Do You Think Cycling Can Be As Popular As The Other Major Sports In The U.s.?
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Absolutely. I agree with you swampy1970, it's a bit funny how it was compared to a chess match, haha.swampy1970 said:
Cycling is a popular sport but few people vouch for it. The reason is that people are used to driving cars and motorcycles. The days of cycles being used on the roads and for transport is long gone. Unfortunately, there are not enough people who consider it a good exercise compared to exercising in a gymnasium or swimming.
I think bike as transportation is making a comeback. More cities are building bike shares, and we are starting to see a lot of cycling infrastructure too. But even if bike as general transportation increases dramatically nationwide, it won't drive interest towards pro cycling any more than people driving to work are drawn to NASCAR.
Yeah, I'd have to agree with everyone else who thinks it won't be as popular as the other major sports. Even baseball and hockey are currently having problems maintaining an audience and they're way more engrained in the mainstream consciousness than cycling. I think Lance Armstrong could have potentially opened some doors but the scandal really screwed everything up. A lot of people only know him so the whole doping thing really paints the sport in a bad light.
On the other hand, I could see participating in organized cycling going up to a level that might rival the other main sports. Even if people don't wanna watch it, the fact that there are more people cycling than in years past makes me think that more people will want to compete. It's totally plausible that we could see more amateur and semi-pro events.
On the other hand, I could see participating in organized cycling going up to a level that might rival the other main sports. Even if people don't wanna watch it, the fact that there are more people cycling than in years past makes me think that more people will want to compete. It's totally plausible that we could see more amateur and semi-pro events.
It may not be as popular as basketball or boxing, but it has its own niche. I think a lot of people are now getting into it since many are now becoming more health conscious. It is a good sign. I do hope it becomes famous like the mainstream sports embraced in this country.
I'm gay - says the man that wears asses leather chaps and rides a Harley. Campybob and friends out for a brew when two cops stumble along...CAMPYBOB said:Quote by swami:
"We have Lingerie Football. How many people watch that ace sport? Not many..."
I can't help it if you're gay. Not that there's anything wrong with driving a Miyata.
Proof that God wants us to be happy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJMerul33E
Miyata aye?
Back in the days that Campag made good stuff and Tour champions actually rode a full Campag groupset.
It's really interesting after reading those comments. I think it might be possible after all but it won't until people actually give it importance.
I think it can. But it all starts with marketing. The U.S. is heavy on commercialism. So first they have to bring in likable people that are pro bikers and force the image down people's throats. Then start full blown professional leagues of it.
I do not think cycling has the potential to become a major spectator sport. It is too slow for the average American sports fan, who is used to a more combative style of sport with more vicious competition. Many races extend far too long for the average fan to relate to, while they can just drop in and fully experience a basketball or hockey game. I think cycling's potential growth wise is limited to niche audiences, similar to that of NASCAR.
Interesting topic. One thing about cycling is there is so many disciplines. With it so segmented I think it will be difficult to get a big following.
I noticed that free-ride mountain biking has gained in popularity. Last years Red Bull Rampage was even on national TV.
One point about how things that are fun o watch vs fun to do. I agree, except by that logic no one would watch golf! Yet there is a whole channel dedicated to it.
I noticed that free-ride mountain biking has gained in popularity. Last years Red Bull Rampage was even on national TV.
One point about how things that are fun o watch vs fun to do. I agree, except by that logic no one would watch golf! Yet there is a whole channel dedicated to it.
Interesting topic. One thing about cycling is there is so many disciplines. With it so segmented I think it will be difficult to get a big following.
I noticed that free-ride mountain biking has gained in popularity. Last years Red Bull Rampage was even on national TV.
One point about how things that are fun o watch vs fun to do. I agree, except by that logic no one would watch golf! Yet there is a whole channel dedicated to it.
I noticed that free-ride mountain biking has gained in popularity. Last years Red Bull Rampage was even on national TV.
One point about how things that are fun o watch vs fun to do. I agree, except by that logic no one would watch golf! Yet there is a whole channel dedicated to it.
For the sport to be marketable, it has to be aesthetically pleasing on a TV screen. I've read a few sportswriters suggest that the rise of the NFL's dominance is based around the fact that football looks best on TVs. TVs are rectangle as are football fields. It makes the games easier to follow while giving you camera angles that generally seem natural and unobtrusive. It's like Marshall McLuhan said, the medium is the message. In fact, there's actually a lot of people who actually hate going to football games in real life. I've heard plenty claim that the NFL gives you the best TV viewing experience and the worst live viewing experience.blastguardgear said:
If cycling wants to become a major sport, it needs a way to adapt itself to be watched. There's definitely potential. HD TVs make it possible to translate landscapes so a road race in a geographically interesting area might look good enough to show on TV. You just need to figure out a way to convey the sport's action in a way that's easy to follow and understand for the viewer. I think that's why NASCAR tends to be more popular than other forms of car racing. NASCAR tracks are just big loops so you can follow the race easier than something like Formula One which has more twists and turns.
When I was young I remember the big league of cyclists called Tour of Luzon. It was participated in by hundreds of cyclists from varied provinces. Every year, that tour was one of the biggest even during summer time. I remember one winner named Cornelio Padilla who became a lawyer by using his money winnings for his studies. By the way, the tour consists of more than 10 laps held in different provinces.
Unfortunately, Tour of Luzon died a natural death for lack of sponsors leaving the cyclists with no motivation.
Unfortunately, Tour of Luzon died a natural death for lack of sponsors leaving the cyclists with no motivation.
Racing in general is a niche sport.
On one hand, you have those who are into racing for the technology, the principle behind the sport.
Then there are those who enjoy racing for the novelty; the girls, the "experience", etc.
Both are small parts of the population.
And then you have the cycling aspect, which many americans cannot relate to, besides the cyclist taking up their precious driving space. Combine all three and you have a disaster.
Getting into cycling (just riding a bike at least) is no more expensive than playing a sport like hockey or golf. The problem is the lack of community. Notice at least in the US that most major sports are team sports, and it is obvious just by looking at it. To many cycling is seen an individual sport, and most individual sports are not popular in the US (boxing is failing, UFC can't really be regarded as a major sport, golf is losing interest, etc).
Racing bikes, cars, or people just isn't something that is practiced in US high schools, so many can't even fathom what it is like to race, and can't get into it. When people watch football, it brings up memories of high school games or weekends with friends (either playing or watching), making a connection. Most adults haven't touched a bicycle since junior high, and therefore assume bike = kid.
On one hand, you have those who are into racing for the technology, the principle behind the sport.
Then there are those who enjoy racing for the novelty; the girls, the "experience", etc.
Both are small parts of the population.
And then you have the cycling aspect, which many americans cannot relate to, besides the cyclist taking up their precious driving space. Combine all three and you have a disaster.
Getting into cycling (just riding a bike at least) is no more expensive than playing a sport like hockey or golf. The problem is the lack of community. Notice at least in the US that most major sports are team sports, and it is obvious just by looking at it. To many cycling is seen an individual sport, and most individual sports are not popular in the US (boxing is failing, UFC can't really be regarded as a major sport, golf is losing interest, etc).
Racing bikes, cars, or people just isn't something that is practiced in US high schools, so many can't even fathom what it is like to race, and can't get into it. When people watch football, it brings up memories of high school games or weekends with friends (either playing or watching), making a connection. Most adults haven't touched a bicycle since junior high, and therefore assume bike = kid.
There's a statewide bicycle race a few years ago here that seemed to be growing in popularity, but kind of died in 2009 (according to Wikipedia.) I guess they had problems getting sponsorship and the state didn't want to keep funding it absent corporate sponsors. The weird thing was the event, at least in my area, was attracting more spectators each year. Even my parents showed up to watch the last year it ran, and they were never really interested in riding bikes or cycling as a sport. I wonder how races are going in 2015 and if organizers are having similar problems.
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