The bicyclist sample cared enough about bicycling in the Adirondack region (92% have already visited the area and 62% have already bicycled it) to take the time to answer in hopes that bicycling opportunities in the region will be enhanced. Of the 236 bicycle tourers surveyed 77, or 33%, responded. Of the 180 non-bicycling visitors 19 (11%) responded. Due to the low response rate for the non-bicycling visitors, their responses are grouped with those of the bicyclists. In general, despite the average-to-low response rates for mail- out surveys, the tendency for the lodging survey results to confirm similar items in the bicyclist survey, and the agreement of the bicyclist survey results with other bicycling surveys, strengthens both the results and recommendations.
It should be noted that most of the bicyclists responding to this survey were selected from mailing lists of touring companies in the area. Therefore the results generally reflect the views of those who might prefer group bicycle tours, as opposed to those who prefer planning and executing a bicycle trip on their own. Future bicycle survey efforts should target bicycle vacationers in general. Additionally, since the selection of bicyclists was non-random in terms of the population of all bicyclists, the findings are not statistically significant.
Results of the bicyclist survey show that the mean age of bicyclists is 45 years, 2/3's of the respondents were male, and their households had a mean income in the $60,000 to $69,999 range. Seventy percent of the bicyclists reside in New York, with an average six hour drive to the Adirondack North Country Region. It appears that this sample is very capable of visiting this region for the weekend or longer, as well as financially able to enjoy it.
Highlights from the questionnaire show that 98% respondents own a bicycle, primarily of the touring bicycle type (52%), followed by racing road bikes (43%). A significant proportion (49%) own either a mountain bike or hybrid bicycle. The group responding to this survey classified themselves primarily as touring cyclists (92%), rather than mountain bikers.
Over 3/4's of the respondents (84%) reported that they usually ride on paved roads without a bicycle lane, although at least a third prefer paved roads with a stripped bicycle lane. About 1/4 (27%) prefer dedicated bicycle lanes, while another 27% prefer paved roads without a bicycle lane.
In terms of how long and how far these bicyclists ride, this group is comprised of active cyclists, reporting many rides in the past year (1993) and visiting an average of 11 different bicycling areas. The average number of recreational rides of 1/2 day or less last year was 43, with 86% of the rides averaging between 1 to 6 hours. When asked what length of ride they prefer, a little more than one third (37%) said they prefer 1/2 day rides, another third prefer longer tours of 3 or more days.
Information on the average distance usually ridden in a day is especially of interest to lodging owners and tourism promoters because it indicates the optimal length for bicycle loops and day tours, and has implications for bicycle mapping. When asked about the average ride in a single day, distances ranged from 3 to 100 miles. The average distance varied from 30 to 39 miles, with a mean of 39 miles, a median of 35 miles, and a mode of 30 miles. A conclusion is that the length of loops and day-rides should be 40 miles at the most, and more generally in the 30 to 35 mile range. By way of comparison, the average mountain bike ride is about 15 miles (Hollenhorst et al. 1993).
Although the majority in this group prefer to take day trips, many do enjoy multi-day tours. Close to 2/3s (63%) have toured by bicycle for three or more days, traveling from campground to campground or lodge to lodge. Considering the planning involved in a multi-day ride, logistics are critical to the riders. Not surprisingly, 47% prefer the aid of a good bicycle map of the area for trip planning. Preferred areas where the bicyclists like to go include New England, Vermont, and the Adirondack North Country region. Specific reasons as to why this sample prefers these areas were varied, although they can be categorized into a few main attributes: scenery, low traffic, varied terrain, good roads, small towns, and people. A key finding here, and one advantageous to the North Country, is that most bicyclists like a "varied" terrain, rather than a flat terrain as might be expected. In fact, a "challenging" terrain is favored by many bicyclists. An additionally favorable factor in the Adirondack and Tug Hill portions of the North Country is a relatively low average wind speed. The mountains and forests tend to block the wind, greatly reducing the potential for strong headwinds.
Bicyclists responded to several questionnaire items assessing group size, length of trip, and expenditures during the respondents' last bicycle trip. The average bicycle group size is 5 people, based on the median value for all groups. The mean group size is 13 people, however, respondents from a large group of 600 people, and another of 200, likely influenced the mean upward.
Length of trip in days ranged from one day to two weeks, with an averaging bicycle trip of five days. The mean distance traveled was 250 miles, while the median was 137 miles, for an average distance traveled per day of 27 to 50 miles. This corresponds with the average length of ride reported on earlier, 30 to 39 miles. These findings confirm that B&Bs and other lodgings involved in organizing lodge-to-lodge tours should plan bicycle routes of 40 miles or less to appeal to the widest possible clientele.
Expenditures averaged $45 per person/per day (PP/PD) for the entire group of respondents. In examining the expenditures by group size, we selected three size categories: 1-5 people, 6-50 people, and 51 people or more. Average total expenditures for a group of 1-5 people was $52 (PP/PD), 6-50 people was $48 (PP/PD) and for groups of 51 or more $9 (PP/PD). Table 4-2 lists average expenditures on selected categories for each group.
The expenditure figures for the largest groups are relatively low for a couple of reasons. One is that they are traveling long distances and are not participating in other recreation and shopping activities. Another is that they are staying in campgrounds or dormitories almost exclusively, and so are receiving lower group rates.
On the other hand, the expenditures by the smaller groups are similar to that found in other bicycle touring studies, with the exception of data on Vermont touring companies (Burgess 1992). It could be that having local bicycle touring companies helping to market the area, as in the case of Vermont, leads to higher expenditures by the bicycling tourist. For example, the local touring company would be more involved in bicycle rentals, and the rental and sale of bicycle touring accessories. They would also be better able to promote some of the local attractions, shops, and restaurants to the visiting bicyclist. The result is higher expenditures and a more favorable impact on local communities. As the touring situation now stands, many of the bicycle tours led through the Adirondack North Country Region are led by companies located outside the region. This is obviously not the most favorable situation in terms of local economies and dollars staying within the region.
The study team used the bicyclist survey effort to gather some general travel information about bicyclists' vacations or recreational trips of two or more nights taken in the last three years. The inquiry focused on preferred attractions, activities, lodging types, and sources of information. Some of the key findings are presented in Table 4-3, while complete bicyclist survey findings are in the Bicycle Master Plan Appendices, attached.
On a scale of "Very Important" to "Not at all Important", attributes that were most influential in deciding where to take a bicycle vacation include the presence of: rural areas, lakes and streams, lodging, wilderness areas, restaurants, and historic sites or parks. The attribute of their favorite bicycling area mentioned most frequently was "scenery". It seems clear that the major preferences of bicyclists include nature, history, and culture, all found in abundance in the Adirondack North Country region.
Data on information sources for these respondents reveals that by and large word of mouth is the most influential for trip decision making (59%), followed by previous visit to the area (51%). Significantly, the third most influential item among the list of 14 items is "bicycle maps of the area". The quality of the bicycling map is another key component of trip decision making because the findings show that 78% find the map quality as very influential or somewhat influential.
Since 92% of this sample consisted of repeat visitors, the following information on attributes of the Adirondack North Country region is based on past experience. Ninety percent perceive the region to be associated with beautiful scenery, while 86% think of lakes, 84% mountains, 70% quiet roads, and 68% associate the region with rivers. Perceptions of the region are thus largely based on the natural environment. These are the qualities the region should capitalize on in all promotional strategies.
With 62% having bicycled in this region before, their ratings of North Country bicycling attributes is based on experience. Table 5-5 lists the ratings on some of the key bicycling attributes. Rated good to excellent is the overall enjoyment of bicycling in the region, demonstrating that the development of a premier bicycling area is certainly feasible. In addition, over 50% indicated that it is very likely they will visit the area to bicycle during the next year or two.
Yet there are improvements to be made, mainly in the area of maps and signage, with both showing up in the "average to poor" and "not sure" categories in Table 4-4. This finding supports the recommendations of this plan for bicycle mapping at the regional and sub-regional level, and the coordination of a bicycle signage system. There is also evidently a need for advertising and promoting the fairly recent trend in constructing wider shoulders on State highways, since a large percentage respondents rated the size of road shoulders as average to poor.
Respondents in this sample are very active and prefer numerous types of recreational opportunities while on vacation, in addition to bicycling. The most sought after activities during a bicycle trip, according to reported participation levels are: visiting historic sites and museums, swimming, day hiking, and shopping. The strong interest in historic sites and museums is especially significant for those lodging establishments in the vicinity of historic attractions, and they should be prominently featured in promotions.