With the annual cycling event Velofollies behind us, it's time to take stock. An enthusiastic gathering of cycling enthusiasts observed that the popularity of bicycles continues to grow year after year. However, there are some shifts here and there. Let's assess the current situation.
The regular growth is back and stronger than ever. According to a new market research conducted by the sector federation TraxioVelo, it has been revealed that in 2023, a total of 606,017 bicycles were sold across Belgian counters, marking a 6% increase compared to 2019. The previous year had seen slightly higher numbers, but wholesale transactions in 2022 presented a distorted picture due to inventory growth at most retailers
Remarkably, Belgians are increasingly opting for high-quality bicycle types. In 2023, e-bikes, accounting for 51.2% of total bike sales, surpassed traditional mechanical bikes for the first time. In the sports segment, the classic mountain bike lost ground to the gravel bike. The number of sold mountain bikes decreased from 89,000 to 54,000, while gravel bikes increased from 18,000 to 19,000. The road bike remains the absolute leader with 71,000 units sold. In the e-bike segment, the e-longtail claimed the title of the fastest-growing category, doubling from 3,000 to 6,000 units sold within a year.
The future also comes with a saddle and two wheels. The same Traxio survey indicates that nearly 50% of consumers, starting from 2024, plan to purchase a bicycle, whether it's a new acquisition or a replacement. Perhaps this trend is attributed to the increased bicycle allowance. Could the decline in company car popularity be a contributing factor? Indeed, in 2023, for the first time, the percentage of private sector employees receiving a company car as part of their salary package decreased from 14.8% to 14.6%. More and more employees are discovering the benefits of a leased bicycle, and we can't blame them.
If you want to stay up-to-date with trends and technical innovations in the world of bicycles, Bram Cours is our expert and will be happy to provide you with more information about bikes
Source: De Standaard, Traxio Velo
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