The use of the electric bike in very strong increase in Belgium
The electric bike has seen its use increase by 56% in two years, confirming its increasing speed in daily journeys. As with the non-electric bicycle, its use is greater in Flanders with nearly 31% of users compared to 14% in Wallonia and 19% in Brussels. However, it was in Brussels and Wallonia that the increases were the strongest.
If the non-electric bicycle is experiencing a less dazzling increase, it has nevertheless gained 41 to 45% in two years at the national level. Although its rate of use remains significantly higher in Flanders (53%) than in the other regions, there are strong increases in Wallonia, which goes from 20% to 33%, and in Brussels, from 25% to 38% . These explain the increase observed at the national level.
However, these increases in Wallonia and Brussels are essentially the result of a very strong increase in the occasional use of bicycles. In fact, frequent use of the bicycle shows a drop in percentage (-8% for 4 days of use per week) while occasional use, a few days per year, shows an increase of 16%. A phenomenon that could be linked to the health crisis, outdoor leisure activities being encouraged. At the same time, the normalization of telework has also played a role in reducing its daily use, according to the SPF.
Unsurprisingly, the use of the electric bicycle increases with age while the use of a conventional cycle decreases over the years. The rate of use of the electric bike according to age has changed a little in two years and the 55 years and over was 28% to use it against 19% for the 35-54 year olds. However, its use is greatly increased among those under 35, from 10 to 25%. Non-electric bicycles are on the rise in all age categories, with those under 34 still being its main users (54%).
At the national level, it is for the reason “to go for a bike ride” that the non-electric bicycle is most frequently used (84%). Next come the reasons for “shopping” (75%), “leisure activity” (66%) and “the whole journey between home and work” (54%).
The electric bike is the most popular for shopping (79.8%), commuting (70%) and leisure (72.3%). Overall, it is used more regardless of the reason for travel.
At the Belgian level, the electric bike or not, first replaces the car in commuting. However, the electric bicycle is a more frequent substitute for the car (45%) than the non-electric bicycle (38%).
Among the modes offered, it is by far the electric bike (13%) that receives the most votes for an intention to purchase within two years. In second place, the non-electric bicycle receives 7% of purchase intentions.