As part of their re-branding and launch as Bike Santa Cruz County, the organization released a State of Cycling Santa Cruz County 2015 report highlighting infrastructure, bike-related economy, participation levels, education, advocacy, and events throughout Santa Cruz County, California.
According to this report, the bike industry employs over 1,000 people and brought in over $800 million in revenues in 2014.
International and national players in the bike industry include well known names such as Fox Racing, which employs 600 people in Watsonville and Scott Valley, and BRG Sports, which develops and sells products under the Bell, Giro, and Blackburn brands. Easton Cycling, which split from the Bell-Easton-Giro last December, develops wheels and other components for road and mountain bikes in Scotts Valley.
The city of Santa Cruz is home to two other component manufactures, Praxis Works and X Fusion Shox. Bicycle brands headquartered in the city of Santa Cruz include Ibis Cycles, Santa Cruz Bicycles, and Two Hip Bikes (owned by BMX freestyle legend Ron Wilkerson). Easy Racer recumbent bikes are built at that company’s headquarters in Watsonville.
A number of talented, well-known framebuilders also call Santa Cruz County home. They include Caletti Cycles, Calfee Design, Hunter Cycles, Rock Lobster, Frances Cycles, and Black Cat Bicycles.
Charity rides, races, and bike festivals drew over 13,000 participants last year, attracting attendees from the Bay Area and generating $300,000 in revenue for county businesses. Locations in Santa Cruz County are popular for bike tourists passing through along the California coast, and the county is becoming increasingly popular as a tourism destination for bike riding opportunities.
Finally, the county supports 13 bike shops serving a population of a quarter million residents, with eight bike shops in the city of Santa Cruz for a population of 60,000 people. Compare against nearby San Jose, which has 10 specialty bicycle retailers for one million residents.