BIKE USAGE AND CYCLE TOURISM: THE PATTERN OF PORTUGUESE ASSOCIATED BIKE RIDERS

• Author(s): Neves, Joana Maria de Oliveira; Lusophone University of Humanities and Technology of Lisbon ; Esperança, José Paulo; ISCTE-Business School, Lisbon
• Date: 2012
• Origin: Tourism & Management Studies
• Subject(s): Cycle Tourist; Sustainable Tourism; Portugal; Pattern of Bike Riders; ; Cycle Tourist; Sustainable Tourism; Portugal; Pattern of Bike Riders
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Cycling and other forms of sustainable tourism are expanding fast due to the rise of health and environmental concerns of many tourists. Although more conventional operators and students of the tourism industry still regard these groups as members of budget conscious back pack travellers, there is a growing awareness that this view may be misplaced.This study is the first comprehensive analysis and profiling of regular bike users. We use the data base of FPCUB, the Portuguese leisure and transport cycling federation to assess age, gender, residence location and professional pattern of bike users. Our results confirm that the typical biker is a male, in his mid-40s and of middle or high income. Cycling and other forms of sustainable tourism are expanding fast due to the rise of health and environmental concerns of many tourists. Although more conventional operators and students of the tourism industry still regard these groups as members of budget conscious back pack travellers, there is a growing awareness that this view may be misplaced.This study is the first comprehensive analysis and profiling of regular bike users. We use the data base of FPCUB, the Portuguese leisure and transport cycling federation to assess age, gender, residence location and professional pattern of bike users. Our results confirm that the typical biker is a male, in his mid-40s and of middle or high income.