Adventure Cycling Association finished FY13 strongly, achieving all-time highs in membership and tour participation. It also completed research for its new Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route and began mapping its much anticipated long-distance route, Bicycle Route 66.
“Adventure Cycling continues to benefit from the surge of global interest in bicycle travel,” said Jim Sayer, executive director of the organization. “We are being asked by cities, states, and provinces all over North America how they can attract more bicycle tourism and we’re hearing from many businesses that want to get more involved in this thriving sector.”
Membership
This year, Adventure Cycling's total membership hit an all-time high with 46,724 members, maintaining its position as the largest cycling membership organization in North America. Overall, the program experienced a 3.3 percent growth rate, which caps a 19 percent growth rate in membership over the last decade. Membership renewals remained strong following a four-year trend of increases. Adventure Cycling also attracted 274 bike-shop members and 123 club memberships.
This year, Adventure Cycling's total membership hit an all-time high with 46,724 members, maintaining its position as the largest cycling membership organization in North America. Overall, the program experienced a 3.3 percent growth rate, which caps a 19 percent growth rate in membership over the last decade. Membership renewals remained strong following a four-year trend of increases. Adventure Cycling also attracted 274 bike-shop members and 123 club memberships.
Adventure Cycling Association's 46,724 members come from every state in the U.S. with the most members residing in California and the fewest in North Dakota, 1,636 live outside of U.S. with 55 countries represented. From Austria to the United Arab Emirates, with Luxembourg, Malaysia, Slovakia, and Malta in the mix, members reside and travel all around the globe.
The assocation added 14 corporate members, including Blackburn, Q-Outdoor, and Revelate Designs.
“We’ve continued to attract businesses that believe in Adventure Cycling’s mission and provide substantial support for bicycle-travel programs,” said Paul Hansbarger, membership and marketing coordinator. Popular benefits of corporate membership include generous advertising discounts in Adventure Cyclist magazine as well as exposure to membership and supporters through social media and targeted promotional mailings.
Sales
Adventure Cycling experienced another record-setting year in tour signups, offering more than 70 guided cycling tours. By the end of the season, 1,360 cyclists rode with Adventure Cycling on tour, a 6 percent increase in participation over 2012. The tours are unlike most offered on the travel market, with a mix of self-contained tours, supported trips, and educational courses.
After four record years in a row, Adventure Cycling saw map sales dip 2 percent in 2013, or twice the rate of decline for overall sales compared with fiscal 2012 levels. Over the last decade however, the organization’s map sales have grown 42 percent, with overall sales growing a whopping 80 percent.
Development
Charitable contributions, which totaled $662,094, also declined fter a record-breaking FY 2012, which included a special campaign to support the expansion of Adventure Cycling’s headquarters. Foundation funding increased nearly $55,000 over FY12, to $72,463, with renewed support from the Tawani Foundation, the Lazar Foundation, New Belgium Brewing, Climate Ride, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Stephen M. Seay Foundation. Members gave an impressive $149,448 to meet an $86,000 match challenge during the organization’s holiday campaign. Members, major donors, and businesses gave $128,346 during the U.S. Bicycle Route System campaign in May 2013, also National Bicycle Month.
Charitable contributions, which totaled $662,094, also declined fter a record-breaking FY 2012, which included a special campaign to support the expansion of Adventure Cycling’s headquarters. Foundation funding increased nearly $55,000 over FY12, to $72,463, with renewed support from the Tawani Foundation, the Lazar Foundation, New Belgium Brewing, Climate Ride, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Stephen M. Seay Foundation. Members gave an impressive $149,448 to meet an $86,000 match challenge during the organization’s holiday campaign. Members, major donors, and businesses gave $128,346 during the U.S. Bicycle Route System campaign in May 2013, also National Bicycle Month.
