MISSOULA, MT (BRAIN)—Adventure Cycling Association reported a record year for fiscal year 2010 (ending Sept. 30) with 15 percent growth in overall revenue—from $3.6 million to $4.1 million—gaining robustly in its development, tours, and sales programs, as well as in ad revenue for its award-winning bicycle-travel magazine, Adventure Cyclist.
As North America's largest membership nonprofit cycling organization—with nearly 45,000 members—Adventure Cycling's income supports its efforts to improve conditions for bicycling and bicycle travel across the U.S. and provide resources and inspiration for people of all ages to travel by bicycle, according to a press release.
Jim Sayer, Adventure Cycling's executive director said, "Given the continued weakness in the U.S. economy, our performance was all the more impressive, but it's also a sign that in difficult times, people turn to things they love, like bicycling and traveling by bike."
Of special note, Adventure Cycling saw a 30 percent upturn in charitable donations in support of its advocacy and program work to advance bicycling and bicycle travel. Members and donors appreciated the group's efforts to establish an official U.S. Bicycle Route System, as well as the association's work on federal and state transportation policy. Along with donations, Adventure Cycling supports these programs with grants, which increased 12 percent in 2010, and with net proceeds from tours and product sales.
"We were humbled and energized by the generosity of our members," Sayer said.
Adventure Cycling's tours department saw a 16 percent increase in tour participants and a nearly 30 percent increase in total tours revenue in 2010. Offering over 40 guided cycling tours last year—including supported trips, self-contained tours, and educational courses—more than 1,000 riders rode with Adventure Cycling.
