LGBT Cyclists Dedicated to the Sport, Survey Finds

By Bob Nelson

Cyclists in Fast and Fabulous, New York’s LGBT bike club, are a hardy and dedicated lot, according to the survey results we collected July 8-31 and made public Aug. 19.

Sixty-two bikers took the survey. Nearly half (30) commute by bicycle, and more than 70 percent (44) own more than one bicycle. Two cyclists claimed they owned six or more bikes! At least three-quarters of us (46) ride more than once a week, and just as many said they would not be deterred by cold weather. Thirty-five percent (22) would be undeterred by rain, but only 23 percent (14) would bike in a snowstorm.

We’re perhaps not quite so dedicated when it comes to the distance we’d like to ride. More than 70 percent (45) prefer recreational short rides of less than 30 miles; nearly 60 percent (36) would do mid-distance rides of 30-60 mi., but only about 40 percent (24) would ride distance of more than 60 mi. This perhaps speaks to a need for putting more short rides on the calendar. Only five of us ride off-road and three of us participate in bike races.

Unsurprisingly, more than 90 percent of us (58) said they had joined Fast and Fab to bicycle in a gay environment. Socializing (29) and eating (10) were also among the reasons listed, and only 13 percent (8) said they joined for dating, romance and sex. (Details of the success of this latter category were unavailable at this writing.) Vast majorities, about 90 percent of us, enjoy organized rides (58), ride in daylight (59) and on weekends (55). Night riders account for more than a quarter of us (15).
Comments addressed mostly situational issues, such as the starting time, location, distance or pace of the rides. Some riders wanted more information on how to lead a ride; this can be found at http://www.fastnfab.org/guidelines.htm. And if you don't see any rides that appeal to you, take note: We don’t have a politburo that dictates what rides we can and can’t have. All the rides come from the membership. If you want to have a particular ride, put it on the calendar yourself or at least propose it to the list, even if you can’t lead it personally.

Comments on the lighter side included “Sex? Who has time for sex?” and “I love Bob.” Finally, there’s this: “Mostly looking for rides on the faster/longer end. Oh, and girls. Girls are always nice.”

See the full details of the survey here.