Majority of sports cyclists = probably middle class and upwards. Majority of utility cyclists are probably working class. ....
I suspect most people who more easily fall in to working class category sadly would find it more difficult to find the time for a cycling club, which I think is what helps turn a lot of people from bike-curious (South Park reference 😂) to bike-obsessive.
I would not disagree with the first two lines in the post above, and it tends to reflect my own observations.
However, I think that to categorise riders into purely sports or utility is a bit over simplistic. There are quite a big chunk who are neither utility or sports riders as such; i.e. they are not obsessed by cycling performance, and they don't necessarily ride to work or to do their daily errands either - but they do still ride when they feel like it, just for a bit of fresh air and pleasant scenery. Probably much of
Halfords core customer base in fact!
One of the reasons I suspect road cycling is largely not a working class pastime, is if someone does a physical job all week, and possibly even rides to work, they are unlikely to have the time or energy left to indulge in sports cycling during their free time. They are more likely to want to put their feet up and relax after a week of graft, not go out and tire themselves out even more, then have to get up for work again Monday.
