Cycling more popular

For manufacturers of bicycles 2006 was a bumper year. Sales of bicycles, mopeds and accessories soared to record levels; production, imports and exports of bicycles increased.

Higher turnover for bicycle shops

In 2006, turnover of bicycle and moped shops grew by 15 percent relative to the preceding year. Sales of mopeds, bicycles and accessories rose by no less than 17 percent, while prices dropped marginally. The upward trend in sales continued in the first quarter of 2007. The surge in moped and bicycle sales is largely attributable to the recent economic upturn.

Sales of bicycles, mopeds and accessories

Output value hits record high

The manufacture of Dutch bicycles increased 8 percent last year to reach 967 thousand and nearly equalled the level of 2003. The value of bicycles manufactured in the Netherlands totalled 453 million euro, 9 percent up on 2005

Manufacture of Dutch bicycles

Increase in imports from Europe

Foreign trade also increased in 2006. The export value of bicycles grew by nearly 8 percent to 289 million euro. Imports also increased as the Netherlands imported more bicycles from other European countries.
Dutch imports from Europe grew by over 45 percent to reach 85 million euro. Almost two out of three bicycles imported from other European countries are manufactured in Germany.

2.5 kilometres per person per day

The Dutch cycle more than they used to. The distance covered by bicycle has risen in recent years. Altogether, the Dutch covered more than 14 billion kilometres by bicycle in 2005, an average of 2.5 kilometres per person per day, nearly 10 percent more than in 2002. Men cycle more than women. The largest distance is covered by young people in the 12–18 age bracket. They average more than 6 kilometres every day.

Distance covered by bicycle per person per day

Pieter Vankan