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news
Strava Year In Sport 2018.JPGUK and Irish cyclists ride 1 billion kilometres on Strava in 2018
Strava’s latest annual Year in Sport report, published today, shows that members of the social network have collectively racked up more than 10 billion kilometres this year – with cyclists in the UK and Ireland alone riding a total of more than 1 billion kilometres.
According to Strava, its continued growth had been driven over the past 12 months by three groups in particular – women, runners, and people from outside its home market, the US – and the network now comprises 36 million athletes in 195 countries.
More than 624 million activities were uploaded this year covering a total of 10.7 billion, and this month has seen a milestone reached as the 2 billion upload mark was passed.
The 1 billion kilometres ridden by British and Irish cyclists were achieved during 42.3 million rides, and breaking the statistics down by country, the most regular cyclists are found in England – and especially London – while the furthest distances travelled were by cyclists in Northern Ireland, followed by the Republic of Ireland and Wales.
Here’s a breakdown by Strava of key cycling statistics within the UK, by country.
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Overall
Strava also highlighted some trends revealed by the data. Setting a goal for exercise, whether in terms of distance or time, leads to higher levels of activity, as does belonging to a Strava Club – solo rides, for example, averaged 28.6 kilometres, while people on group rides averaged 49 kilometres, with Strava highlighting the virtual cycling platform Zwift as particularly important here.
Box Hill in Surrey is the world’s most popular segment for rides with an elevation of at least 500 feet, with 492,520 attempts, although it’s not clear whether or not that includes participants on Zwift.
Gareth Mills, Strava’s UK country manager, commented: “We’ve analysed billions of athletic data points from Strava’s 36 million members and put them to good use for Strava’s Year in Sport 2018 report.
“As we hit 2 billion activities uploaded from the community, one thing that stands out especially is the importance of social exercise.”
He added: “Our data shows that sociability dramatically improves motivation – joining a club, setting a goal and exercising in a group – all boost activity. Cyclists who set goals were 15.1 per cent more active in 2018.”
You can view and download the Strava’s Year in Sport 2018 report here.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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12 comments
>why combine the two countries?
Would you object if they gave you figures for Scandinavia or Australasia?
The British Isles is a well established Geographical concept.
Yes, obviously I would. Combined stats for Australia and New Zealand would be equally moronic. As would a combination of the Scandanavian Countries. If I lived in Australia I would want to see the stats for Australia. If I lived in NZ I would want to see the stats for NZ. If I lived in Sweden I would want to see the stats for Sweden. Etc. Etc. Etc. I live in the UK, I'm quite interested in the UK stats, I have no more interest in the Irish stats as I do those of France, Brazil, USA or Samoa.
"Here’s a breakdown by Strava of key cycling statistics" and then a list of speeds and distances without any further explanation.
I assume its an average (probaly mean?) speed and distance per ride? Any chance of some context being added? Unless i'm missing something, in which case please ignore me.
Why UK *and* Ireland? Who cares about such a random combination of countries? UK stats are interesting for people living here, but I don't give a shit about the Irish stats and I imagine they don't care a jot for ours.
Because it wouldn't add up to 1 billion km then would it
I guess the historical reference to "British Isles", still apparent with the British Lions in Rugby Union. It is an interesting landmark stat, that's all it is.
The only other thing I have to say is "Go Kingston Upon Hull"!!
Isn't it coincidental that the random combination of countries selected happen to be two Anglophone nations that are historically, culturally and geographically adjacent? You'd think if they chose two at random it would be some wierd combo like Laos and Ecuador.
Yeah, rather two nearby countries. Random is the wrong word. But the point is why combine the two countries?
Seems slightly illogical to me , as well. But maybe some rides include both, given the (current) nature of a certain border? With any other random pairing of countries you aren''t likely to be able to do strava trips that include both.
(Though then again, I suppose that applies to many adjioining Schengren nations as well).
Anyone know what's going on in Northern Ireland and why we haven't tapped them up for the GB team? [Or is there some 'assistance' to those figures?]
was a bit surprised by the average speed figures - thought a bit low (not because I'm speedy - a lot of cyclists pass me very easily) - then I thought they must be a combination of road and MTB riding - possibly less MTBer's in those parts of NI?
Some smugness from me knowing that my county has won the joint first prize for speediest middle aged cycling persons in lycra in England, on a tuesday, when the moon is at it's zenith, for the second quarter of the year. Oh indeed, I shall sleep sound tonight!
I do accept personal praise, you're welcome