Cycling in Spain is at an all-time high and almost 20 million The proportion of people who regularly use them with a commitment to sustainable mobility, where the combination of “leisure and sport” also plays a leading role, as explained to EFE by Jesús, secretary general of the Spanish Association of Brands and Cycles (AMBE) Freire. In fact, it has continued to grow over the past year and they already use it at least once a week. 11 million usersIt represents 40% more between 2019 and 2022, according to the latest barometer published by the Cycling Cities Network.
The main reasons for this increase arepost-lockdown periodFreire evaluated the “population’s commitment to sustainable mobility” and its use for “recreational and sport”. According to barometer data, the most important reasons to use it today are walking (84.1%), doing sports (79.2%). %), daily commuting (56.9%), going to a study center (40.4%), and going to work (36.9%). For these last two reasons, the 11.1 point increase in the case of going to work is particularly striking. hubs and 10 points on the way to work – since 2019 and currently these are the top destinations for around 30% of all users.
Urban use and the rise of the electric bike
Another fact reflecting the dramatic increase in urban use of the bicycle as a means of transport is that already about 20 million Although regular users and mountain bikes continue to be “the most consumed” in Spain, it is worth noting the rise of the electric bike in recent years.
An AMBE report entitled ‘Bicycle industry in numbers‘ Dating from 2021 confirms that “more than 220,000 electric bikes were sold at an average price of 2,861 euros” at the time, one of the reasons why the industry wanted to include the bike in its ‘Movement Plan’. It will enable the government to help buy sustainable vehicles, as “users use it more frequently and for longer distances, between 50 and 80 kilometers,” Freire said.
The rise of the bicycle is also associated with the production of accessories and components, especially in 2021.when there is a very fast demand“. Sales in Spain “are at the level of one and a half million units at an average price of 984 euros”, making the country “a leader in the manufacture of bicycles and brands” and the country with the most exports outside of Europe. EU.
“Not betting on the bike is unsustainable”
While there are places where they are used more than others, today “not betting on the bike is politically unsustainable,” Freire warns. congratulates himself on the construction of the bike path networks or car parks, as well as shared cycling, particularly in “Seville, Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid”, so that “there will be no city in the next five years that has not made a clear commitment to cycling in Spain”.
Experts believe it’s also a public “education” and “awareness” issue, claiming that in cities like Madrid and Barcelona you “need to leave the car and bike and pedal a bit” to “stop CO2 emissions”. those who cry for it”.
Source: Informacion
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