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Summary of our market study
The French market for bicycles is estimated at 2.4 billion euros, and for electric bikes, 1.5 billion euros.
The total market, including bicycles, electric bikes and parts and accessories, is worth around 3.6 billion euros.
The global market for electrically-assisted bicycles (EABs) is estimated at $38 billion , with an average annual growth rate of 15%.
In the European Union, sales reached around 5.5 million units in 2022, representing 37% of the total bicycle market by volume.
Both "velotaf" (commuting) and "velotourism" are on the rise, with a notable 15% increase in the use of bicycles for commuting in 2022, and sales of 4.6 billion euros for bicycle tourism.
Market distribution remains concentrated on retailers and multisport chains. The average price of EABs is around 2,000 euros. Electric cargo bikes are the most expensive, with an average price of 4,100 euros.
Electric models will account for more than half of all bicycles produced in the country by 2022.
Electric bike market players
- Cycles Lapierre
- Gitanes Cycles
- Vanmoof Dutch leader in dire straits
- Moustache Bikes - Ambassador of "Made in France
- Angell - working with MINI to introduce the MINI E-Bike
- Easybike Solex
- O2 Feel
- ISD
- Arcade Cycles
- Gaya Bike
- Neomouv
- Distributors, Go Sport, Decathlon, Intersport, Cyclable
- Upway reconditions bikes
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Market definition and scope
According to the French highway code, an electric bicycle or electrically assisted bicycle (VAE) is defined as " A cycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kilowatts, whose power is gradually reduced and finally cut off when the vehicle reaches a speed ofpower is gradually reduced and finally cut off when the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner if the cyclist stops pedaling " (Article R311-1 of the Highway Code, part 6.11). EABs are becoming increasingly popular, and the range of electric bicycles is expanding: there are electric VTCs, electric mountain bikes, electric cargo bikes, electric road bikes...
The global market for EABs is booming, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% up to 2032. This market experienced a significant acceleration in growth following the health crisis, which drove users away from public transport. Environmental awareness and the technological advances constantly being incorporated into new models are also contributing to the VAE boom.
The market for electric bicycles in France is evolving rapidly, with increasing adoption of electrically-assisted bicycles (EABs) as a sustainable mobility solution. By 2023, around 30% of bicycles sold were EABs, a figure that continues to rise, supported by government incentives such as purchase subsidies. Although sales have fallen back slightly, demand for VAEs remains strong, and French production is increasingly oriented towards these models. Some 53% of bicycles manufactured in France are now electric, reflecting a trend towards relocation and increased added value in this segment.
Despite heavy reliance on imports, the French market is expanding, with a number of new players appearing on the market every year, such as Moustache Bikes, one of the French leaders. We're even seeing collaborations between bike and car manufacturers, like Angell and MINI with the MINI E-Bike 1, linking the bicycle, the most purchased mode of transport in France, with the car, a mode of transport that is losing its appeal and undergoing electrification comparable to the bicycle sector. Reconditioned bicycles also appeal to the French because of their very attractive price, and some start-ups, such as Upway, are enjoying real success stories.
There are a large number of players in this sector who are trying to stand out from the crowd with their innovations, designs or arguments such as Made in France. However, competition is fierce and the models adopted by the various manufacturers are not always profitable, sometimes driving them into bankruptcy, as was recently the case for the Dutch brand VanMoof. The EAB market is therefore extremely dynamic and constantly evolving.
1.2 A fast-growing global market
The global EAB market was valued at $**.** billion in **** , and is expected to grow at a CAGR of **.*% to ****, reaching $***.* billion.
Projected size of the global EAB market World, **** - ****, in $ billions Source: ****
This market is therefore booming, and has benefited from the health crisis. Indeed, the public transport sector has ...
1.3 In France, a marked market slowdown
According to data from the Cycle Observatory ****, the sector is experiencing short-term economic difficulties linked to economic conditions. The energy crisis and the economic situation have prompted many French people to postpone the purchase of new bicycles. However, the medium-term outlook is encouraging, as evidenced by the figures for bicycle path ...
1.4 Balance of trade
EABs are identified by customs tariff number ******, which covers"Motorcycles, including mopeds, and cycles with auxiliary motor, propelled by an electric motor"[***]. Although this sector is broader than the market we're interested in, studying French imports and exports will give us the main trends in the EAB market.
French exports of France, ...
1.5 Interview with Adrien Lelièvre, journalist at Les Echos
Marine: Welcome to the niche, the podcast that analyzes the niche market with the entrepreneurs who are shaking things up. I'm Marine and I work at Businesscoot, the start-up that's dusting off market research. Before you start, subscribe to our podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast. And now for today's niche: ...
1.6 Comparison with the Dutch and German markets
The Dutch market:
Cycling is an essential activity in the Netherlands, where it occupies a prominent place in culture and modes of transport, illustrated by several key figures that testify to its importance in the country: around **% of Dutch people use bicycles as their main means of daily transport, while cycling ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Demand and its determinants
Bicycles are the best-selling means of transport in France, just ahead of scooters and cars.
Most popular means of transport in France France, ****, in Source: ****
The electric-assist bicycle market has two main outlets:
private individuals ; companies, which make them available to their employees.
Demand from the French will remain buoyant in ...
2.2 Year-round cycling
The data presented in the graph below reveal some interesting trends in the use of bicycles in France, for both personal and business trips. A significant proportion of the population, **%, never use a bicycle, while regular users, those who pedal at least once a week, represent **% of respondents. At the same ...
2.3 Vélotaf and vélotourisme: two growing trends
Velotaf:
Cycling remains a minority mode of transport to work compared with the car, involving less than *% of individuals despite annual sales exceeding those of cars[***]. Regular velotaf users are mainly men under ** living in urban areas with more than **,*** inhabitants, particularly in the Paris region. The growth of EABs could ...
2.4 The public sector plays a key role in the development of this market
The public sector has an important role to play in the development of the bicycle sector in France, which is not yet the case according to **% of French people.
In your opinion, does France encourage the use of bicycles as a means of transport? France, ****, in Source: ****
To remedy this situation, ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Value chain
The value chain for electric bicycles comprises several key stages, from the acquisition of raw materials to delivery to end consumers. Raw materials are first processed by parts and accessories manufacturers, often located in Asia. These components are then assembled in bicycle manufacturing plants. Once the bikes are finished, they are ...
3.2 National production in decline
Domestic bicycle production has been growing for several years. It is driven in particular by the electric bicycle, which overtook the conventional bicycle for the first time in **** in terms of the number of units produced.
Cycle production in France France, ****-****, in thousands of units Source: ****
As bicycle sales have ...
3.3 Distribution focused on retailers and multisport chains
The chart below shows that specialist retailers and multi-sport chains each account for **% of VAE sales volume. Other channels, such as food superstores, online sales and sports superstores, each account for just *% of sales volume. This shows that consumers prefer to buy their bikes in specialist or multi-sport stores, probably for ...
3.4 A market dominated by mountain bikes
By ****, the French EAB market will be dominated by VTCs, which will account for **% of market volumes.
EAB sales by product category France, ****, in % of volume Source: ****
3.5 Overview of market players
In order to legally use the words "Made in France" on a product, a substantial part of the added value must be created in France. In the case of bicycle manufacturing, the fact that the assembly is carried out in France is sufficient to communicate the Made in France label, but ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Offer typology
4.2 Consistent average prices
EABs come in a wide range of prices, from €*** (***) to €**,***, exceeding the price of some car models. According to Capital, the average cost of a good electric bike is just under €*,***. As the quality of the bike increases, so do prices, due to rising production costs and the price of the ...
4.3 Battery type has a major influence on final price
VAE batteries can vary in voltage. The most commonly used are ** and ** V. However, **.* and ** V batteries are also available. According toAvem, the four most common battery categories for electric-assist bicycles are as follows:
" Lead-acid or lead gel batteries (***) and a lifespan of around *** charge/discharge cycles
Nickel-metal hydride (***) and ...
4.4 Ongoing innovations in the sector encourage the emergence of new players
In such a fast-growing sector, many players are seeking to enter this segment, and are setting themselves apart with innovations.
Several players, for example, offer the possibility of converting conventional bicycles into EABs, which represents an advantage in terms of price. Two English startups, Rubbee and Revos, have developed small, removable ...
4.5 The electric cargo bike explosion
The cargo bike is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, sometimes electric, designed to carry heavier loads than a conventional bicycle. Cargo bikes are used for a variety of purposes, the most common of which are :
cargo bikes for urban cleaning ; food bikes (***); goods transport/delivery bikes.
The growing demand for electric ...
5 Regulations
5. Current regulations
All electric vehicles, including VAEs, must be homologated.
Whether in France, Belgium or Switzerland, it's important to have homologation certification to be able to drive. Generally speaking, it's the seller who has to provide this document. Alternatively, you can contact an organization such as LNE, UTAC or CRITT, whose homologation certificate ...
6 Positioning the players
6. Segmentation
- Velo Electrique France.fr
- Go Sport France
- Easybike Solex - Rebirth Groupe
- O2Feel
- ISD (INDUSTRIE SERVICE DEBEAU)
- Vélo Batterie- Batteries Prod
- Bybike.fr
- Angell Bike (Zebra)
- Cyclable
- Motto
- Upway
- VelyVelo
- Redwill
- Dance Vélo
- Arcade Cycles
- Velco tech
- Gaya Bike
- Neomouv
- Batteries Prod
- Haibike
- Cube Bikes
- Lapierre Cycles (Accell Group)
- Giant Bicycles
- Look Cycle
- Canyon
- Le Marché du Vélo
- Moustache Bikes
- Sunn
- Gitane Cycles
- Vanmoof
- Morio
- 279 le marché du vélo électrique en France
- Decathlon Groupe
- Intersport International
- Altermove (Mobivia Groupe)
- Mobivia Groupe (Norauto, Midas)
- SEB Groupe
- Stations Bee's
- Voltaire Vélo
- Plume Mobility
- Smovengo Velib
- HubUR
List of charts presented in this market study
- Number of e-bikes
- Projecting the size of the global ECV market
- Number of electrically-assisted bicycles (EABs) sold
- Best-selling means of transport in France
- Monthly breakdown of passages
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Latest news
Bicycle specialist Rebirth confirms takeover of Cycleurope and retains full workforce - 26/09/2024
- Rebirth Group takes over Cycleurope
- - Acquisition of Cycleurope's plant in Romilly-sur-Seine (Aube)
- - Rebirth already owns a plant in Saint-Lô (Manche).
- - Rebirth acquires the Gitane brand.
- - Signature of an assembly and distribution contract for Peugeot bicycles with Stellantis until 2025.
- - Rebirth acquires the Velo & Oxygen network of affiliated stores.
- - Rebirth's objectives: to master the entire manufacturing chain (design, component assembly, bike customization) and offer mobility solutions tailored to local communities.
- - Cycleurope is the assembler of Véligo bicycles for the Île-de-France region.
Lapierre continues to assemble its bicycles in Dijon. - 13/09/2024
- -Accell group debt: over 1 billion euros.
- - Buyout of parent company in early 2022: 1.7 billion euros by investors led by KKR.
- - Accell production sites: - Hungary for all electric-assist bicycles. - Turkey for aluminum models. - Netherlands for Dutch brands. - Dijon (Lapierre) for high-end products, 20,000 to 25,000 bikes per year.
- - Lapierre in Dijon, sales platform for several Accell group brands.
HubUR: the electric bike without the battery - 01/07/2024
- - Electric bicycle powered by a fuel cell
- - Hydrogen cartridge range: 50 km
- - Cartridge charge time: 5 hours
- - Retail price for individuals and companies: €5500 ex VAT
- - Price of hydrogen cartridge: €130
Electric bikes: VanMoof makes a new start - 28/05/2024
- Number of users won over by VanMoof: over 200,000.
- Initial selling price of VanMoof bicycles: around 2,200-2,500 euros.
- Number of employees retained after takeover by McLaren Applied: 100 of the original 700.
- New price for VanMoof 5 (VM5): 3,300 euros.
Angell: Marc Simoncini's bikes get a fresh start - 30/04/2024
- - Angell was founded 5 years ago.
- - Angell sells electric bikes at prices up to 3,000 euros.
- - Collaboration with the BMW Group to offer a range of bikes under the Mini brand.
- -launch of two new models in the near future, priced at 2,200 euros and 2,700 euros.
- - The bikes are sold via the Angell website and in around 60 Mini dealerships, with a planned extension to around 50 cycle stores.
- - Rental offer at 99 euros per month in partnership with Motto.
- - Around 6,000 Angell bikes in circulation to date.
Electric bikes: when Chinese imports tear apart the European industry - 30/04/2024
- - The European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA) represents around 1,000 SMEs in the bicycle industry (electric and components) in 23 of the 27 EU member states.
- - Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of e-bikes and essential parts from China were introduced in 2019.
- - China's support policy for the battery and electric motor industry receives preferential treatment under the "Made in China 2025" plan.
- - The Light Electric Vehicle Association-EU (LEVA-EU) has over 70 members, mainly assemblers of electric bicycles, scooters and scooters.
- - The anti-dumping duties imposed vary from 10% to 70%, depending on the Chinese exporter of the parts.
- - To be exempt from these anti-dumping duties, a final product from a European assembler must contain no more than 60% Chinese components, or the assembler must generate 25% added value on the final product.
- - The European Commission's decision on whether or not to extend these trade measures is expected towards the end of this year.
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