Cycling is climbing Spain’s sustainable mobility rankings like never before. Industry data show a record year for sales, with 1,571,368 bicycles sold last year, and a steady rise in national production, turnover, and retail activity. Electric bicycles in particular are expanding rapidly, reflecting a strong market trajectory for a sector that blends recreation with everyday transport and environmental stewardship.
In the latest assessment from AMBE and Cofidis, Spain’s bicycle industry is projected to grow revenue by 10.7 percent in 2021 compared with the prior year, reaching a record turnover of 2,887 million euros. This momentum mirrors a broader consolidation of the sector, including a 7.14 percent increase in the number of Spanish producers and nearly three percent employment growth. Sales, repair, and rental services expanded to 3,028 outlets. The research indicates that around 25,000 families in Spain rely directly on cycling for income and livelihoods.
While sales rose steadily from 2015 through 2021, the figures highlight an ongoing, long-running promotion cycle that has become a staple of the Spanish economy. The chart accompanying the report tracks this evolution, underscoring a resilient demand trend across the entire value chain.
Additional analyses from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism reveal a significant jump in bicycle production in 2021, with a 75.1 percent increase and exports rising by nearly 50 percent. Supply constraints during the year tempered growth at times, yet they also funneled production toward the end consumer, supporting a reindustrialization effort and job creation across the sector. AMBE’s secretary general Jesús Freire stresses that the bicycle industry has become a clear driver of Spain’s economic and social renewal.
The head of AMBE, Javier López, emphasizes that the shift toward healthier and more sustainable lifestyles is increasingly integrated into policy and everyday life, delivering positive economic, environmental, and health outcomes for Spanish society.
Electric bikes are enjoying their peak moment. In 2021 the sector surpassed the 200,000 unit milestone with a total of 223,561 units sold. Today, about 900,000 electric bikes are in circulation in Spain, representing the country’s largest segment of electric vehicles. The rise in average bicycle prices cooled slightly in 2021, increasing to an average of 984 euros from 865 euros in 2020. The price surge mainly reflects higher values for mountain bikes and particularly electric bikes, where the average price reached around 2,861 euros.
Government policy at national and European levels continues to support cycling as a climate-friendly transport option. Decarbonized urban zones and city planning priorities create fertile ground for cycling to flourish as a practical and attractive means of getting around. This aligns with broader environmental and public health goals, and it is shaping consumer and business investment in the sector.
Despite its pivotal role in sustainable mobility, some manufacturers note that electric bicycles have not benefited as fully from government subsidies as other electric-powered vehicles. The industry remains hopeful that policy adjustments will better reflect the growing market and the broader social benefits of cycling.
Environment and industry stakeholders continue to monitor supply chains, production capacity, and consumer demand to ensure that the sector can sustain growth while delivering more affordable, accessible, and innovative cycling solutions for everyday use. The momentum seen in recent years suggests that cycling is no longer a niche pastime but a mainstream mode of transportation and recreation with far-reaching economic and environmental implications.
[AMBE report, 2021] This synthesis draws on the latest data releases and industry consultations to present a coherent view of Spain’s cycling landscape and its potential as a model for sustainable mobility in other markets.