Growth in e-bike sales suggests that EU Cycling Strategy targets could be more than doubled

Ask any cyclist whether he or she prefers to cycle with the wind coming from the back or the head, the answer very likely will be “from the back, please!” With the latest e-bike sales figures going through the roof, more and more people seem to be prepared to pay a premium for assisted riding.

The European Cyclists’ Federation, leaders of 2017’s EU Cycling Strategy, is about to publish new scenarios for cycling’s EU Policy Roadmap, suggesting that 2030 bike sales could be more than double previous estimates. At a high-level policy event on May 22^nd organised by Cycling Industries Europe in Brussels ECF will challenge industry colleagues with the new estimates and ask “Are you ready to deliver these numbers?”

Cycling Industries Europe will respond to the business challenges needed to deliver and to defend the growth figures. At their policy event “Cycling Industries 2030 – taking the lead in new mobility” CIE will debate the EU sales projections with EU officials, ECF and other stakeholders. This will include expert panels in the topics of the digitalization of cycling and new business models and financial opportunities such commercial fleet leasing via banks and insurance schemes. All companies and policy makers interested in the mobility sector are invited to attend the conference, taking place at the heart of the EU with senior representatives of the European Commission.

As the e-bike market grows by more than 20 % annually the highest scenarios suggest sales in 2030 could be as much as a stunning 29 million units. The 2017 EU Cycling Strategy predicted annual sales of 12 million units by 2030, provided all recommendations issued to the public authorities were completely implemented by then. Current trends suggest that potential demand is way ahead of this forecast and it can only be revised upwards.

Adam Bodor, Advocacy Director of ECF predicts: “Future e-bike sales figures will depend heavily on how cycle-friendly the environment is. The optimum scenario implies that Europe would turn into a cycling paradise, with Dutch-style investments in safe and comfortable infrastructure, a regulatory environment prioritizing the use of bicycles and, perhaps most challenging, by properly managing the use of the private car in towns and cities. But governments and advocates need to know that the industry will be maintaining investments in innovation to stay ahead of the many alternative forms of micromobility that could arrive.”

Kevin Mayne, Chief Executive of CIE says: “It is possible we have reached a tipping point in cycling sector growth, powered by e-bike sales. Every company in the bike sector, plus our allies in the digital and financial sectors have to wake up to the scale of the opportunity and start planning together, because this is transformational for our industries and we need manage this growth strategically. We must respond to ECF’s challenge now.”

“Cycling Industries 2030 – taking the lead in new mobility” takes place on 22^nd May at Scotland Europa, Brussels. Places are limited, so early booking is strongly advised. Register here. 

See agenda of the event here.