Bicycle market: e-bike more popular than normal bike

Bicycles are currently experiencing a huge hype. For the first time, the e-bike is more in demand than normal bikes. This is a turning point in the bicycle market, as models without motor assistance have always been ahead.

E-bike overtake classic bikes

Some transport experts believe that the bicycle is an important piece of the puzzle in the success of the mobility transition. After all, there are increasing calls for car-free city centers, especially in major German cities. In view of the huge shortage of parking spaces and gigantic congestion problems, this is quite understandable. But not every commuter wants to arrive at the office all sweaty in the morning. The solution is the e-bike. Thanks to the support of the electric motor, it offers a high level of riding comfort without the effort. It seems that a record number of people decided to buy an e-bike last year. According to the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV), a whopping 2.1 million models were sold.

That is almost 200,000 more than the association was able to record for sales of normal bicycles. If you take a look at the overall figures, the e-bike has also made up a lot of ground. According to the ZIV, there are around 11 million electrically assisted bicycles on the road in Germany. This compares to 73 million normal bicycles. In its market analysis, the industry association also found that more and more consumers are using several bikes at the same time. In addition to a model for commuting to work, for example, there is also one for weekend trips or one for sporting purposes. Accordingly, demand is by no means exhausted.

E-mountain bikes are the most popular

If you look at the average prices of e-bikes and normal bikes in comparison, the success is quite remarkable. Normal bikes sold in 2023 are said to have cost an average of just under 470 euros. E-bikes, on the other hand, were sold at an average price of a whopping €2,950. According to the ZIV, however, this is not because all e-bikes are extremely expensive. Rather, the high price is due to the high market share of electrically powered cargo bikes. Experience shows that these are quite expensive and therefore also raise the average.

In view of the current safety criticism of cargo bike king Babboe, it remains to be seen how long the hype surrounding bikes with lots of storage space will last. Even though cargo bikes may be popular, they are by no means the best-selling models among e-bikes with a 9% market share. Instead, e-mountainbikes secured the throne with a market share of a proud 39%. And there is another winner – specialist retailers. A whopping 74% of all bikes sold were sold through local specialist bike retailers.