What are the travel preferences of South African cyclists and mountain bikers? It’s a simple question that’s been asked often, but the answer is, not surprisingly, multi-layered. Club Med and TREAD teamed up to create a survey to find out more. During the month of September 2019, a total of 601 responded to our survey, each answering all 25 questions relating to both local and international travel.
In which province do you live?
| Gauteng | 56.57% |
| Limpopo | 1.33% |
| Mpumalanga | 1.50% |
| North West | 2.00% |
| Free State | 2.16% |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 11.65% |
| Northern Cape | 0.50% |
| Eastern Cape | 4.49% |
| Western Cape | 19.80% |
Not surprisingly, the significant majority of respondents were from Gauteng. This geographic spread isn’t too far off the general mountain bike market’s standard that’s shown in our previous surveys, with more than 50% in Gauteng.
How long have you been mountain biking/road cycling for?
| One year or less | 5.99% |
| 1-2 years | 5.49% |
| 2-3 years | 8.99% |
| 3-5 years | 14.64% |
| 5-10 years | 23.79% |
| 10 years or more | 41.10% |
This was an interesting response and it shows that riding bicycles, whether road or mountain bike, is part of the lifestyle of the majority of the respondents.
Which best describes you?
| Mountain biker | 54.08% |
| Road cyclist | 13.48% |
| I do both | 32.45% |
We expected mountain bikers to be in the majority, but were rather surprised at how many answered that they do both.
What level of mountain biker/road cyclist would you say you are?
| Very social | 4.33% |
| Recreational | 20.63% |
| Very keen | 51.08% |
| Highly committed | 23.96% |
Interesting to see this split, which indicates a highly engaged, passionate bunch of bicycle ride-loving respondents!
Which is most applicable to you?
| I am unemployed/a student | 3.99% |
| I am a stay-at-home parent/spouse | 2.33% |
| I work part time in one or more jobs | 3.49% |
| I have a full-time job with a salary | 65.22% |
| I own a business | 20.63% |
| I am retired | 4.33% |
A fifth of the respondents own a business – this was an interesting statistic…
Which is most applicable to you?
| I am single | 12.48% |
| I am in a relationship (not married) | 10.48% |
| I am in a relationship with children (under 13) | 2.33% |
| I am in a relationship with children (13 & over) | 1.66% |
| I am in a relationship with grown-up children | 2.16% |
| I am married | 14.48% |
| I am married with young children (under 13) | 21.63% |
| I am married with older children (13 & over) | 14.64% |
| I am married with grown-up children | 15.47% |
| I am divorced | 4.16% |
| I am widowed | 0.50% |
There’s a big family element showing in the responses, with 51.74% married with children (of varying ages). Couples also features strongly with 24.96% either in a relationship or married (with no children – yet).
What is your age category?
| 18-24 | 4.66% |
| 25-29 | 5.49% |
| 30-34 | 9.32% |
| 35-39 | 13.64% |
| 40-44 | 17.64% |
| 45-49 | 16.47% |
| 50-54 | 16.47% |
| 55-59 | 8.49% |
| 60-64 | 5.49% |
| 65-69 | 1.33% |
| 70 or older | 1.00% |
No real surprise that the majority (64.22%) of the traveller-cyclist market is aged between 35 and 55. Encouraging to see that 16.31% of the respondents are over 55.
What is your gender?
| Male | 82.86% |
| Female | 17.14% |
This is the gender split of those that took our survey – 498 men and 103 women. That’s quite a lot of travelling cyclists/mountain bikers giving an average of 6 minutes of their time to participate…
In terms of travelling, what best applies to you?
| I travel for leisure/holiday 4 or more times a year | 19.97% |
| I travel for leisure/holiday about 3 times a year | 22.30% |
| I travel for leisure/holiday about twice a year | 33.94% |
| I travel for leisure/holiday about once a year | 23.79% |
Interesting to the see frequency of travel/holiday patterns. Also encouraging that 42.27% take breaks three or more times a year – #lifegoals
Which leisure/travel pattern fits you best currently?
| I travel locally (in South Africa) only | 49.42% |
| I travel internationally only | 1.66% |
| I travel locally and internationally | 48.92% |
Over 50% travel internationally. This is a key statistic for Club Med, our travel survey partner as they don’t operate any holiday resorts in South Africa.
When you travel locally for leisure, is it?
| On my own | 6.99% |
| With my spouse/partner | 30.62% |
| With my spouse/partner and our children | 33.78% |
| With my spouse/partner and our children and friends | 11.15% |
| With my spouse/partner and our friends | 6.32% |
| With my friends | 8.15% |
| Other | 3.00% |
As expected, few like to travel alone. Couples and family getaways dominate local leisure travel preferences.
When you travel for leisure, locally or internationally, what is the main purpose of your stay?
| Sport | 13.14% |
| Destination | 7.49% |
| Cuisine | 0.33% |
| Discover the place | 16.47% |
| Experience new things | 24.79% |
| Wellness and health | 2.66% |
| Family time | 31.95% |
| You time | 3.16% |
Family and discovery feature strongly, both key areas of focus for Club Med, our travel survey partner.
When you travel for leisure, is it?
| Locally | Internationally | |
| Only to do a mountain bike/road cycling event | 2.00% | 1.83% |
| Mostly to do a mountain bike/road cycling event | 22.30% | 5.82% |
| Sometimes to do a mountain bike/road cycling event | 66.22% | 28.95% |
| Never to do a mountain bike/road cycling event | 9.48% | 63.39% |
Cycling events are clearly a strong motivator for local travel and a good reason regional tourism bodies should be supporting cycling event organisers.
What is your preferred method of booking a holiday?
| Travel agency | 6.66% |
| Do it yourself – direct with accommodation and service providers | 49.58% |
| Air BnB | 8.65% |
| Online | 35.11% |
Would you travel to Europe to ride (not race) mountain bikes/road bikes?
| No | 3.16% |
| Maybe | 24.79% |
| Yes | 72.05% |
While the percentage of international leisure travel for ‘never to do a mountain bike/road cycling event’ was high (63.39%), the interest in travelling internationally to ride (not race) bicycles is high.
If you have a spouse and/or children, would you take them with you to travel to Europe to ride (not race) mountain bikes/road bikes? Either together or you riding while your family enjoys leisure activities?
| No | 11.48% |
| Maybe, if they are sufficiently catered for with activities | 35.27% |
| Yes | 53.24% |
Since there wasn’t an option for ‘I don’t have a spouse/children’ we assume those would have answered ‘No’. A large segment would like to take their spouse/family along on a riding-themed trip in Europe.
If you would travel to Europe to ride bikes in the mountains, would you prefer to?
| Take my own bike | 52.25% |
| Hire a local bike, better suited to the terrain/gradients/trails in the mountains | 47.75% |
A relatively even split. With more and more holiday destinations investing in high-quality bicycle fleets for hire, the schlep of not having to take your own bike is becoming more appealing.
If you would travel to Europe to ride bikes in the mountains, would you prefer to?
| Follow a map and do my own rides | 13.48% |
| Ride with a local mountain bike/cycling guide | 18.80% |
| A combination of both | 67.72% |
There’s great value in having a local show you some of the best ‘non-popular’ riding roads and trails, but there’s also a wonderful sense of adventure and discovery when you’re not sure where a certain road or trail is going to take you. Getting lost is sometimes the best thing that can happen on a ride…
If you would travel to Europe to ride bikes in the mountains, what level of accommodation would you consider?
| Self-catering | 53.91% |
| A regular hotel | 18.97% |
| A family leisure holiday resort | 27.12% |
What type of package is most suitable to you?
| All inclusive | 37.94% |
| Half board | 30.28% |
| Pay as you go | 31.78% |
If you would travel to Europe to ride bikes in the mountains, how likely are you to consider riding a terrain-appropriate eBike there?
| Not likely | 47.25% |
| Quite likely | 35.11% |
| Very likely | 17.64% |
As the benefits of eBikes become more widely known, cyclists are understanding the value they offer, especially in mountainous terrain where you can discover so much more with pedal-assist on the ascents. They also allow families/friends of varying cycling abilities to enjoy the same riding experiences together.
If you were to travel to Europe to ride bikes in the mountains, would you like to ride your mountain bike/road bike in the company of a famous mountain biker/road cyclist who can help you discover more and share riding tips with you?
| Yes | 48.92% |
| Maybe | 42.43% |
| No | 8.65% |
Often, the company you spend time riding with can be the difference between a good ride and a great experience that you’ll never forget. Famous cyclists have some entertaining stories to tell as well as useful insight to help you improve your riding experience.
How much did you spend on your most recent trip?
| Local | International | |
| Less than R10000 | 35.27% | 10.48% |
| R10000-R15000 | 24.96% | 8.65% |
| R15000-R20000 | 13.64% | 7.82% |
| R20000-R25000 | 9.32% | 9.48% |
| R25000-R30000 | 6.49% | 10.98% |
| R30000-R35000 | 2.83% | 5.49% |
| R35000-R40000 | 2.16% | 6.82% |
| R45000-R50000 | 2.33% | 10.65% |
| R50000-R60000 | 1.16% | 8.65% |
| R60000-R70000 | 0.17% | 3.83% |
| R70000-R80000 | 0.83% | 5.32% |
| R80000-R90000 | 0.17% | 2.50% |
| R90000-R100000 | 0.17% | 3.33% |
| R100000-R125000 | 0.50% | 2.83% |
| R125000-R150000 | 0.00% | 1.33% |
| R150000 or more | 0.00% | 1.83% |
The TREAD crew spent some time at Club Med Panorama Les Arcs earlier this year. Here’s the account of their experience – COME MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE FRENCH ALPS THEY SAID. HOW COULD WE REFUSE?
