On the occasion of World Bicycle Day, we delve into the 2022 EU bicycle trade. 

In 2022, the EU exported €1.1 billion worth of bicycles (both electric and non-electric) (+22% compared with 2021). The imports amounted to more than double the exports, with €2.5 billion worth of bicycles (+32%). The overall increase in the trade value of bicycles can be attributed to an increase in the trade of electric bicycles, which are typically more expensive. 

Source dataset: DS-045409

A further look into the 2022 data shows that the EU exported 365 thousand electric bicycles (+16% compared with 2021) and imported 1.2 million electric bicycles (+16%). Meanwhile, the EU exported 1 million non-electric bicycles (-31% compared with 2021) and imported 5.2 million (-9%). 

Source dataset: DS-045409

Switzerland and the UK lead destinations for exports

In 2022, Switzerland was the main destination for EU exports of non-electric bicycles (25% of the extra-EU total, measured in value), followed by the United Kingdom (23%), and the United States (7%). 

For exports of electric bicycles, Switzerland and the UK were also the main destinations (38% and 27% of total extra-EU electric bicycle exports, respectively), followed by the United States (13%) and Norway (9%).

Cambodia and Taiwan: main sources of bicycle imports

In 2022, EU imports of non-electric bicycles came mainly from Cambodia (30% of total extra-EU bicycle imports), Taiwan (23%), China (11%), Bangladesh (10%) and Türkiye (6%). 

Meanwhile, imports of electric bicycles into the EU came primarily from Taiwan (56% of total extra-EU electric bicycle imports), followed by Vietnam (14%), Switzerland (13%), China (8%) and Türkiye (5%).