New federal economic data shows bicycling continues to play an important role in the rapidly growing U.S. outdoor recreation economy.
According to newly released statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the outdoor recreation economy generated $1.26 trillion in economic output in 2024, a 3.4% increase from 2023, supporting 5.2 million American jobs and accounting for 2.4% of U.S. GDP.
Within that broader sector, bicycling drove $3.67 billion in value-added economic activity, representing the U.S. bike industry’s direct contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product and marking 3.4% growth over the previous year.
“These numbers confirm what communities, businesses, and riders already know: bikes are more than recreation,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “Bicycling supports jobs, powers local economies, and strengthens communities across the country. From local bike shops to manufacturing and tourism, the bike industry plays a meaningful role in America’s outdoor economy.”
The annual Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account from the BEA provides the most comprehensive federal measurement of the outdoor recreation economy, capturing economic activity across sectors ranging from boating and camping to bicycling, snow sports, and outdoor travel.
Because the federal accounting primarily measures domestic production, the BEA figure represents only a segment of the bicycle industry’s total economic activity. PeopleForBikes estimates the total U.S. bicycle industry market reached approximately $7.6 billion in sales in 2024, spanning specialty retailers, mass merchants, and direct-to-consumer brands.
“These federal numbers tell an important story, but they only show part of the picture,” Dice said. “When you consider the full ecosystem — bike shops, manufacturers, tourism, events, and the places people ride — the economic impact of bicycling is significantly larger.”
Retail remains a cornerstone of the bicycle industry’s economic impact. Independent bicycle dealers continue to anchor the specialty market, while mass merchants and direct-to-consumer brands expand access to bikes nationwide. Together, these channels reflect a diverse marketplace that connects millions of Americans with bicycles for recreation, transportation, and fitness.
“Local bike shops are at the heart of our industry,” Dice said. “They introduce new people to cycling, provide service and expertise, and create community around riding. At the same time, manufacturers and emerging sales channels are helping bring bikes to more people than ever before.”
For the bicycle industry, the recent findings reinforce a broader trend: communities that invest in safe and connected places to ride often see measurable economic benefits, including tourism spending, stronger local business activity, and improved quality of life.
“Investments in bike infrastructure and safe streets are also investments in economic growth,” Dice said. “When communities build better places to ride, participation grows, and so does the bike business.”
PeopleForBikes works with policymakers, businesses, and communities nationwide to expand access to bicycling and strengthen its economic impact through initiatives such as City Ratings and the Great Bike Infrastructure Project, which tracks thousands of planned and proposed bike projects across the United States.
Later this month industry executives, policymakers, and advocates will gather at the 2026 Bicycle Leadership Conference in Dana Point, California, to discuss the economic trends, participation growth, and policy developments shaping the future of the bike business.
“With millions of Americans riding bikes every year, participation remains the foundation of our industry’s economic impact,” Dice said. “Bicycling is one of the most accessible ways people experience the outdoors and it will continue to play a vital role in the future of outdoor recreation across the country.”
Key Economic Highlights
Bicycling Industry Impact (2024)
● $3.67 billion in value-added GDP contribution
● 3.4% growth from 2023
● An estimated $7.6 billion in total U.S. bicycle industry sales
Estimated Bicycle Industry Sales Breakdown
● $3.6 billion — Independent bike dealers (Circana)
● $2.8 billion — Mass merchants (Circana)
● $1.2 billion — Direct-to-consumer (PeopleForBikes)
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