sport in Ethopia and other countries there. I know the UCI was concerned about it. If I can google it i'll post the link.

 

[simo1733]

when i started racing in the 90's i had very basic equipment but so did a lot of people.Nowadays it seems that people are afraid to race unless they have ten speed and carbon frame.

 

[boardhanger]

when i started racing in the 90's i had very basic equipment but so did a lot of people.Nowadays it seems that people are afraid to race unless they have ten speed and carbon frame.

So very true !!!

 

[BroDeal]

If you 'love' cycling enough you'll find the money somehow. That being said it's an relatively expensive sport. I'd welcome some Chinese brands\manufacturers to add competition.

That has begun. The "cheap Chinese frames" and "cheap Chinese carbon wheels" threads have been getting huge numbers of posts on RBR. They have to keep closing threads and opening another. The frames are sub $500 shipped to your door from Taiwan. The deep section carbon wheels are about the same.

By moving all the manufacturing to Asia, bike companies in the West have become little more than marketing operations. It is only a matter of time before people start thinking that if they are going to buy a Chinese frame then they might as well buy from the source rather than pay a markup of several hundred percent.

 

[Ferminal]

That has begun. The "cheap Chinese frames" and "cheap Chinese carbon wheels" threads have been getting huge numbers of posts on RBR. They have to keep closing threads and opening another. The frames are sub $500 shipped to your door from Taiwan. The deep section carbon wheels are about the same.

By moving all the manufacturing to Asia, bike companies in the West have become little more than marketing operations. It is only a matter of time before people start thinking that if they are going to buy a Chinese frame then they might as well buy from the source rather than pay a markup of several hundred percent.

It does make you wonder about the big brands and collusion, price fixing etc.

 

[TexPat]

It does make you wonder about the big brands and collusion, price fixing etc.

You hit the nail on the head, Ferminal.
Not sure who's getting rich in the bike industry, but it ain't the bike shops. For the last two decades, the manufacturers have succeeded in making things more cheaply, yet the prices charged don't seem to follow.
It's really rather funny when some charlatan in Taiwan or China decides there is money to be made by side-stepping the primary supply channels. True entrepreneurialism.

On the topic:
Road cycling has always been an upper middle class sport in the US. Mountainbiking seems to have cracked the lower socioeconomic levels for a variety of reasons.

 

[DirtyWorks]

My current teacher in entrepreneurship runs his own business in Spain where he sells cycling package holidays. The concept is that you rent or bring your own bike, stay at a small (but rather expensive) hotel and set out on various routes from that destination. Anyways, he came to the conclusion that cycling was the new golf. I'm aware of the missing Tiger but in terms of equipment cost and appeal I find it true.

Waay back in the 1980's it was either trust funders 'having an adventure' or people choosing cycling over owning a car. The latter individual who are still around are was making a choice that is counter to Yankee car-topia thinking.

I've recently started riding again after a 10 year break and find it to be the new golf. Luxury sports utility vehicles with equally expensive bikes on them. The age of rider varies, but none of them have a single callous or dishwasher's hands. This is new. I'm okay with it. More riders is better.

 

[Polyarmour]

I hear the argument about cycling being expensive for poorer countries but here is another perspective. Traditionally people in many poorer countries have embraced the bicycle as a means of transport. I think bicycles are still pretty cheap in these countries.

 

[Michele]

I hear the argument about cycling being expensive for poorer countries but here is another perspective. Traditionally people in many poorer countries have embraced the bicycle as a means of transport. I think bicycles are still pretty cheap in these countries.

But the Countries you're referring to, are converting to cars.

 

[Dettol]

The problem is cars are seen as a sign of affluence. Why would you ride around on a bike unless you had to? Why would you start cycling as a sport? Don't only poor people cycle?

That's the divide generally speaking. In anglophone countries cycling is more or less seen as a white collar middle class sport, in Europe a blue collar sport and in most parts of Asia and Africa just a means to an end for commuting.