Just as many other businesses across Europe and the world, the sectors of the cycling economy are hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. However, a large majority of companies remain confident about their survival, and new opportunities might arise during the recovery phase – especially if decision-makers in economic policy follow expert recommendations to put a stronger focus on sustainability.

The forced closing of shops, collapsing demand, and the disruption of supply chains around the globe are currently affecting the bicycle industry and its various sub-sectors. In a unique survey carried out by ECF’s partner organisation Cycling Industries Europe (CIE), 72% of companies reported a revenue decline compared to last year. 41% of companies have already reduced their workforce, which could mean over 20,000 jobs reduced in the cycling industry and service sector, in addition to over 400,000 jobs already at risk in cycling tourism.

Alongside these big challenges for the sector, the survey has also revealed some glimmers of hope: 67% of companies have applied for or were already able to receive some form of state aid, in most cases supporting wages. Most importantly, 95% of companies stated that they believe to be likely or very likely to survive the crisis.

Cycling as a resilient and healthy transport mode during the crisis

There is reason for cautious optimism: During the coronavirus crisis, cycling has proven to be a resilient transport mode which is also beneficial for public health – two of the major benefits of cycling identified earlier by ECF. It makes it easier to respect social distancing and helps to keep the cardiovascular system and the lungs healthy, preventing diseases and protecting the body from infections. The German minister of health therefore recommended to use the bicycle for essential trips already in March, and he was followed in April by his Spanish colleague. In European cities like Paris and London, bike share system operations have been maintained as a safer alternative to public transport, and initiatives like free subscriptions for health care workers have been put in place by operators.

Cycling advocates have done their share to make sure that cycling-related services are recognised as being essential during the crisis: ECF and CONEBI have published a statement asking for bicycle repair services to be allowed to operate throughout the crisis in all EU countries; German ECF member ADFC together with national industry associations has successfully called for bicycle shops to be among the first ones to reopen without restrictions on shop size; and CIE, ECF, CONEBI together with other European associations have launched the #CyclingTheExtraMile campaign, highlighting cycling initiatives and cycling businesses who support their communities, health and care workers, and other essential services during the COVID19 pandemic.

New opportunities for more sustainable mobility in the recovery

Looking beyond the current severe restrictions on mobility in many European countries, new opportunities for cycling might arise during the recovery phase. Currently, cities like Berlin and Paris have started to use “tactical urbanism” techniques to install additional bike lanes in order to accommodate the increase in cyclists following the recommendations mentioned above. There is a substantial chance that these new infrastructures will stay also after the lockdowns have been removed, improving conditions for cycling in the long term and increasing the demand for bicycles and related services. In Denmark, the goverment's recovery package for the next years includes funding for ECF member organisation Cyklistforbundet to build up a centre of expertise to increase cycling to work. Also, in the tourism sector, experts predict a higher demand for trips closer to home, avoiding big concentrations of travellers. This includes a higher demand for cycling tourism, which meets these criteria perfectly and is in addition offering more active and sustainable vacation choices.

However, the recovery phase will to a large extent be shaped not only by users’ and consumers’ changes in behaviour and demand, but also by the economic policies put in place. Numerous experts, including the German National Academy of Sciences in its report for the German government, have called upon politicians to not abandon sustainability and climate protection goals for the sake of a short-term rebound in growth, but to integrate them into their economic recovery plans and to set the course for sustainable growth with even more emphasis than before the crisis. This has also been echoed in a call by the “Green Recovery Alliance” to support and implement the establishment of Green Recovery Investment Packages, and a call by 13 EU climate and environment ministers to put the European Green Deal at the centre of a resilient recovery after Covid-19.

ECF and its partners in the cycling industry will advocate for these calls to be translated into substantial investments in active and sustainable mobility, with a prominent role for cycling, at the European level, for example in the framework of the European Green Deal. We will make sure that the current renewed interest in cycling will have positive impacts in the long term, improving conditions for cycling and sustainable mobility all around Europe, and contributing to a green European recovery.