By Gary S. Vasilash

Back when many of us were kids, before there were even articulated concepts about “multi-modal mobility,” a bike was something that, well, we just rode around with friends.

I’m not talking about serious riding that required special outfits and equipment.

I’m not talking about mission-oriented transport.

I’m talking about, “Hey, Mom, I’m going to go ride my bike.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, did a study of bike trips in the U.S. during 2022.

It found that of the “Total person-trips made by bike”—some 2.2 billion of them—52% were in the “Social/Recreational” category.

Presumably some of those rides were of the dedicated variety. And odds are more than a small number were just “going riding.”

The second-highest category is “School/Church,” which came in at 20%.

The lowest category, tied with “Other” at 1%, is “Work-Related Business.”

Sure, cargo bikes may be a growing category, and while there have long been bike messengers and now bike-based food deliverers in urban areas, let’s face it: At least in the U.S. bikes are more associated with fun than generating finance.