On Strava in 2023, cycling went off the beaten path

In 2023, over 120 million athletes on Strava pushed their limits, motivated themselves, and hit trails, roads, gyms, swimming lanes, and tracks in record numbers. Strava, the world’s largest online sports community, today unveils its 2023 figures. Taken as a whole, this data illustrates the trends that have shaped the world of physical exercise and exploration. This year, cycling continued its ascent, visibly expanding into trails.

Source: Press Release

The Right Name

It seems that in 2023, some people got a head start from birth thanks to their first name. In France, the fastest cyclists are named Léa and Corentin.

PR Hunting in a Peloton

In France, cyclists are 42% more likely to achieve a Personal Record (PR) on a segment in a group of 2 or more, than if they are solo.

The Growth of Gravel

In 2023, gravel is one of the fastest-growing sports on Strava, with a 55% increase in the share of athletes who tried it. And the appetite for adventure didn’t stop there! In general, trail and off-road sports experienced rapid growth.

Long Distance is on the Rise

Not all athletes who started cycling during the pandemic have slowed down: in fact, the share of Strava cyclists who completed at least one 100 km ride increased by 5% in 2023. And the share of those who recorded at least one e-bike ride increased by 23%!

The Generational Gap

Gen Z athletes are 31% less likely to exercise for their health than their Millennial or Gen X counterparts (31%); instead, they run for athletic performance.
Gen Z athletes were almost twice as likely to upload running activities as cycling activities. This trend reverses with age: baby boomers were twice as likely to upload cycling activities.

Daily Commutes Shift Gears

17% of daily bike commutes on Strava were recorded by Gen Z in 2023, compared to 8% five years ago. Millennials represented the dominant share of daily bike users, while Gen X saw the largest decrease since 2019.

On the Road!

In 2023, the number of trips broke all records. And here are the segments that were unanimously popular with cyclists worldwide (in pink) and in France (in green).

The Sporting Year in 10 Figures

1 – Running is #1 in the ranking of the most popular sports on Strava. It is followed by cycling. Walking completes the podium. In 2023, the share of athletes who recorded running activities on Strava increased by 4%.

2 – Gravel recorded a 55% growth globally, becoming one of the fastest-growing sports on Strava. And the appetite for adventure didn’t stop there! In general, trail and off-road sports all experienced rapid growth in 2023.

3 – 59% of French people with a pet say their dogs help them get out, that without them they would stay home, and that it makes physical exercise more fun. Globally, 79% agree with this statement.

4 – 89% of French Strava athletes (90% globally) state that a training routine helps them exercise regularly.

5 – While globally, rowing was the most frequently uploaded sport on Strava by groups of two or more in 2023 (40%), in France, ski touring brought athletes together. 34% of activities related to this sport were done in groups.

6 – More than two-thirds of Strava athletes globally and 74% of French Strava athletes state that lack of time due to professional demands is a major obstacle to physical exercise.

7 – Globally, women are 9% more likely than men to cite a lack of safe places to exercise. In France, they are 2x more likely than men to mention this barrier.

8 – 34% of athletes who traveled this year went to Croatia or Greece.

9 – In France, Strava runners and cyclists are respectively 28% and 42% more likely to achieve a Personal Record (PR) on a segment in a group of 2 or more, than if they are solo.

10 – For 53% of French people, thinking about their goals is the element that motivates them to start an activity.

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