Soon every second bike sold will be an e-bike
According to the annual survey by the Swiss bicycle supplier association Velosuisse, almost every second bicycle sold is an e-bike. In 2024, 341,142 bicycles (55%) and e-bikes (45%) were delivered to the bicycle trade in Switzerland. That is around 54,000 fewer vehicles or a drop of 13.6% compared to the previous year. Not all areas recorded a decline: sales of e-gravel bikes almost quadrupled to just under 1000 units. E-road bikes (+27%) and e-cargo bikes (+23.7%) also increased significantly. While deliveries of all e-bikes fell by 12 percent to 151,772 units, motorless bikes lost 15 percent to 189,370 units. The number of bicycles thus grew to around 5.2 million, while the number of e-bikes rose to 1.4 million.
(SFVE) After the fantastic growth rates in the coronavirus years 2000 to 2022, the bicycle industry has been in a consolidation phase since 2023. A certain degree of market saturation, cooled consumer sentiment and the completely rainy springs in the two previous years contributed to the fact that the high stock levels from the coronavirus re-deliveries could not be reduced to the desired extent. The various bicycle segments were affected quite uniformly. Sports bikes as well as leisure and everyday bikes with equipment (mudguards, lights, luggage racks) fell by 15 percent. The picture was less uniform for e-bikes: the decline was 10 percent for sports e-bikes and 13 percent for everyday e-bikes. E-bikes45, which were still the big winners the year before last with an increase of 16.6%, fell by 21% in 2024.
On the other hand, sales of repairs continued to increase slightly on the previous year, as Robert Weishaupt, President of 2Rad Schweiz and himself the owner of a specialist bicycle store, reports. However, he says that work varied greatly depending on the store and brand. The same picture can also be seen in sales, where in some cases significant losses were recorded. In general, Weishaupt has noticed great pressure on margins. He says: "When major distributors sell off business areas and sell off or even liquidate entire bike shop chains, the entire industry feels the price erosion." Nevertheless, Weishaupt is positive about the future: "In many cantons, more people are cycling to work. This trend will increase in the future. We are already noticing this in our business."
E-bike safer than a bicycle
A glance across the border shows that Switzerland lags behind its neighboring countries in terms of safety for two-wheelers and economic support. The accident figures recently published by FEDRO suggest that e-bike riding is more dangerous than purely muscle-powered cycling. What is not mentioned is that e-bikes are used much more frequently than bicycles and cover around three times as much distance. In terms of kilometers ridden, e-bikes are even safer than bicycles, which is not without a certain logic.
E-bikes generally have more stable frames, wheels and tires and usually also have more powerful brakes, which can now even be equipped with ABS. In addition, a globally unique daytime running light requirement for e-bikes was introduced in Switzerland in 2023. The average speed actually ridden as reported by the Federal Statistical Office differs only marginally: bicycles at 12.8 km/h compared to e-bikes25 at 14.6 km/h. It is often assumed that e-bikers involved in accidents are incapable of riding. However, the average speeds determined by the FSO suggest that external influences such as a lack of or dangerous cycle path infrastructure and the behavior of other road users can also play a decisive role in accidents.
Politicians have the power to immediately improve the safety of two-wheelers with free and simple means. In many EU countries, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters is prescribed when overtaking 2-wheelers. The same applies to turning lorries in towns and villages. So far, politicians have seen no reason to respond to these demands from cycling circles and thus continue to accept avoidable deaths and serious injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.
Economically, too, there is still scope for action in Switzerland to promote cycling, as a look at Germany shows. A few days ago, the Zweirad Industrie-Verband ZIV published its annual figures. The fact that these only fell by 2.5 percent in 2024 is also due to the introduction of the "Jobrad" tax relief scheme, which allows employees to lease a bicycle or e-bike through their employer, similar to a company car. The employee benefits from being able to lease the bike at reduced rates and also use it privately. It is part of the salary, brings tax savings and promotes health when used. The offer is popular, as the ZIV figures show.
March 14, 2025