Key Takeaways
- The number of cycle trips in England has remained broadly static for years, despite predictions of a cycling boom.
- London is experiencing a sustained cycling boom, with nearly 1.5m trips a day, 43% higher than 2019.
- The sale of conventional bikes is declining, while the sale of electric bikes is increasing in other European countries.
- The UK cycle market is at risk of becoming a leisure market, like golf or tennis, unless it can adopt the same strategies as other European countries.
- Safety and infrastructure are key to increasing cycling rates, with experts agreeing that people will only cycle if they feel it is safe.
Introduction to Cycling in the UK
The UK has been predicted to become a nation of cyclists, with campaigners and government ministers confidently forecasting a surge in cycling rates. However, this has not materialized, with the level of cycle trips in England remaining broadly static for years. The only exception was a concentrated spike in bike use during the Covid pandemic. According to statistics from the Bicycle Association, the trade body for the bike industry in Britain, 2024 saw the lowest number of conventional bike sales this century.
The Decline of Conventional Bike Sales
The decline in conventional bike sales is a concern for the industry, with Phillip Darnton, executive chair of the Bicycle Association, stating that "if you look at the sales of pedal cycles since 2010, there isn’t a year except the Covid year when sales haven’t declined." This trend is not unique to the UK, with conventional bike sales falling throughout Europe. However, other countries are seeing a balance in sales with the rise of legal electric bikes, which is not the case in the UK.
London’s Cycling Boom
London is an exception to the static cycling rates, with the city experiencing a sustained cycling boom. The number of cycle trips in London has increased by 43% since 2019, with nearly 1.5m trips a day. This is attributed to the city’s concentrated population, disincentives to driving, such as the congestion charge, and a network of low-traffic neighborhoods. The rise of electric-assist bikes, including hire versions like Lime, has also contributed to the increase in cycling rates.
The Importance of Safety and Infrastructure
Experts agree that safety and infrastructure are key to increasing cycling rates. Adam Tranter, who runs a PR agency that works with cycling brands, states that "you can’t reach the potential of cycling without making it much more safe and hospitable to cycle." This requires long-term investment in infrastructure, such as bike lanes and low-traffic neighborhoods. The lack of safe roads is a major deterrent for people to cycle, and it is essential to address this issue to increase cycling rates.
The Rise of Electric Bikes
The sale of electric bikes is increasing in other European countries, with Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Spain expected to sell over 5m electric bikes in 2025. In contrast, the UK is expected to sell only 150,000 electric bikes. This is due to a combination of factors, including safer road conditions, subsidies to help people buy electric bikes, and a lack of image problems associated with electric bikes. In the UK, electric bikes have an image problem, with some people perceiving them as dangerous due to the near-unchecked use of illegal electric bikes.
The Impact of Illegal Electric Bikes
The use of illegal electric bikes, many made in China, is a significant issue in the UK. These bikes are often dangerously quick and can have alarmingly combustible batteries. This has contributed to the image problem of electric bikes, with people reading about the dangers of electric bikes and believing it. The lack of regulation and enforcement has allowed these illegal bikes to proliferate, making it difficult for the legal electric bike industry to gain traction.
The Future of the UK Cycle Market
The UK cycle market is at risk of becoming a leisure market, like golf or tennis, unless it can adopt the same strategies as other European countries. This includes investing in infrastructure, providing subsidies for electric bikes, and addressing the image problem associated with electric bikes. The UK needs to learn from other countries and implement policies that support cycling, such as making roads safer and more hospitable for cyclists. Unless this happens, the UK cycle market will continue to decline, and the country will miss out on the benefits of cycling, including improved health, reduced congestion, and a more sustainable transportation system.
