Sales of electric bicycles continued to grow in France in 2022 (+12% over one year) at the expense of traditional bicycles (-13%), according to figures published on Thursday by Union Sport & Cycle, which represents the sector. .
After crazy years in 2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the French bicycle market experienced a more moderate rise in 2022: its value increased by 5.2%, but the number of bicycles sold fell. by 7% over one year to 2,596,199 units.
The French cycle market now represents 3.6 billion euros, including maintenance and the sale of accessories.
In total, 738,454 electric-assisted bicycles (VAE) were sold during the year, i.e. more than one in four bicycles, distributed mainly to bicycle dealers, specialists in the sale and repair of cycles. They are still (slightly) ahead of electric scooters in French purchases.
Much more expensive than their “muscular” ancestors, and heavily subsidized, the VAE sold on average at 1,965 euros.
All categories of classic bicycles are in decline – especially in large retailers – starting with children’s bicycles (686,000 units, -136,000 over one year).
The only ones to progress are the “gravel”, a niche of versatile bikes fashionable among sportsmen.
Bicycle production in France was once once more driven by electrics, at more than 850,000 units (+7%), and the sector aims to pass the 900,000 mark in 2023.
Imports of complete bicycles from Italy, Romania, Portugal or Taiwan still represent the majority of the market, but they have fallen by 7%.
