Bicycle sales outpace car sales across Europe

Bicycle sales are on the rise all across Europe.

In every country in the European Union, except for Belgium and Luxembourg, bicycle sales have been outpacing new car sales. In Spain, this is the first time bikes have sold more than cars, and it’s the first time since the end of the Second World War that bike sales have been higher than new car sales in Italy.

Similar trends are seen in Canada. According to the 2006 and 2011 censuses, bicycle commuting increased in all of Canada’s major cities except for Calgary between 2006 and 2011.

There are multiple issues contributing to the surge in cyclist traffic.

Car sales across the EU plummeted by 20 per cent after the 2008 recession set in. The drop in sales compounded with rising fuel and vehicle taxes sent commuters looking for other, cheaper methods of transportation.

Further, younger generations are less interested in owning vehicles. In rising numbers, in Europe and North America, young professionals are moving to cities where public transportation, walking and cycling make more sense than driving.