Bike Economy moves forward: export, Made in Italy and sustainable mobility
Make the way for the electric bicycle:the bike economy continues to propel the market driven by exports. In 2020 280,000 units were sold (+44%), 115,000 of which were exports (+28%). In the first half of 2021, 157 thousand electric bikes have already been sold. This is the big picture presented by ANCMA (Associazione Nazionale Ciclo Motociclo Accessori).
Electric bicycles are just one of the outstanding aspects of the bike economy, an extremely broad sector that includes all those segments and activities in which the bicycle takes on an economic value, as a driver for growth and development.. Even at higher levels, people have realized the benefits that the bike economy can generate in terms of sustainable development, jobs, reduced traffic and improved health of citizens.
Data from the Bikeconomy Forum reveal that the European turnover amounts to 500 billion euros, if we consider all the supply chain revenues, ranging from the production of bicycles to cycling tourism, including technology, environmental protection and health.
Bike Economy in the lead in Italian exports
The Italian Bike Economy continues to “run” on the wave of the increased demand generated by the pandemic. Italian bicycles continue to be the most popular in the world, and the Italian production has posted a growth of 8.8% over pre-covid 2019 levels.
The good news is presented during the Artibici event on November 6, 2021, sponsored by Confartigianato Imprese.
The Bike Economy turns out to be one of the most strategic sectors of Italian craftsmanship, leading Italy in the export higher rank. Italy is the first country for the number of bicycles exported in Europe, and especially in France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Italy has worked hard to be back as the first exporter with 1,747,485 sold pieces at the rate of 3.3 bicycles per minute.
At a time when the manufacturing department was experiencing major downturns, Bike Economy exports have recorded a +30% and also the demand for e-bike has more than doubled compared to previous years.
….and in artisan tradition
The report also shows us another relevant fact: 60% of the companies involved in the bicycle supply chain are artisanal business, with a total turnover of one billion euros, considering production, rental and repairs, passing through 3,323 companies that employ 7,384 people. Made in Italy continues to be a hallmark all over the world, the flagship of Italian craftsmanship, a material and immaterial capital of tradition and history to be safeguarded. Tailor-made products are exported from Italy and stand out for their craftsmanship, manual know-how and culture. They show to the world Italian renowned design brands and smaller artisan productions alike, that every day seek excellence through research and innovation.
Bike Economy and sustainable development
This heritage is to be enhanced also in view of the investments related to the National Plan for Resilience and Recovery (PNRR) that will be addressed to the expansion of the cycling infrastructure and a greater attention to active and electric mobility.
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The positive export figures, however, should not make us forget the data regarding the use of bicycles in our country: out of 83 cities in the ranking, Rome is the last one. Bike Economy will play an important role in raising awareness and educate Italian citizens to new transport habits. Infrastructure modernization and sustainable development are the watchwords on which new investments will be based.
With these data in hand, we can be sure that despite the pandemic, indeed accelerated by the pandemic, the bicycle is the trump card of our economy, the most resilient sector that can adapt to new changes. A constantly increasing trend that does not only concern exports and the Italian vocation for craftsmanship, but also a new paradigm that embraces environment, well-being and health through a new sustainable mobility
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