Bicycle Trips & Touring Survey 2026

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This survey is conducted by Philly Bike Expo in partnership with our sister company Bike Travel as part of our research into bicycle touring vacation preferences. The survey will remain open until midnight ET, May 24.

There are 29 questions. In testing, we've found it takes 6-12 minutes to complete all sections. We are really grateful for your responses, and along with our generous partners Velocity USA, Handlestash, and Public Lands, we have put together a sweepstake with prizes to express our gratitude.

If you would like to enter our survey sweepstake you will find the link at the end of the form. In order to keep the survey data anonymous it's a fully separate form. Sweepstake prizewinners will be notified by email on May 29.

The Sweepstake prizes and values are:
Velocity USA - Wheelset up to $1,000
Handlestash - Insulated Stem Bag of your choosing - $65

Redshift Sports - Mousetrap Pedal Adapters - $59
Public Lands - Ride entry - $70 (long course)
PBE prize pack - $100 (lots of cool PBE branded swag)
PBE Comp Entry - 2-Day pass x 5, each valued at $35

Section 1A — Trip History and Intent

Q1. How many multi-day bicycle trips (2+ nights away from home) have you taken in the past 3 years? *

None

1–2 trips

3–5 trips

6 or more trips

Q2. What was the longest single bike trip you have taken? *

If none, skip to Q3.

1–3 days

4–7 days

8–14 days

15 days or more

I have not taken a multi-day bike trip yet

Q3. Do you plan to take a multi-day bicycle trip in the next 12 months? *

Yes, already booked

Yes, actively planning

Maybe — I’m considering it

No — not in the next 12 months

Q4. How many multi-day bike trips do you typically aim to take per year going forward? *

This would be my first

Less than 1 per year

1 per year

2–3 per year

4 or more per year

Section 1B — Trip Style and Booking

Q5. Which best describes your preferred trip style? (Select all that apply) *

Fully independent — I plan routes, book accommodation, and arrange all logistics myself

Self-guided package — accommodation and luggage transfer pre-arranged, I ride at my own pace (e.g. companies like VBT, Backroads self-guided)

Guided group tour — shared itinerary, group departure, tour leader included

Bikepacking / fully self-supported — camping, carrying all my own gear

Combination — I mix approaches depending on the trip

Other:

Required

Q6. Would a pre-arranged self-guided package — accommodations booked, luggage transferred between stops, route provided, ride at your own pace — appeal to you for a future trip? *

Yes, very much — I’d actively look for this

Possibly — depends on the destination and price

Unlikely — I prefer to plan my own trips

No — I prefer fully self-supported or guided group travel

Q7. How far in advance do you typically plan or book a multi-day bike trip? *

Last minute (under 4 weeks)

1–3 months ahead

3–6 months ahead

6–12 months ahead

More than 12 months ahead

Q8. Where do you primarily find information when planning a bike trip? (Select up to 3) *

Please select no more than three.

Adventure Cycling Association routes and maps

Komoot, Strava, or RideWithGPS

Cycling-specific travel websites or portals

Tourism board websites

Local or regional bike shops

Cycling clubs or organized groups

Social media and online communities

Word of mouth from other cyclists

Travel agents or tour operators

Events such as Philly Bike Expo?

Other:

Required

Q9. How influential are each of the following when you are choosing where to take a bike trip? *

1 = Not at all influential · 5 = Very influential

YouTube videos

Written travel articles and guides

Short-form video (Instagram Reels, TikTok)

Podcasts

Recommendations from other cyclists

Tourism board or destination websites

Print magazines

Event booths & seminars

Section 1C — Destination and Route Preferences

Q10. What terrain do you prefer for multi-day trips? (Select your top 2) *

Please select no more than two.

Paved road / road cycling

Gravel and mixed surface

Rail trail / towpath

Mountain / singletrack

No preference — varies by trip

Other:

Required

Q11. How far are you willing to travel from home to reach your trip starting point, or travel home from the destination? *

Under 2 hours by car or bus

2–4 hours by car or bus

4+ hours by car or bus

Willing to fly domestically

Willing to fly internationally

Willing to take train

Other:

Required

Q12. In which seasons are you most likely to take a multi-day bike trip? (Select all that apply) *

Early spring (March–April)

Late spring/early summer (May–June)

Mid-summer (July–August)

Late summer/early fall (September–October)

Late fall (November)

Winter (December–February)

Required

Q13. Which of the following regions interest you most for future bike travel? (Select all that apply) *

Pennsylvania

Other Mid-Atlantic (DE, MD, NJ, VA, WV)

New England

Southeast US

Midwest US

Mountain West / Southwest US

Pacific Northwest

Caribbean - Jamaica

Caribbean - Other Islands

Canada

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Other:

Required

Q14. Are you familiar with any of the following routes — and what is your status with each? *

Never heard of it

Aware but haven’t ridden

On my bucket list

Have ridden it

Have ridden, would return

D&L Trail (Delaware & Lehigh, PA)

East Coast Greenway

C&O Canal Towpath (MD/DC)

Erie to Pittsburgh Trail

Empire State Trail (NY)

Great Allegheny Passage

Section 1D — Spending and Accommodation

Q15. What is your typical daily spending per person on a bike trip, excluding travel to and from your destination? *

Include accommodation, food, and incidentals.

Under $75

$75–$125

$125–$200

$200–$300

Over $300

Q16. What accommodation do you prefer on multi-day bike trips? (Select your top 2) *

Please select no more than two.

Camping / primitive sites

Hostels or budget lodging

Mid-range hotels or B&Bs

Boutique or upscale hotels

Airbnb or short-term rental

Bike-specific lodging (bike hotels, cyclist-friendly inns)

Mix — whatever is available on the route

Other:

Required

Q17. Would you pay a premium to stay at a bike-friendly property that offers secure overnight storage, a wash-down station, repair tools, and an early breakfast? *

Yes — this would strongly influence my choice of lodging

Yes — as long as the premium is reasonable (under 20% more)

Maybe — depends on the overall trip cost

No — accommodation is accommodation; I just need a bed

Section 1E — Travel Logistics

Q18. How do you typically transport your bike when traveling? (Select all that apply) *

Drive with a bike rack or bike in the car

Fly with my bike in a travel case or box

Ship my bike ahead via a service (BikeFlights, ShipBikes, etc.)

Rent a bike at the destination

Use bikeshare at the destination

My trips are based from home — I ride from my door

Other:

Required

Q19. What are the biggest obstacles preventing you from taking more multi-day bike trips? (Select up to 3) *

Please select no more than three.

Cost of travel and accommodation

Time — not enough vacation days

Difficulty/inconvenience transporting my bike

Mechanical disassembly and re-assembly of my bike

Finding suitable routes with good information

Finding bike-friendly accommodation along the route

Safety concerns on roads or trails

No one to travel with

Physical fitness or health

Family or work commitments

Nothing — I take as many trips as I want

Other:

Required

Section 1F — Philadelphia and Regional Opportunities

Q20. Have you ever taken a multi-day bike trip in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland? *

Yes, multiple times

Yes, once

No, but I’m interested

No, and it is not currently on my radar

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