Even in a year such as 2013, marked by economic hardship as well as a meteorologically challenging spring (to say the least), the French continued to buy bikes. That’s what the numbers recently published in the “Bicycle Observatory” by the “Conseil National des Professions du Cycle (CNPC)” and the “Fédération Professionelle des Entreprises du Sport et des Loisirs (FPS)” suggest.

While the sales of bicycles alone have slightly decreased by 1% to 2,785,300 bikes sold in 2013, this decline has been more than compensated by the rise in value per bike and, above all, an 8% rise in cycling equipment and accessories sales. Taken together, the combined sales of bicycles, cycling equipment and accessories have increased with 3.1% in 2013 compared to the year before, reaching a total turnover of 1.502 billion euro.

The positive development is particularly pronounced for innovative models like electrically assisted bicycles, whose sales have risen for the sixth year in a row with an impressive 17.5%.  For folding bicycles, the boost in sales is even higher: While remaining a niche product for the time being, with 29,300 units sold out of a total of 2,785,300 bikes, these handy travel companions, which can be transported as ordinary luggage on the Métro, trains, or even planes, have seen their sales increase by as much as 24%.

Urban bike sales on the rise in France

Bicycles produced for urban mobility purposes (including electrically assisted and folding bikes) have seen their market share increase by 2% to 12% of total bike sales, or 326,000 units in absolute numbers. While these figures are still rather modest compared to countries like the Netherlands, where “classic” city bikes alone account for around 50% of the market, the increase clearly indicates a rising demand for cycling not only as a leisure time activity, but also as a smart urban mobility solution in France.

Contrary to the situation in many other sectors of the retail market, small, specialised retailers have been able to defend their dominant position in selling bicycles, and in particular high-value bikes. They account for a share of 45% of the market in value (but only around 20% in volume), meaning that the bicycle economy supports local, small-scale businesses all around France – very good news in times of crisis.

CNPC/FPS press release (in French)