Cycle Tourism Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Cycle Tourism Market is projected to experience substantial growth, increasing from USD 131.03 Billion in 2025 to USD 220.72 Billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 9.08%. This sector, defined by travel where cycling is the primary mode for leisure, sport, or exploration, is bolstered by a global shift toward prioritizing physical health and significant government investment in sustainable mobility infrastructure aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Industry sentiment remains highly positive regarding this demand; the European Cyclists' Federation reported in 2024 that 88% of surveyed cycling tour operators expected guest volumes to match or exceed the previous year's levels.

However, the market faces a major hurdle regarding the inconsistency of infrastructure quality and safety standards across different regions. While mature markets enjoy interconnected route networks, many emerging destinations struggle with fragmented pathways and inadequate safety measures, which discourages less experienced cyclists from participating. This lack of standardized, secure cycling environments hinders the development of seamless cross-border itineraries and limits the industry's capacity to fully capitalize on the mass-market interest in active travel.

Market Drivers

The widespread adoption of Electric Bicycles (E-bikes) is significantly improving market accessibility by overcoming physical limitations, thereby extending the appeal of cycle tourism to older and less active demographics. This technological advancement allows operators to create itineraries covering longer distances and diverse terrains, effectively democratizing access to challenging destinations once reserved for athletic cyclists and enabling multi-generational travel groups. The impact of this shift is evident in consumer behavior; the ADFC (German Cyclists' Association) noted in its 'Radreiseanalyse 2024' from March 2024 that approximately 44.7% of cycle tourists used an e-bike, indicating a major structural change in equipment preferences.

Simultaneously, government support and the expansion of dedicated cycling infrastructure are driving market scalability by creating the safe, connected networks necessary for mass adoption. Public sector initiatives are increasingly focusing on developing traffic-free greenways and rail-trails to boost rural economies and facilitate sustainable transport. These efforts are yielding tangible results; Sustrans reported in November 2024 that 20 major infrastructure projects were completed in Scotland during the 2023/24 period to enhance safety, while Eco-Counter observed in November 2024 that cycling traffic on the EuroVelo 1 Atlantic Coast Route rose by 6%, confirming that improved route conditions directly stimulate visitor growth.

Market Challenges

The primary obstacle hindering the Global Cycle Tourism Market is the significant disparity in infrastructure quality and safety standards between regions. This inconsistency leads to a fragmented travel experience that prevents the industry from evolving from a niche activity into a mass-market tourism product. While experienced cyclists may navigate broken pathways, the broader leisure market requires seamless, protected routes; consequently, when destinations lack standardized safety measures, potential tourists view the activity as too risky, causing operators to lose access to the lucrative family and casual travel segments.

This lack of connectivity also restricts the creation of high-value, multi-destination itineraries that are essential for revenue growth. According to the EuroVelo Route Development Status Report in 2024, 33% of the European long-distance cycle network still required further development to meet essential quality and safety criteria. This infrastructure gap forces tour operators to offer fragmented routes, making seamless cross-border travel impossible in many areas and preventing the market from fully monetizing growing consumer interest in active travel due to the incompatibility between the physical environment and mainstream safety expectations.

Market Trends

The mainstreaming of gravel and mixed-terrain adventure tours is fundamentally shifting market dynamics as travelers increasingly favor remote, low-traffic environments over traditional paved routes. This trend compels operators to design itineraries that combine unpaved paths with immersive nature experiences, catering to a demographic focused on exploration rather than pure athletic performance. This transition toward experience-based travel is expanding the industry's reach; the Adventure Travel Trade Association's '2025 Adventure Travel Market Sizing Report', released in September 2025, indicates that the core adventure-first traveler base has grown from 30% to 40% of all international travelers, highlighting the commercial viability of off-road tourism.

Concurrently, the rise of women-centric and solo-traveler cycling groups is driving a strategic reorientation in tour operations toward inclusivity and community building. Providers are increasingly curating women-only departures and solo-friendly packages that address safety concerns and foster supportive social environments, unlocking a high-growth segment previously underserved by male-dominated marketing. This focus on gender-inclusive engagement is generating significant growth; Strava's 'Year In Sport Trend Report 2024' from December 2024 revealed an 11% increase in female cyclists on the platform, a rate significantly outpacing the broader user base and underscoring the rising influence of female cyclists on market demand.

Key Players Profiled in the Cycle Tourism Market

• SpiceRoads Cycling
• World Expeditions Travel Group Pty Ltd.
• Travel + Leisure Co.
• Exodus Travels Limited
• Intrepid Group Pty Limited
• G Adventures Inc.
• Himalayan Glacier Adventures, LLC
• OST.travel Inc.
• Roswell Park Alliance Foundation
• Active Adventures Limited Partnership

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Cycle Tourism Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Cycle Tourism Market, by Type:

• Groups/Friends
• Couples
• Family
• Solo

Cycle Tourism Market, by Booking Mode:

• Direct
• Travel Agent
• Marketplace Booking

Cycle Tourism Market, by Age Group:

• 18 to 30 Years
• 31 to 50 Years
• More than 50 Years

Cycle Tourism Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Cycle Tourism Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.