Development Prospects of the Bicycle Industry
Release Time:
2026-06-20
Source:
In-depth Analysis of China–Europe Cycling Industry Data: The Two-Wheel Drive System Sector Sees Global Growth Opportunities
I. Report Background: Cycling Counts Establishes a Standardized Data Benchmark for the EU Cycling Industry
In December 2025, the final EU report on the cycling sector, “Cycling Counts,” jointly prepared by Rupprecht Consult and several other institutions, was officially released. This report represents the European Union’s first unified, standardized cycling monitoring framework, centered around… Cycling networks, cycling usage, cycling safety, and cycling support services Drawing on four core dimensions, the study conducted a comprehensive survey across all 27 EU member states, establishing a long-term, comparable industry data baseline while providing quantitative evidence to support transport planning, bicycle‑industry development, and the implementation of green and low‑carbon policies in European countries.
The report clearly outlines four core research objectives: to map the existing cycling infrastructure across the European Union, to quantify residents’ cycling travel patterns, to standardize the methodology for recording cycling‑related accidents, and to assess the current state of downstream services such as bike‑sharing, cycling‑based logistics, and parking facilities. In addition to providing a wealth of industry benchmark data, the report offers tiered implementation recommendations tailored to EU member states, regional cities, industry players, and transport authorities, thereby establishing itself as an authoritative barometer for the European bicycle and e‑bike markets.

II. Breakdown of Core Data in the EU Cycling Market: Underlying Industry Demand Continues to Expand
(1) With the cycling network infrastructure now well-established, the gap in dedicated bike lanes creates long-term growth potential.
The report’s statistics show that the European Union The dedicated cycling network (including separate bike lanes and pavement‑marked cycling routes) spans a total of 342,931 kilometers. Among these, 312,115 kilometers are dedicated bike lanes and 308,160 kilometers are segregated, protected bike paths. If mixed‑traffic, cycling‑friendly roads are included, the total length of the expanded cycling network approaches 974,300 kilometers, covering urban, peri‑urban, and rural settings. Regionally, urban bike lanes account for 80,777 kilometers, suburban and town routes span 136,964 kilometers, and rural cycling infrastructure totals 94,198 kilometers, with a gradually more balanced distribution between urban and rural areas.
However, the report also highlights a substantial additional demand for infrastructure: if the EU as a whole were to achieve the same level of cycling‑network density as the Netherlands, an extra 1.16 million kilometers of dedicated bike lanes would be required; even to merely double the share of trips made by bicycle, an additional 425,000 kilometers of dedicated cycling infrastructure would be needed. The ongoing expansion of cycling networks directly fuels sustained, stable long-term demand for key components such as complete bicycles, cranksets, chainrings, freewheels, and electric‑assist drive systems.
At the data level, only 19 EU member states currently possess valid national-level cycling‑network datasets, and just 9 of these can serve as industry benchmarks. Among the 90 datasets at the regional and local levels, only 36 are amenable to standardized analysis, highlighting that European countries still have substantial room for large‑scale construction and upgrading of cycling infrastructure.

(2) The penetration rate of cycling among the general public remains stable, with commuting by bike becoming the mainstream mode of travel.
Mobility data show that 23.6% of EU residents cycle at least once a week, with pronounced gender disparities: the weekly cycling participation rate is 27.6% among men and 20% among women. For short trips under 300 kilometers, cycling accounts for 7.8% of all trips, with men making up 9.2% of these trips and women 6.3%, indicating that cycling has become deeply integrated into everyday commuting.
According to the survey sample, only 23 EU member states conduct regular travel surveys; among them, just seven fully cover all core cycling indicators. Furthermore, only 12 countries have updated their most recent travel data since 2021. Looking ahead, the EU plans to implement a unified, continent-wide cycling census every three years, continuously unlocking the potential of cycling‑related consumption. The large and growing cycling population is steadily driving demand for mountain bikes, road bikes, children’s bicycles, electric‑assist complete bikes, and related drivetrain components.
(3) Cycling safety standards remain to be standardized, and the specialized statistical system for electric-assist bicycles is gradually being refined.
The safety domain is a key area of focus for the European Union: national statistics on cycling fatalities are standardized and highly reliable, yet inconsistencies in the criteria for classifying injuries as minor, serious, or severe, coupled with the lack of data sharing between traffic police and hospitals, prevent cross‑border comparisons of injury data. At present, only seven EU member states have independently established registries for electric bicycle collision incidents, and five countries have implemented geographic mapping of such accidents.
The report introduces a unified industry benchmark: by Number of fatalities and serious injuries per 100 million kilometers of cycling distance As a core safety assessment standard, a unified MAIS3+ criterion for classifying severe injuries will be rolled out across the European Union. With the number of electric-assist bicycles steadily increasing, countries are tightening their regulations on e‑bike safety and strengthening requirements for component durability; as a result, high‑quality carbon‑fiber cranksets, high‑strength chainrings, and robust belt‑drive systems will become even more competitive in the market.
(4) Diversified development of cycling-related services, with bike-sharing and cargo‑delivery cycling opening up new growth areas.
1. The bike-sharing market All 289 cities in the European Union with populations exceeding 150,000 have deployed bike-sharing services, operating a total of 302,757 bicycles, including 127,725 electric-assist bikes, which account for 42% of the fleet. Throughout the year, bike-sharing trips totaled 202 million, yet they represented only 0.96% of all cycling trips across the EU, indicating substantial room for further market penetration. Twenty-two member states maintain comprehensive data on fleet sizes, and nineteen countries can track trip‑level ride data; standardized operations are driving continuous upgrades to the components and technologies powering shared vehicles.
2. Cycling Logistics (Cargo Bicycles) Short‑distance cargo bikes represent the fastest‑growing segment in Europe, yet industry data remain extremely limited. Only Belgium, France, and Germany have established comprehensive statistical systems: in France, there are 2.1 cargo bikes per 10,000 people, with annual cycling mileage totaling 930 million kilometers; in Belgium, the figure is 4.6 bikes per 10,000, generating 10 million kilometers annually; and in Germany, it stands at 0.14 bikes per 10,000, with 1 billion kilometers cycled each year. Urban delivery and last‑mile logistics demand are driving strong growth in heavy‑duty cranksets, high‑strength flywheels, and specialized electric‑assist drive kits.
3. Cycling Parking Facilities According to statistics from the open-source map OSM, the European Union currently has approximately 4.5 million public bicycle parking spaces, with 80% of them equipped with capacity‑monitoring data. On average, there are 10.1 parking spots for every 100 kilometers of cycling infrastructure. As urban cycling amenities continue to improve, barriers to cycling travel are further reduced, boosting demand for complete bicycles and related components.
III. Benchmarking the Domestic Cycling Industry: A Super-Large-Scale Market, with Indigenous Advantages in Two-Wheel Drive Systems Becoming Increasingly Prominent
In contrast to the European Union’s standardized cycling‑statistics framework, China’s cycling industry has forged a path of differentiated development, leveraging its large population base and the widespread adoption of electric bicycles. The Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport, the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, the China Bicycle Association, and the General Administration of Sport of China have successively released numerous industry reports, comprehensively mapping the domestic market landscape.
(1) Cycling Infrastructure: Greenways continue to expand, and urban non-motorized vehicle lanes are being comprehensively rolled out.
China has not yet established a nationwide, standardized tally of the total mileage of dedicated bicycle lanes; however, local infrastructure projects have yielded remarkable results: Beijing has built 60.6 kilometers of segregated bike lanes and widened or upgraded 329.9 kilometers of non-motorized vehicle lanes, while Guangzhou’s network of non-motorized vehicle lanes on primary and secondary arterial roads now exceeds 2,900 kilometers. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, an additional 25,000 kilometers of urban greenways are expected to be added nationwide, further expanding the slow‑mobility transportation network. Unlike the European Union, which prioritizes dedicated lanes for human-powered bicycles, China’s non-motorized vehicle lanes accommodate both conventional bicycles and electric bikes, offering a clear advantage in terms of extensive route coverage and steadily boosting domestic demand for universal cranksets, freewheels, and electric-assist drive kits.
(2) The scale of cycling travel is among the largest worldwide, with two-wheeled transportation becoming residents’ primary mode for short-distance trips.
In terms of vehicle stock, China’s total number of conventional bicycles exceeds 200 million, while electric bicycles top 380 million—far surpassing the EU market. Among urban residents, two-wheeled travel (bicycles and e‑bikes) accounts for 30% of short-distance trips. Key cities show particularly strong performance: in 2024, Beijing recorded a 20% share of bicycle‑only trips, with non‑motorized travel accounting for 50.1% overall; across 36 major cities nationwide, the average share of green travel stands at 73.9%. The number of regular cyclists has exceeded 100 million, with over 18 million dedicated cycling enthusiasts, and demand continues to rise for mountain bikes, road bikes, high‑end carbon‑fiber component sets, and children’s bike accessories.
The scale of cycling‑related services dwarfs that of Europe, driven by the dual engines of electric bikes and instant logistics.
1. Shared two-wheeled vehicles Across the country, the total number of shared bicycles and shared e‑bikes in circulation has exceeded 12 million, with an average of 24 million rides per day. Annual ridership surpasses 8.7 billion trips, with each ride averaging 1.5 kilometers and lasting 12.1 minutes. Shared mobility delivers significant low‑carbon benefits, with users reducing their carbon footprint by an average of 39 kilograms per person per year. Ongoing green policies continue to support the renewal and replacement of shared fleets, driving substantial orders for cost‑effective drive systems.
2. Same-city logistics via cycling China’s instant‑delivery sector is well established, with electric-assist bicycles enjoying extremely high penetration in the food‑delivery, fresh‑produce, and small‑parcel‑shipping markets. Although there are currently no nationwide official statistics, market demand remains substantial, driving steady demand for heavy‑duty, durable electric‑assist cranksets, cranks, and belt‑drive systems.
3. Cycling Parking Infrastructure Currently, there are no nationwide, standardized survey data on parking spaces; however, major cities mandate the provision of non-motorized vehicle parking areas in new residential developments, commercial districts, and transportation hubs, and parking infrastructure continues to improve, thereby lowering the barriers to cycling.
(4) Industry Weaknesses and Common Development Challenges
The Chinese and European markets share similar pain points: neither has established a unified national or EU‑wide standard for cycling safety statistics, and traffic accident classification criteria vary across regions. Moreover, fragmented data on logistics‑related cycling and parking infrastructure hinder fine‑grained industry planning. At the same time, each market exhibits distinct characteristics: the EU market is dominated by human‑powered commuter bikes and specialized sport models, with strong premium demand for high‑end carbon‑fiber component sets and belt‑drive systems; in contrast, China boasts extremely widespread adoption of electric two‑wheelers, with robust domestic demand for e‑assist drive systems, children’s bike accessories, and cost‑effective drivetrain kits. Furthermore, Chinese manufacturers enjoy a comprehensive supply‑chain advantage, making the country a global hub for two‑wheel drive system production.
IV. Industry Outlook Analysis: With the surge in global demand, Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment is poised to capture industry‑wide benefits.
Drawing on authoritative cycling data from the Chinese and European markets, the global bicycle and e‑bike industries exhibit a clear, long-term growth trajectory, with the company’s core business centered on full‑range two‑wheel vehicle drive systems. Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment Co., Ltd. , precisely aligning with the differentiated demands of both domestic and international markets, with ample room for growth across various segments.
Incremental Opportunities in Overseas EU Markets
1. Long-term expansion of cycling infrastructure: The EU needs to add millions of kilometers of dedicated bike lanes, and the goal of doubling cycling trips will drive sustained growth in the bicycle market, with steady increases in orders for mountain bike and road bike cranksets and cassette sprockets.
2. Rising penetration of electric-assist bicycles: In the EU, electric-assist bikes account for 42% of the shared‑bike market, and consumer e‑bikes are becoming increasingly popular year after year, driving sustained growth in demand for electric-assist cranksets and complete drivetrain systems.
3. The Blue-Ocean Market for Cargo Bicycles: In Belgium, France, and Germany, cargo cycling has already achieved significant scale. Many European countries are vigorously supporting low-carbon urban logistics, driving rapid growth in demand for heavy-duty electric-assist cranksets and high-strength belt‑drive systems.
4. Strong demand for high-end sports bicycles: With a large base of cycling enthusiasts in Europe and North America, lightweight carbon‑fiber cranksets and chainrings offer high value-added features and constitute a core profit‑driving product category for international trade.
The domestic market remains a stable foundation.
1. Normalization of mass cycling: Over 100 million daily cyclists and 18 million dedicated enthusiasts; an upgrade in the market for mountain and road sports bikes, driving increased demand for high-end drivetrain components.
2. Steady, essential demand in the children’s bike market: China’s children’s bicycle market is substantial, with dedicated cranksets and chainrings for kids’ bikes enjoying consistently strong sales year after year.
3. Stock replacement of electric-assist two-wheelers: 380 million electric bicycles are entering their replacement cycle, and demand for replacing shared e‑bikes and home‑use electric-assist bike drive systems continues to grow.
4. Ongoing support from green policies: Across the country, there is strong momentum in promoting non-motorized transport and low-carbon travel. As a key pillar of green mobility, two-wheeled vehicles continue to benefit from favorable industrial policies that support both upstream and downstream component manufacturers.
(3) Jiankun’s product portfolio is perfectly aligned with global market demand.
Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment Co., Ltd. has established itself as a leader in the two-wheeled vehicle drive‑system sector, offering a comprehensive product portfolio that spans all major market segments both domestically and internationally.
1. Professional cycling kit: includes cranksets, cranks, and freewheels for mountain bikes and road bikes, tailored to the European and American sports bike market.
2. Lightweight, high-end products: carbon‑fiber cranksets and carbon‑fiber chainrings, catering to the evolving consumption preferences of Europe’s premium cycling enthusiasts.
3. Full-range electric-assist drive solutions: E‑BIKE drive systems and dedicated e‑bike cranksets, compatible with EU‑compliant consumer e‑bikes, shared e‑scooters, and the vast domestic electric two‑wheel vehicle market.
4. Urban Low-Carbon Logistics Solution: A durable belt-driven system, compatible with European cargo bikes and heavy-duty urban delivery vehicles in China.
5. Children’s mobility solutions: bicycle cranksets and chainrings, firmly capturing the domestic market for essential children’s bikes while also exporting to international children’s bicycle brands.
(IV) Long-Term Industry Development Summary
From the EU benchmark report “Cycling Counts” to numerous domestic reports on the green mobility industry, it is clear that: Decarbonization, normalization, and diversification are the core development trends of the global cycling industry. The European market, bolstered by continuously improving cycling infrastructure, is driving growth in human-powered bicycles, high-end e‑bikes, and cargo‑bike segments. Meanwhile, China, leveraging its large population and robust electric‑vehicle supply chain, has cultivated a massive domestic demand market while maintaining its position as a global hub for bicycle component manufacturing, steadily exporting its production capacity to the world.
The four key drivers—rising cycling penetration, continuous expansion of cycling infrastructure, widespread adoption of e‑assist bikes, and the growing popularity of urban cargo bicycles—are set to sustain long-term demand for core components such as cranksets, cranks, freewheels, belt drives, and e‑assist drive systems. Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment, with a comprehensive, end-to-end drive‑system product portfolio, is simultaneously expanding into both the domestic market and overseas markets—including the EU and global trade—leveraging the growth dividends of the global two‑wheel cycling industry to achieve steady, sustainable growth as the sector continues to expand.
Conclusion and Outlook
The European Union has launched a medium- to long-term plan to standardize cycling data collection, upgrade infrastructure, and promote the widespread adoption of cycling as a mode of transport. Meanwhile, China’s strategies for green mobility and national fitness continue to be implemented, and the global two-wheeler industry faces no growth ceiling. Looking ahead, standardized, lightweight, highly durable, and low-carbon two‑wheel drive systems will become the market mainstream.
Shenzhen Jiankun Sports Equipment Co., Ltd. (www.jkcrank.com/www.szjiankun.com) We will continue to refine our full‑range of transmission products, while deepening our presence in the domestic market and expanding into the EU and other high‑quality overseas markets. By staying attuned to global trends in the cycling industry, we aim to become a reliable, professional, and leading supplier in the two‑wheel vehicle drive‑system sector. 
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