Yes, it is in decline, along with so many other hobbies that boomed during the 1970s and 1980s thanks to the post-war Boomer generation - motorcycling, skiing, bowling, etc... Some folks from subsequent generations were also attracted to cycling, but some created their own hobby communities around skateboarding, snowboarding, gaming, one-wheels, etc...
I'd also think that the change in our physical world has had something to do with it. More people live in car-centric suburbs than ever before, and many miles of quiet farm roads adjacent to population centers has been replaced by strip malls and stroads; what beginner cyclist would want to roll out of their garage to that?
Thankfully, the rail-trail and bike path/MUP trend continues to grow. Hopefully, more people will discovery the activity that we all love.
Last edited by john m flores; 10-22-23 at 08:48 AM.