Fighting the pandemic: How COVID-19 transformed Europe into a cycle superpower

The 2020 pandemic has prompted people to use bicycles more often than public transportation for short-distance travel. This has led to a sharp increase in demand for Chinese bicycles in Europe.

“The epidemic has not passed yet. Compared to other ways of transportation, bicycles are not only environmentally friendly, but also help to maintain the necessary social distance. As a result, more and more people prefer to use them”, - said Olivia, a resident of Rome.

China is the largest manufacturer of bicycles and components in the world. According to statistics from the China Bicycle Association, the country's annual bicycle production accounts for half of global sales. The export volume of bicycles last year exceeded $1 billion. Chinese bicycles are exported to 160 countries.

According to AliExpress, in May 2020 bicycle sales in the Spanish platform market grew more than 22 times, in the Italian and UK markets about 4 times. According to the Italian website Veneto Economics, about half of the bicycles sold in Italy are made in China.

The growth in bicycle sales has also been driven by the environmental policies of many European countries, which provide subsidies for the purchase of bicycles and encourage riding them in every possible way. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, more than €1 billion has been spent on bicycle infrastructure in Europe, and more than 1,000 kilometers of bike paths have been implemented so far.

Data from the European Cyclists' Federation provides an interesting overview of the countries spending the most on cycling during the pandemic. Finland has spent €7.76 per person on cycling, the most of any European country, followed by Italy (€5.04 per person) and France (€4.91 per person). In Germany, cycle paths have been extended and traffic regulations have been reformed to benefit cyclists.

COVID-19 has affected the Bicycle Industry worldwide: the negative impact at the beginning of the outbreak has been overturned by a remarkable growth in sales in each one of the countries represented by the WBIA Members. Governmental initiatives to support and promote Cycling have been introduced at fast pace while online sales have increased significantly as a result of the lockdown measures.

Based on: World Bicycle Industry Association WBA; World Economic Forum; People's Daily.