Potential for sustainable innovation in professional cycling: a comparison of countries

The dataset documents which sustainable innovations in professional road cycling cycling fans find particularly exciting, comparing responses from the United States and Germany (survey date: June 2025). Respondents selected from a list of innovation concepts; multiple answers were permitted.

Smart, energy-efficient bicycle technologies rank first in both countries, cited by 59% of US respondents and 41% of German respondents. Recycled and sustainable materials for bicycles follow at 51% (US) and 42% (Germany) — the smallest gap between the two countries across all categories. The US–Germany difference widens for sustainable energy solutions for sporting events: 50% in the US versus 30% in Germany. Promotion of e-bike infrastructure and sharing models is selected by 40% in the US and 35% in Germany. The share selecting none of these innovations is 7% in Germany, compared to 2% in the US.