Everyone knows that bicycling is a fun pastime that is good for your mental and physical health. However, not many people know that there is a rich history full of interesting fun facts about bicycles!

Cycling is a centuries-old activity that is beloved by people around the world. Even if you live in a fast-paced city like New York, there are plenty of opportunities to hop on a bike and hit the road on a new adventure. 

Don’t own a bike? No problem! Bicycle rental places like Fancy Apple have plenty of cycling options to choose from based on your interests. 

Many people think they just need to know about cycling safety before they hop on a bike, but that’s not the case. Having a few fun facts about bikes in your back pocket can be pretty helpful, too! 

Here are 30 of the most interesting bicycle fun facts to share with family, friends, and fellow bikers before your next adventure.

Fun Facts About Biking You Didn’t Know

  1. The first commercially available bicycles were created in France in the 1860s. However, the modern design we know today was created in England. 
  1. About 100 million bicycles are manufactured worldwide each year. 
  1. Currently, it’s estimated that there are over 1 billion bicycles in use all around the world!
  1. The first commercially sold bicycle was nicknamed “Boneshaker” because its rigid frame and lack of springs made bike rides a “bone-shaking” experience. It weighed 80 kg and was first sold in 1868 in Paris.
  1. 5% of all trips in the United Kingdom are made with bicycles. In the Netherlands, a staggering 30% of trips are made via bike. However, less than 1% of all trips in the United States are made by cycling. 
  1. The word “bicycle” comes from the French word “bicyclette”. Before this name, bicycles were known as “velocipedes.”
  1. The fastest recorded speed of a human riding a bike is 183.9mph. The record was set by Denise Mueller-Korenek in 2018. 
  1. Bicycles are great for the planet. They save upwards of 238 million gallons of gas every year!
  1. The yearly cost of maintenance for a bicycle is 20 times cheaper than for a single car.
  1. There are twice as many bicycles in the world than cars. 
fun facts about biking
  1. Studies have proven that cycling is great for your health. It is one of the best pastimes for people who want to reduce the risk of having heart disease and stroke.
  1. The longest tandem bicycle on record seats 35 people and is 67 feet long! Despite this groundbreaking record, the most popular tandem bike configuration is a two-seater. Tandem bikes are a popular option when it comes to bike rentals!  
  1. Over 90% of all bike trips are shorter than 9.3 miles.
  1. There are over 400 active cycling clubs in the United States.
  1. A study in England found that cycling can make you feel 10 years younger! Bicyclists also have a two-year higher life expectancy when compared to the average person.
  1. The average New York City bike commute takes around 35 minutes. It can be much faster than riding the subway!
  1. 10% of the workforce in New York City commutes by bike.
  1.  Move aside, NYC. 40% of Amsterdam’s commuters use bikes to get to work.
  1. Here’s some sobering cycling safety information. If we tripled the number of cyclists on the road, the rate of motorist-bicyclist accidents would decrease by 50%. 
  1. About 15 bikes can fit in the same area of a single car. That sure saves a lot of parking space!
  1. Each year the world produces 2.5 times more bikes than automobiles.
  1. The country with the most cycling enthusiasts is Denmark. In 2016, the number of bikes outnumbered the number of cars in Copenhagen for the first time ever. In fact, 36% of Copenhagen’s workforce commutes by bike. 
  1. If you need more cycling fun facts about Copenhagen, look no further. Bikes can be rented for free throughout the city. The program is so successful that only 27% of residents drive cars!
  1. According to Statista, between 2020 and 2021, the amount of money spent on bicycles and accessories grew from $6 billion to $8.2 billion. That’s a huge leap in the span of only one year! 
  1. Riding a bike can help you save up to $1,200 a year on a gym membership. To put it in perspective, an average gym membership in the US costs between $30 and $100 a month!
  1. More proof that biking is good for you! Data shows that Barcelona’s bike rental program provides health benefits that outweigh the risks 77:1.
  1. A US study revealed that a simple 1% increase in the length of bike lanes can lead to a 0.31% increase of people riding their bikes to work. More accessible bike lanes mean less automotive traffic!
  1. The most famous bicycle race in the world is the Tour de France, which was established in 1903. Cyclists from all over the world take part in this three-week event that finishes in Paris. It’s considered the world’s most prestigious bicycle race. 
  1. According to Cyclist, 400,000 bikes in the UK are stolen each year. That translates to about 1,100 bikes a day, or two bikes every three minutes. Another cycling fun fact: That’s a lot more than in the US! 
  1. Here’s the last of our fun facts about cycling. 25% of US cyclists ride mountain bikes, making it the most popular type of bike in the country. That’s closely followed by hybrid bikes at 24%.

Cycle a Bike with Fancy Apple

If these fun facts about bicycles have inspired you to plan a new adventure, let NYC’s very own Fancy Apple take care of all your bicycle rental needs. 

Here at Fancy Apple, we have everything you need to gear up for your next bike ride. From electric bike rentals to two-seater tandems, there’s plenty of options to choose from based on your interests. 
Whether you want to plan a quick tour through Central Park on an electric bike or a day-long outing with the family, Fancy Apple has it all. Check out our extensive bike rental options and plan your next Central Park day trip now!