H. Yoo
Research expert covering South Korea
E-bikes in Europe - statistics & facts
The shift to e-bikes is the most impactful trend in the European bicycle market in recent years, changing who is buying bicycles, their average cost, as well as the maintenance and repair market. In some countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, e-bikes now make up around half of all new bikes sold each year. In fact, while the market recorded a small decline in unit sales in 2024, electric bicycles still represent the largest share of the overall bicycle market revenue. Forecasts project this trend will grow stronger through 2030, due to a slow decrease in the market size for regular bicycles, while e-bikes are estimated to maintain their revenue consistently above 15 billion U.S. dollars.
Electric bikes can be broadly divided into two categories: basic pedelecs, or electronically power-assisted cycles (EPACs), and speed pedelecs with significantly more power. Though all e-bikes have a motor that supports the rider's propulsion and pedals that function as on a regular bike, the amount of power capability can vary greatly. The first category – basic pedelecs – are legally classed as bicycles in most European countries. On these bikes, the rider is assisted by the motor while pedaling, but the motor stops providing pedal assistance when the rider ceases to pedal or reaches 25 km/h or 15.5mph. The second category – speed pedelecs – consist of more powerful e-bikes, allowing riders to reach much higher speeds; some can even provide power when the rider stops pedaling. Due to these features, speed pedelecs are legally classified as a type of moped or motorcycle and are, therefore, often more strictly regulated.
EPACs are the primary driver in the electric bicycle boom. In the Netherlands, where e-bikes now make up nearly 80 percent of the sales value of new bicycles, EPACs vastly outnumber speed pedelecs. Due to their dominance in the market, the term e-bike or electric bike is often used colloquially to refer exclusively to EPACs.
What is an e-bike?
While e-bikes are becoming increasingly common on European roads, there remains some confusion about their definition as well as their legal status on the road.Electric bikes can be broadly divided into two categories: basic pedelecs, or electronically power-assisted cycles (EPACs), and speed pedelecs with significantly more power. Though all e-bikes have a motor that supports the rider's propulsion and pedals that function as on a regular bike, the amount of power capability can vary greatly. The first category – basic pedelecs – are legally classed as bicycles in most European countries. On these bikes, the rider is assisted by the motor while pedaling, but the motor stops providing pedal assistance when the rider ceases to pedal or reaches 25 km/h or 15.5mph. The second category – speed pedelecs – consist of more powerful e-bikes, allowing riders to reach much higher speeds; some can even provide power when the rider stops pedaling. Due to these features, speed pedelecs are legally classified as a type of moped or motorcycle and are, therefore, often more strictly regulated.
EPACs are the primary driver in the electric bicycle boom. In the Netherlands, where e-bikes now make up nearly 80 percent of the sales value of new bicycles, EPACs vastly outnumber speed pedelecs. Due to their dominance in the market, the term e-bike or electric bike is often used colloquially to refer exclusively to EPACs.
What impact can consumers have on the market?
While the e-bike market is growing, regular bicycles remain the staple in European households, with nearly six in 10 consumers reporting owning at least one standard bicycle, compared to two in 10 consumers mentioning the same about e-bikes. However, a sizable share of e-bike owners have been making more use of their electric bicycles than they did five years before January 2024, while standard bicycles did not record an increase in use as noteworthy. This highlights the potential of the market for growth, including in the bicycle leasing segment. . With revenue continuing to grow, electric bikes are now solidly established as part of the European bicycle market and are likely to substantially impact the future cycling habits of Europeans.
