It is a simple question of how many people cross the US by bicycle each year.
A really, really worthy question Westinghouse & Hikerjer.
I have long wondered, as well as, long decided
that if ACA can't conservatively accurately estimate this figure then,
probably (? :-), no one can?
I'd love to see it estimated in some of these subsets:
1. Atlantic - Pacific (either direction).
2. Canada - Gulf or Mexico (either direction).
3. End to end in one trip, aka non-stop.
4. End to end via more than one trip (i.e., not non-stop).
5. Has to be by year completed, or else the calculation could never arrive at your above 'each year.'
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Perhaps the best that can be achieved are accurate numbers from bicycle touring organizations. They know how many start and how many finish. There would still be those who do it and take no interest in registering it. But the question remains. How many? I did the PCBR Ana Cortes to San Diego. I saw maybe 20 others obviously loaded for long distance touring. From talking to others, I was the only one going the distance. Of course, there might have been others taking the day off or in coffee shops of buying food when I went by. I did the Atlantic coast 4 times. I did not see anybody else at all loaded and touring. I have done random tours such as just taking off with no destination and just looking around. I saw nobody else obviously loaded and touring. In the UK bicycles were everywhere and many were used for touring. The tourist I spoke to were mostly on weekend jaunts and that sort of thing. I am of the opinion at this time that the authentic transcontinental bicycle tourist is a rare and not easily quantifiable subject.