Cycling tourists-demographics

[shootingstar]

Well tulip, your experience at that more tender age..sounds like more a European child's experience..at least in Germany. I was told by dearie and German ex-pat employees in last job that it is abit more common to see children cycle-touring with their parents in Germany. Can include cycling along with one's own little bike pannier.

I desperately want to believe that many people with less education AND less income, would make an active choice to do cycling as a means of transportation during a vacation.

But my gut reaction believes the opposite: people from those backgrounds if they have a choice, they will go out of their way to avoid a long cycling trip, because to them, vacation is to not feel physical pain/discomfort (which can happen on long bike trips) but as a means to rest/treat oneself. Particularily if they have low-paying, physically demanding jobs or jobs with long hrs. So it's bus, train ...if they don't have a car.

That's just a generalization...based on several relatives who haven't finished high school, came from China as an adult during a time when the country used to have alot more bikes (not true anymore), and who have jobs here that are low-paying and physically demanding/repetitive. First thing these relatives did within first 5 yrs. of immigrating to Canada: get driver's training, get their license and their own car.

[kiwibug]

I think that the demographic thing (education and income level) has more to do with being able to afford the equipment necessary for a comfortable tour. I'm sure that you can do a cycling tour without a bike that is over 1000$ and without fancy shorts, but I don't think it would be nearly as comfortable.

I think that cycling is geared more to upper-middle class - most people I know wouldn't dream of spending over a thousand dollars on a bike. Then again, a lot of people are willing to spend that much on a high end television, and to me it evens out - I use my bike more than I watch tv.

[Crankin]

In fact, it has always amazed me how people with lower incomes will save and save for a vacation to Disney (which to me is a major rip off) and not consider another type of trip to do with their family.
I wish we had known more about touring when my kids were little, because I think they would have loved it.
Of course, most people, as said before, would not consider a cycling vacation, no matter what their income, because their idea of a vacation is to go to a resort, and lie around drinking frothy drinks, try out some hair braiding, and parasailing... I have seen enough of that in Bermuda, Aruba, and Puerto Vallarta. All of those places seemed the same, except for the nice historical trips we did in Puerta Vallarta. Even our vacations that aren't cycling tours include some active components, like walking, hiking, etc. My friends who don't ride think we are insane.

[shootingstar]

In fact, it has always amazed me how people with lower incomes will save and save for a vacation to Disney (which to me is a major rip off) and not consider another type of trip to do with their family.
I wish we had known more about touring when my kids were little, because I think they would have loved it.
Of course, most people, as said before, would not consider a cycling vacation, no matter what their income, because their idea of a vacation is to go to a resort, and lie around drinking frothy drinks, try out some hair braiding, and parasailing... I have seen enough of that in Bermuda, Aruba, and Puerto Vallarta. All of those places seemed the same, except for the nice historical trips we did in Puerta Vallarta. Even our vacations that aren't cycling tours include some active components, like walking, hiking, etc. My friends who don't ride think we are insane.

I guess people's idea of a fantasy environment might be different from ours. I only see myself doing nothing in a faraway place on vacation such in a resort...when I become frail, old /disabled that I can't be mobile.

My curiosity about new environments when I go on vacation, is great enough, that I must explore the place and see the local people.

I don't expect alot of people to want to cycle during their vacation, but at least make the effort to move around outside the confines of their hotel into the external society of the local area. Unless they physically sick.