Germany bike sales hold (mostly) steady in 2025; eBikes still outstrip EVs
The bicycle sales picture in Germany was one of relative resilience in 2025, with 3.8 million units sold, down 3.9% compared to 2024. That’s a slightly more pronounced drop than the previous year (down 2.53%), albeit a fairly modest difference.
That decrease was mostly felt in the eBike sector compared to non-electrics, however eBikes continue to dominate the picture with a 52.7% share of the market and bicycles a 47.3 % share.
Sales remained high nonetheless, with around 2 million eBikes sold. The figures, put together and shared by ZIV, noted that there are now more than 17 million eBikes on the roads in Germany – a marked difference to the approx 2 million electric cars on Germany’s roads.
The workshop business continues its growth trajectory with a sizeable 13% increase in sales in 2025, a figure mirrored in CIN’s own Market Data.
Production and exports
Germany has a decent sized bicycle manufacturing footprint and production rose in 2025, at 3% to 658,000 units. eBike production dropped 3% to 1,285,000 units – painting a picture of stability overall. Turnover from the sales of bicycles and eBikes fell 7.7% to €5.85 billion – a smaller decline than the previous year.
Exports rose in both segments: bicycles by 10%, eBikes by 12% ,totally 1.39 million.
Normalisation of stock levels continues: Gravel and racing bikes in demand
The average sale price for eBikes dropped slightly, while prices for non-electrics remained stable. ZIV noted that “discounts put pressure on sales prices [but] the consistently high demand for racing bikes and gravel bikes ensured stability”.
The enduring appeal of the gravel market has been a long term trend – likely it has stolen sales from neighbouring bike sectors, but it remains a bright area for the trade in Germany as well as the UK and other nations.
Burkhard Stork, CEO at ZIV, said: “The latest figures show that the bicycle industry is levelling off at a stable level. There are of course fluctuations, but the industry again proved in 2025 how robust it is. Particularly noteworthy: demand is less sensitive to economic fluctuations than is often assumed. The market mix is shifting slightly – the share of classic bicycles is currently increasing, while the eBike market is correcting slightly at a high level. Overall, the bicycle industry remains a reliable guarantor of long-term value creation.”
In the UK, the Bicycle Association is about to reveal its 2025 collected sales data from the market (the numbers are being revealed at its member conference a few days ahead). 2025 was the year that the UK decided to relax anti-dumping duties on eBikes from China.
Company bike leasing schemes & refurbishment
Refurbishment market growing – market finally emerging for “good used bikes”
With a growing number of leased bikes now being returned, the refurbishment market is also gaining in importance, noted ZIV. Professionally refurbished, high-end used bikes meanwhile hold a tangible share of the overall market. Since 2023, the number of refurbished bikes sold each year has risen by around 192%. Growing acceptance across all income groups and increasing internationalisation ensure very positive prospects.
Wasilis von Rauch, Managing Director, Zukunft Fahrrad, said: “Company bike leasing schemes remain an essential stabiliser for the bicycle industry – especially for high-end bikes from specialist retailers. While the market is now normalising after the rapid growth of the record years, major opportunities still exist, with over 60,000 new employers now offering bike leasing and conversion rates continuing to rise. At the same time, the refurbishment market is opening up new prospects: returned leased bikes offer great potential for making high-end bikes accessible to more people. There are real opportunities here – for an intelligent circular economy and attractive offers for broader target groups.”
Specialist retail & service
“In our view, service quality is crucial for the development of bricks-and-mortar specialist retailers,” says Uwe Wöll, Managing Director of VSF. “If we manage to establish a strong partnership between industry, service providers and retailers, then we can look forward to positive development across the entire bicycle market.”
ZIV summarised: “The bicycle industry has not only withstood the fluctuations of recent years, but also strengthened its position at a high level. Countless opportunities still exist along the value chain, especially in the service sector (bike insurance and workshop services, for example). The boom in recent years has given rise to a robust, stable market volume. Meaning that the bicycle industry still has the foundations to develop the market innovatively and dynamically. Among others, it will be decisive whether new or previously under-represented target groups such as women and children can be reached more effectively. Good framework conditions, safety in everyday cycling and equal treatment in transport funding will help make cycling attractive to more people – policymakers must play their part here.”
