When the Adventure Cycling Association convened its local members in Seattle last year, at left, I had no idea we were part of the largest bicycling organization in the US.
But the nonprofit created to chart a cross-country bicycle route to celebrate the nation's bicentennial in 1976 has grown to 44,000 individual members who benefit from its mapping, tour hosting and bicycle transportation advocacy roles.
The Missoula, Montana-based nonprofit announced its results for the past year and past decade on Tuesday. During the past 10 years, membership has grown 19%, map sales are up 48% and its annual budget has soared to $4.1 million, a 65% increase from the beginning of the decade.
More interest
To me, these are all hopeful indicators that more and more people are opting for bicycles to vacation and travel. The growth also enables Adventure Cycling to create a bigger buzz about bicycle transportation.
“Adventure Cycling is growing in nearly every way possible, and it's helping us grow awareness and support for bicycle travel throughout North America,” says executive director Jim Sayer.
USBR
One of the biggest tasks undertaken by the association this past decade has been bird-dogging the establishment of the US Bicycle Route. The 50,000-mile network of signed bicycle routes criss-crossing the nation is being handled on a state-by-state basis, but coordinated by the association's Ginny Sullivan.
Some highlights of the Adventure Cycling annual report:
Maps
Adventure Cycling maps now comprise a 40,000-mile network of bike-friendly roads. While sales grew 2.2% in the past year — that's a total 32,400 maps, growth for the decade was 48%. Meanwhile, the mapping section is continuing work on its next long-distance bicycle route — the iconic Route 66.
Membership
Although membership fell 2.7% in the past year, it grew 19% during the decade. The 44,000-some members come for all 50 states; California has the most and North Dakota the fewest. The group has members from 52 different countries, as well.
The association keeps bicyclists up-to-date on the touring scene through its magazine, “Adventure Cyclist,” its website, its blog, and social media outlets on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.
Donations
The nonprofit saw a rise in charitable donations in the past year by 23% among individuals and 27% among foundations. In the past decade, charitable contributions tripled.
Tours
Adventure Cycling offered 43 guided tours in 2011; next year it's 56. Although participation declined slightly in 2011 (960 cyclists took tours), the number of tours and revenue doubled since the beginning of the decade.
The group's supported and unsupported point-to-point and loop tours can be found at the Adventure Cycling Association tour website.
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