female cyclist survey 3...female cyclist survey 3 executive summary in order to fully characterize...

Female Cyclist Survey 3

Executive Summary

In order to fully characterize the current and potential female membership of USA Cycling, this study was commissioned to design and analyze a 2013 survey of that population, and present findings and recommendations in this summary report. The primary data used were generated through an updated survey of female cyclists, both USA Cycling members and non-members that was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. The survey instrument included 55 items in eight categories:

a. socio-demographics (9 items) b. participation history (20 items) c. motivations (11 items) d. participation constraints (6 items) e. event preferences (9 items)

A total of 4046 questionnaires were started and 2872 (71%) were completed and useable for data analyses.

The overall analysis of these surveys’ data focused on three main areas: (I) the level of female participation in recreational and racing activities, (II) the preferences of female participants and favored characteristics and constraints of events, and (III) the reasons for joining/not joining/renewing USA Cycling membership. The following describes some of the notable findings for each area of concern: (I) Participation. The participant related questions yielded the following key findings:

· 72% of the respondents indicated that they were members of a cycling club

· 57% of the respondents indicated that they participate in cycling races and 69% indicated that they participate in recreational events (36% do both, 10% neither).

· In terms of inspiration to begin participating in events, “Friends” was the dominant source cited by respondents for both Recreational (35%), and Racing (29%) participants. However, when considering initial participation in the sport (Recreation), many individuals still reported “starting on their own” (22.8%).

· About 1/3 of the respondents to the questionnaire indicated that they don’t currently race

· Of all the respondents, the most cited primary discipline was Road (63%), followed by MTB (16%) and Cyclo-cross (9%). The most common open response was commuting/transportation (~1.5%)

(II) Preferences/Favorites/Constraints. In terms of event participation preferences, respondents indicated these in several ways. ATTRACTIONS:

· For both racing and recreational events, personal accomplishment was rated highest in attractiveness for participation. Fitness benefits, and social interaction rated highly compared to other factors

· Understandably, in terms of attractiveness, prizes and formal competition were rated as less attractive for recreational events compared to races, and scenery/exploration were rated as more attractive for recreational events. FEATURES OF FAVORITE EVENTS:

· When respondents recalled their favorite events, for both racing and recreational events, atmosphere, course, friends, and length of the event, were rated in the top four reasons for why the event was their favorite.

· In contrast to the favorite recreational events, the favorite racing events also emphasized participation levels in general, i.e. amount of other women there, amount of people there overall, categories offered, and field size all rated highly in terms of importance.


PARTICIPATION CONSTRAINTS:

· In terms of constraints to participating in racing events, the reasons were relatively dispersed with the most common primary reason being not enough time (21%). The only other reasons exceeding 15% were related to “first timer” constraints, i.e. do not know how to get started, and no beginner level races.

· For participants who indicated that they participate in fewer races than they used to, time was again one of the top constraints, while job/employment commitment, injury, and family obligations also rated highly (25%+) in terms of primary reasons for competing less.

· When choosing the constraints that respondents believe discourage women from participating in general, job/employment commitment, time, and family commitments again reccur at the top of the list, with cost dominating them all. Attendance/access factors were often cited as well, e.g. races combined with other ages/categories, and lack of other women racing in my category.

· One difficulty that has become clear through this constraint analysis is that the female contingent of cycling participation is extremely diverse and complex in terms of participation constraints.

(III) Membership.

· The number of respondents holding a USA Cycling license was 72%, while 10% were

unrenewed members, and 11% had never been a member.

· Of the reasons (primary and secondary) for not renewing their license, they were

dominated by budgetary or leisure time contraints (5), The most common reason cited

outside of this general category was lack of other females in my category or age

group followed by injury, no races close to where I live, and lack of races that

include my category.

· In terms of continued membership and racing participation in future years, many design

elements of the events, i.e. course, proximity, categories, race length, safety ranked

highest in importance, while the disposition of competitors, ‘friendly women to race

against’ was similar or equal rival to these top reasons.

Further description of the data collection, results, and charts follow. An appendix includes complete open responses.

Contact Please direct any questions, concerns or inquiries to: Dr. Daniel Larson [email protected] Phone: (352)262-7601


Report for 2013 USA Cycling Female Cyclist Analysis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE USA Cycling membership has enjoyed robust and steady growth in its membership and license holder numbers over several recent years. However, the female contingent of the membership has remained low (~14%) relative to the U.S. population at large. In order to most effectively serve this segment of the population and to develop potential new members, we seek to fully characterize the motivations for participating in cycling events/races, preferences for continued participation, and motivations for joining and renewing USA Cycling membership among this group. This analysis focuses on female cyclist demographic characteristics, their history of cycling participation, their motivations for cycling event participation and/or joining USA Cycling, and their preferences with regard to event experiences.

DATA

The data for this report were obtained from a membership survey conducted in late 2013. Previous overall membership data (2013) are occasionally used for comparison. Internet collection As with any questionnaire that samples using internet collection techniques, there is always the potential for selection bias from two main sources, non-responders, and members of the population of interest (overall membership) being systematically excluded from the sample. The non-responders would be individuals receiving the survey solicitation and choosing not to participate. The individuals excluded from the sample would be those members who may not have internet access, or an email address not included in the member database. If either of these classes of individuals had significant differences in the measured constructs, there would clearly be a bias present in the sample. However, although the data were collected via a web linked questionnaire and these concerns do exist, we feel fairly confident that there will be limited bias in the following examined constructs. It is difficult to argue that many of the variables listed in this questionnaire would be subject to severe bias (or differences) across responders and non-responders. Where this may be a concern, it is discussed in the report. A future inquiry could include a snail-mail version to sample some non-internet users to statistically establish that there are no significant differences or resulting bias. Responses In terms of responses to individual items, this does vary throughout this questionnaire. This can arise either through incomplete/abandoned questionnaires, or through conscious non-response. While several questionnaire items required responses, other items that might be viewed as sensitive information (e.g. race/ethnicity) allowed for non-response. Additionally, some questions were only posed to a subset of the respondents, e.g. cyclists who indicated they currently race, or cyclist who have never been a USA Cycling member.Therefore, the responses to individual questions in this study ranged from just about 200 to 3738 (100%) completion. 4046 questionnaires were started and 2872 (71% completion) questionnaires were fully completed. Wherever possible, variations in the response rates are noted. Further item analysis could be conducted in the future to guard against any individual item bias OR the possibility that respondents abandoned the survey because of its length.


DEMOGRAPHICS

Medain Age Range: 35-39 years old(Average age not calculated due to categorical nature of question)

3% 5%

18%

15% 14% 14%

12% 10%

6%

2% 1% 0% 0% 0%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

Age Categories

44%

30%

16%

8%

1% 1%

Marital status (N = 3401)

Married sharing household

Single (including divorced)

Significant other sharing

household (not married)

Significant other without shared

household (not married)

Married but separated

Other


77.0%

10.5% 8.9% 2.5% 0.8% 0.2%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

0 1 2 3 4 5 or more

% o

f R

esp

on

de

nts

Number of Children Mean = 0.4 (N = 3398)

White/Caucasian

89%

Hispanic/Latino

3%

Asian

3%

American

Indian/Native

American

1%

Black/African

American

1%

Pacific Islander

0% Other

3%

Race/Ethnicity of respondents (N = 3398)


PARTICIPATION

Yes, Mixed Gender

56% Yes, All Female

16%

No

28%

Club Membership

(N = 3398)

None

10%

Recreation Only

33% Recreation and

Racing

36%

Racing Only

21%

Women's Event Participation Type (N= 3435)


No

33%

Yes

67%

Respondents who currently race (N = 2893)

Road, 63.3%

MTB, 15.9%

Cyclo-Cross,

8.8%

Track, 3.5% BMX, 0.3%

None of the

above, I am a

triathlete, 5.0%

Other, 3.2%

Primary discipline


18

.6%

15

.6%

6.1

%

5.5

%

5.0

%

0.9

%

0.0

%

18

.2%

22

.8%

6.7

%

5.5

%

7.4

%

1.1

%

2.5

%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Started with

friends

Started on

my own

Started with

spouse

Started with

significant

other

Started with

family

Started with

coworkers

Other (please

specify)

How did you begin participating in bicycle

RACING/RECRATIONAL Cycling? (N = 3735)

Racing

Recration

34.9%

28.5%

7.7% 7.0% 6.7% 6.6% 5.4% 1.8% 1.3% 1.1% 0.3%

10.1%

0% 5%

10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Which of the following inspired you to begin

participating in recreational/racing EVENTS? (N = 3735)

RECREATIONAL

RACING


PREFERENCES

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

%o

f R

esp

on

de

nts

What attracts you to participate in

RECREATIONAL bicycling events? (N = 1763)

Most attractive

Somewhat attractive

Not attractive

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

100%

% o

f R

esp

on

de

nts

What attracts you to participate in bicycle

RACING events? (N = 1822)

Most attractive

Somewhat attractive

Not attractive


0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%

Other

Prizes

Travel cost

Registration cost

Race director

Amount of other women there

Family friendly

The amount of people there overall

History of the event

Charitable cause

Safety

Proximity to home

Length of event

My friends participate

Course

Atmosphere

Aspects of my favorite RECREATIONAL event. (N = 1771)

Most important reason(s) why it is my favorite Contributes to why it is my favorite

Not a factor OR a negative factor


0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Other

Mentored races

Charitable cause

Registration cost

Can race twice in one day

Travel cost

Race director

Prizes

Age groups offered

History of the event

Family friendly

Safety

Field size

Proximity to home

Categories offered

The amount of people there overall

Amount of other women there

My friends participate

Length of race

Course

Atmosphere

Aspects of my favorite RACING event. (N = 1691)

Most important reason(s) why it is my favorite Contributes to why it is my favorite

Not a factor OR a negative factor


0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Other (please specify)

I was injured racing and don't feel comfortable …

I'm currently injured

Lack of female competitors in my category

Lack of female competitors in my age group

No races close enough to me

Attitudes of other female competitors

Cost of race travel

Attitudes of other male participants

Cost of racing license

I consider racing too dangerous

Cost of registration fees

Family commitments

Do not know anyone who races

I am not a competitive person

No beginner level races

Do not know how to get started

Not enough time

I only participate in cycling for other purposes …

Reasons for NOT participating in RACING events. (N = 948)

The most important reason (s) Important, but not one of the most important


15.5%

2.4%

4.5%

6.1%

6.6%

7.6%

11.5%

17.6%

18.1%

18.3%

19.7%

21.0%

21.2%

24.6%

25.4%

28.8%

34.4%

1.6%

10.3%

12.3%

16.3%

20.4%

20.7%

18.3%

18.3%

15.7%

25.2%

20.5%

39.3%

29.6%

22.5%

16.2%

33.4%

23.6%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Other

Race director

Prizes

Length of races

Course

Other women racers

Safety

Lack of other women racing my age group

Lack of my age group offered at races

Lack of other women racing in my category

Lack of my category offered at races

Travel

Cost of races

Family commitments

Injury

Time

Job/employment commitments

Reasons for participating in races less than I used to. (N = 619)

Primary reason Secondary reason


11.6%

1.5%

4.7%

5.1%

8.5%

8.7%

10.6%

12.3%

13.0%

13.5%

16.4%

23.9%

24.1%

24.9%

26.2%

28.2%

33.4%

34.4%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Other

Race director

Course

Length of races

Prizes

Other women racers

Age group not offered

Injury

Lack of other women racing in my age group

Category not offered

Safety

Travel

Lack of other women racing in my category

Family commitments

Races combined with other ages/categories

Time

Job/employment commitments

Cost

% of respondents who selected

Top 3 things discouraging you (or other women)

from racing? (N = 2511)


MOTIVATION TO JOIN/RENEW (RACING LICENSES)

No, I never have

11.4%

No, but I have in

the past

10.4% Yes

78.1%

Respondents (racers) holding a USAC license (N = 1906)

19.4%

2.9%

3.9%

6.3%

9.7%

16.5%

18.9%

58.3%

1.9%

8.3%

6.3%

13.1%

26.7%

15.0%

19.9%

15.0%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Other

Family commitments

Injury

job/employment commitments

Cost of races

My area does not have any USA Cycling sanctioned

races

Cost of license

Not racing enough to justify buying a license

Reasons for not getting first USA Cycling license. (N = 206)



23.6%

8.5%

8.5%

9.0%

9.5%

10.1%

11.6%

13.1%

14.6%

15.6%

17.6%

21.1%

27.1%

2.5%

10.1%

8.5%

12.1%

26.6%

12.1%

11.6%

19.1%

12.1%

23.1%

12.6%

22.1%

22.1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Other

Lack of races that include my age group

I am more of a recreational rider than racer

Attitude of other women racers

Cost of travel to events

Lack of races that include my category

No races close to where I live

Lack of other female racers in my category or age

group

I was injured

Cost of race entry fees

Family commitments

Time constraints

Cost of license

Reasons for not renewing USAC license. (N = 199)



Open responses

When asked to report, “What do you think would encourage more women to participate in

bicycle racing?” respondents returned a broad range of suggestions (N = 2064). These

responses were categorized wherever possible based on the frequency of the subject matter.

Of the top concerns discussed, the top 5 most commonly cited were:

· 29% Category Issues (combining, age ranges, beginners racing against professionals)

· 6% Prizes/Payouts (most often seeking equality to males)

· 6% Programs/Skills/Education (for newest competitors)

· 5% Social elements (Friendly atmosphere, welcoming, attitude)

· 3% Fun (vs. competition)

4.2%

6.0%

7.4%

9.3%

15.1%

16.7%

31.0%

32.6%

35.7%

41.2%

48.5%

49.1%

49.3%

57.9%

58.0%

2.2%

32.4%

21.3%

12.2%

26.0%

40.8%

47.8%

32.9%

47.3%

40.2%

42.5%

35.7%

41.7%

28.7%

34.4%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0%

Other

Race director

Mentored races

Child care

Family friendly

Prizes

Field size

Age group offered

Cost of races

Safety

Race length

Categories offered

Proximity of races

Friendly women to race against

Course

What factors would enable you to continue

bicycle racing in future years? (N = 1740)

Most important Somewhat important


When asked, “What other things might cause you to race more frequently?”¸similar categories

were constructed from the 1913 responses. The top 4 most cited personal constraints were,

· 9% Distance to races

· 9% Cost

· 5% Family/Job constraints

· 4% Category issues

When asked, “What would add value to bicycle racing for you?”, the respondents (N = 1557)

indicated these 5 most frequent desires,

· 11% Category Issues (combining, age ranges, beginners racing against professionals)

· 10% Social elements (Friendly atmosphere, welcoming, attitude)

· 6% Prizes/Payouts (most often seeking equality to males)

· 6% Events (more and closer)

· 4% Fun (vs. competition)

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER Daniel J. Larson, PhD Dr. Larson currently serves as Lecturer in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Larson’s research focuses on sport economics and specifically the economic issues in the sport of cycling. Dr. Larson functions as the coordinator for the project/report.

female cyclist survey 3...female cyclist survey 3 executive summary in order to fully characterize...

Documents