Europe

According to data from the Dutch Cyclists Association, the Netherlands stands as the country with the highest number of bicycle users worldwide. With approximately 2.3% of the one billion bicycles in the world, the Netherlands has gained a reputation for its remarkable cycling infrastructure and culture. A staggering 27% of all trips within the country are made by bicycle, reflecting the widespread acceptance of cycling as a convenient and healthy mode of transportation. The Dutch government has made significant investments in constructing dedicated cycling paths and facilities to support this thriving cycling culture.

Following the Netherlands, other countries have also embraced cycling as a popular means of getting around:

• Denmark: With 18% of trips being made by bicycle, Denmark boasts a remarkable cycling culture. The city of Copenhagen, in particular, earned the title of the world’s most bike-friendly city in 2015, showcasing its commitment to promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.

• Germany: Approximately 9% of trips in Germany are made by bicycle, and the average German cyclist covers 0.9 km per day. The country has recognized the importance of cycling and continues to invest in improving cycling infrastructure and facilities.

• Sweden: Sweden stands out with over 60% of its population identifying as cyclists, and approximately 12% of their daily trips are made by bicycle. The country’s commitment to cycling is reflected in the high number of individuals who actively choose cycling as their preferred mode of transportation.

• Spain: Spain has seen a growing interest in cycling, with approximately 20% of the population listing the bicycle as one of their modes of transport. Cities such as Valencia, Vitoria, and Zaragoza have witnessed a significant increase in cycling, prompting other cities to follow suit and invest in creating more bike-friendly roads and infrastructure.

These countries, along with the Netherlands, serve as shining examples of how prioritizing cycling and developing cycling-friendly environments can encourage more sustainable and healthier transportation choices.

Cycling has emerged as one of the most widespread sports worldwide, capturing the interest of people across the globe. According to the World Economic Forum, more than 50% of the global population had acquired the skill of riding a bike by 2015, and this number has seen rapid growth in recent years, fueled in part by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Projections indicate that by 2050, the global utilization of bicycles will surpass five billion.

The realm of cycling tourism presents a diverse and flourishing market. Germany and the United Kingdom stand as the primary source markets for cycling tourism, closely followed by the Netherlands. The demand for this specialized market has been on the rise, with factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic and a desire to explore nature contributing to its accelerated growth

North America

While North America is witnessing the emergence of a vibrant bike culture, its current scale remains comparatively modest in comparison to Europe. European countries have long-established themselves as leaders in promoting cycling, with extensive infrastructure and a deeply ingrained cycling culture. However, North America is steadily catching up and beginning to embrace cycling as a popular recreational and transportation activity. Generally, biking is more popular in western North America—especially in dense urban areas, gentrified neighborhoods and university/college locales—than in the east. However, eastern cultural hubs such as Chicago, Minneapolis and New York City have also seen huge growth in cycling populations, suggesting weather and climate are not the only factors influencing bike use.

Latin America

The Latin America bike sharing market is poised to register a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period (2020-2025).

• Increasing traffic congestion, insufficient mass public transport, increasing rates of road fatalities, growing awareness among peoples for environmental concerns, will drive the bike sharing market. Bike sharing provide a convenient way of transportation at minimum cost without any hassle.
• The idea of company bike leasing is becoming increasingly popular in Latin America. bike sharing solutions are successfully adapting success stories of developed countries to small Latin American countries.

Bogotá is one of the most popular city in the Americas for biking. With more than 540 kilometers of bike lanes and is considered the city with the most open streets to ride a bicycle in Latin America. Ciclovia is one of the favorite weekend plans for citizens. Every Sunday morning and on holidays, over a hundred kilometers of the city streets are closed to cars, and open for riding bicycle, walking or running. From 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., hundreds of people go cycling along the ciclovia open streets.

Market opportunities