How Many Bicycles Are in the World? – Figures That Impress!

From this article, you'll find out how many bicycles are in the world, what countries have the biggest amount of bicycles, as well as other interesting facts about bikes.
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John Watson
John Watson
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John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
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Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
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Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: September 12, 2023
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Cycling is popular globally, and there are people riding bikes almost everywhere. The number of people who own their personal wheels is growing rapidly every day, and as time passes, it will only get bigger.

Bike riding is a great activity that’s good for your body as an exercise, great for the community, and also an eco-friendly source of transportation. But exactly how many bicycles are in the world? Keep on reading, as we shall be discussing that and much more.

How Many Bicycles Are There in the World?

How Many Bicycles Are in the World? - Figures That Impress!

On almost every street in the world, you can find a bike owner. People have different bikes, and they are used for different purposes, such as bike races, casual rides around the area, triathlons, and also exercise. In other words, biking is something that you can use for different purposes, but owning a good well working bike is vital. If you’re new to biking and interested in owning your wheels, you should check out the list of the best road bikes under $3000.

The first bicycle was designed and released in 1817, and ever since, there have been more and more coming out. Different designs and also many brands of bikes are in the world today, so there is no lack of wheels anywhere. It’s hard to pick a bike that’s the best in a world filled with many unique wheels, but the GT grade Carbon Expert Gravel Bike is an excellent choice.

As previously stated, you can find bikes almost everywhere in the world but have you ever sat and wondered approximately how many bicycles are in the world? It is tough to answer as there have been different factors that have affected the exact figure.

The figures have been collated from 2009, and in 2019, there was an estimated figure of exactly one billion bicycles in the world. But this was before the pandemic. People became more scared of using public transportation. So, the number would’ve increased drastically as more people started exercising with bikes and using them more often to express their freedom and ensure their well-being is in top-notch shape. The numbers are constantly changing, but usually, it grows every year.

More people are purchasing bikes and taking up bike riding more than ever, so the significant increase is no surprise to anyone.

Both men and women benefit from biking. There are specific bike brands that make wheels for women which are comfortable and also easy to ride. If you’re a female and fond of this activity, then you should consider taking a look at the best women’s road bikes under $500.

Number of Bicycles in the World Per Country

When looking at how many bicycles in the world per country, you have to view it statistically to understand the actual figures. Below is a diagrammatical representation of the countries that have the biggest amount of bicycles.

Country Number of bicycles
China 500,000,000
USA 120,000,000
Japan 75,000,000
Germany 62,000,000
Brazil 42,000,000
India 32,000,000
Italy 24,000,000
Indonesia 22,000,000
UK/France 20,000,000
Netherlands 16,500,000

These figures show that China is the biggest user of bicycles globally. It also manufactures around 60% of bikes in the entire world. Still, the bike rates are relatively low, and this is because most of the bikes made in China are exported to other countries, mainly the United States of America. About 86% of the bikes that are for sale in the USA were all imported from China.

This comes as no surprise since China has become the leading distributor of bikes in the world. China had a staggering 58% of the total market worldwide in 2004. But 2005 was the best year in terms of production in China as there was an increase of about 16%, increasing the total number of bikes and electric bikes produced in the country to approximately 80,000,000 units, and 65% of this was exported to different countries in the world.

How Many Bicycles Are in the World? - Figures That Impress!

According to the list, Europe is the continent that has the most countries which use bikes in the world. With the Netherlands, France, the UK, Italy, and Germany all being significant users of bikes globally. Although China remains the largest producer in the world, the Netherlands leads the race Trusted Source Bike country Netherlands: why the bicycle is so popular Equal rights for cars and bicycles are above all a question of will. Here you can read about what the Germans can learn from the Dutch. www.deutschland.de for the most for the highest number of bicycles per capita.

Calculating a bike per capita is the most secure way to measure how bikes are used in a country. Looking at the production of bikes solely may deceive people, and it’s not always accurate when discussing bike use in a country. For example, China has produced a staggering number of bikes, but the ratio of bikes produces to the number of people using them is pretty low. There are only about 37% of people use bikes in China, and that isn’t very high for a country that produces the most.

The Dutch have produced 16,500,000 bikes amongst the 16,652,800 individuals in their nation. The statistics show that about 99.2% of the population are bike riders. The numbers might be inaccurate because some individuals own more than one bike. One thing that you should note is that countries with more significant per capita, like the Netherlands and Germany, have gone through significant improvements and developments in their infrastructure. This was to create an environment where bike riders can ride more conveniently, so there has been the construction of bike lanes and more pathways for cyclists, which makes it more convenient for bike riders.

Most Popular Bike Types

There are so many various types of bikes, and they’re all used for different purposes.

Mountain bike or MTB

These are one of the most popular bikes, and they’re mainly used for riding off-road. Biking through hills and other elevated surfaces is made easier with mountain bikes. They’ve also termed all-purpose. This is because they can be used primarily on all surfaces. There’s no problem moving through rugged roads or stone surfaces. One mountain bike that stands out is the Yeti Cycles SB115 Turq T1 XT Mountain bike, it is designed with enough features to help you get through any surface, and it also has a fantastic suspension.

Road bikes

Road bikes are another popular type of bike, mainly called speed bikes. Road bikes are mostly used for races, tours, and other competitive activities since they usually have different gears, so you can toggle between speeds.

Hybrid bikes

Hybrid bikes are a mixture of different types of bicycles. Any bike can be mixed, but when referring to a hybrid, it’s usually a combination between a road bike and a mountain bike.  Hybrid bikes are used for any purpose, and one thing guaranteed when using this type of bike is comfort. Unlike other bikes, shock absorbers are included in most hybrid bikes.

Freestyle/BMX bikes

There are types of bikes that athletes or professional cyclists use to perform different tricks and skills when riding off-road.  They’re not used for any other reason apart from that. If you’re a stunt biker, it is better to opt for a BMX bike.

Bents or recumbent bikes

How Many Bicycles Are in the World? - Figures That Impress!

Some bikes go against the wind and are naturally faster than most bikes, and they’re called recumbent bikes. It is different because the angles of their seats are different from standard bikes. These types of bikes are well used for touring and going through typical bike trails and also smooth surfaces. Bents are known for their speed, so if you’re using one, it is advised not to use it through stone roads to avoid injuries and damage.

These are some of the most popular types of bikes in the world, and other types aren’t as used but still have a lot to offer. Some of them include utility bikes, folding bikes, chopper bikes, commuter bikes, and many more.  As stated earlier, it is essential to know what you want to use your bike for and your preferred bike style before choosing a pair of wheels. If you’re looking for a good bike, which is affordable and also comfortable for any biking style, then you should check out our compilation of the best road bikes under $500.

Why Is Biking Popular?

This is a common question that is asked by people who are new to biking. They often wonder what’s so special about moving around on two wheels that make it so popular. Biking has been seen as a handy vehicle for more than cruising around. It’s been used for decades, and love for bikes is growing daily.

It got even more popular after the pandemic as people took it as a way to distance themselves and get around. There are hundreds of different reasons biking is so adored around the world, but here are some of the few reasons for its popularity.

Cost-effectiveness

One of the main reasons why cycles are used is the cost. Although there are some expensive bikes, there aren’t bikes that’ll cost as much as a car or the accumulated amount that you’ll spend on buses or trains. Once you have a bike, as long as you got the energy, you can pretty much get anywhere you want to go. Having a bike saves you a lot, and that’s one reason it’s so loved.

An alternate way to exercise

People may think biking is just a way to cruise around, but they don’t know that it’s also a form of exercise and a way to keep fit.  Biking is one of the most underrated exercises, and people often overlook the advantages it has for the body. Besides burning many calories when riding, you’re also working on different muscles such as the quads, hamstrings, core, and glutes.

Eco-friendly

Riding a bike is one of the best ways to avoid using fossil fuels and protect the earth’s raw materials. This is because bikes are good for the environment Trusted Source How Riding a Bike Benefits the Environment | UCLA Transportation Riding a bike is not only a great way to improve your physical and mental health, but also the health of the planet! Here are some of the ways you’ll be helping the environment just by replacing a few car trips with bike rides. transportation.ucla.edu . If there were more biker riders than people who use cars, then the world would be a much better place. Bikes don’t use fuels like petrol, and they don’t burn and release toxic gases into the atmosphere.

Versatile

Another primary reason why bikes are so adored in the world is their versatility. Bikes can be used for many reasons, and there are different ones for everyone. Bikes can be used in competitions, as a means of transport, as a simple cruiser, and many more.

Takes less space than other vehicles

One of the reasons why biking is preferred is because it takes up little space. It can be really annoying looking for where to park your car because there are so many cars but yet little space.

A bike is way smaller than other vehicles, so there’s plenty of space to park as many as you want. This will vastly help urban areas. There also would be less traffic if more people used bikes.

Bike accidents are less deadly

If you’re looking at safety and health, accidents caused by bikes are less likely to lead to something fatal than other vehicles.  Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of death worldwide, but few are from bikes. Although accidents can still happen, you should never forget to prioritize your safety. If you ride responsibly and use the proper safety gear, you have a reduced death risk.

Most Famous Bike Brands

There are many bicycle brands all over the world. Here are some of the most famous bicycle brands today.

  • Giant

The Giant bike brand Trusted Source UNLEASH EACH RIDER’S FULL POTENTIAL | Giant Bicycles Official site Giant is the world’s leading brand of high-quality bicycles and cycling gear. Part of the Giant Group, which was founded in 1972, the brand combines craftsmanship, technology and innovative design. www.giant-bicycles.com is the world’s biggest manufacturer of bikes, and they have produced 6 million bikes. It was founded in 1972, and it had one aim, which was to make bike riding accessible globally. Through the years, the Giant brand grew, and thus, it can be said that it achieved that goal.

  • Trek

Trek is another famous biking brand in the cycling industry. It is a United States-based biking company that came out in 1976. Trek bikes are one of the most used bicycles in the world.

  • Cannondale

This is another top brand that’s from the US. It was founded in 1970, and they’re the bike brand that designed the famous Bugger bike. The Bugger was one of the world’s first bicycles that towed trailers. With innovation at the core of their goals, they have become a successful company with a huge number of bikes produced daily.

  • Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz bikes are another prominent biking company that came out in 1993. Although newer than other biking brands, they’re still a force in the cycling industry. They’re famous for making mountain bikes with different features.

  • GT Bikes

The GT bikes are another fantastic brand, and they were founded in 1979. It is a bike brand from California, and they’re known for making robust and reliable bike frames. With time, they became of the best bike brands in the world.

FAQ

How many bicycles are made per day in the world?

Bicycles are always in production, and about 364,000 bikes are made daily.

Are there more bikes than cars in the world?

According to facts, there are more bikes in the world than cars.

How many e-bikes are there in the world?

There are about 300 million electric bikes worldwide, and more are produced each day.

Final Thoughts

If you correctly went through this article, you should find an answer to the question, how many bicycles are in the world? Many bikes are being produced daily by different brands and for different purposes, so you should look for the one that suits you.

Remember that your preference and choice matter most when picking a bicycle for yourself. You should always get the one that’s comfortable for you. Your safety should always be at the back of your mind when riding. Always remember to ride responsibly and always have the proper safety gear.

References

1.
Bike country Netherlands: why the bicycle is so popular
Equal rights for cars and bicycles are above all a question of will. Here you can read about what the Germans can learn from the Dutch.
2.
How Riding a Bike Benefits the Environment | UCLA Transportation
Riding a bike is not only a great way to improve your physical and mental health, but also the health of the planet! Here are some of the ways you’ll be helping the environment just by replacing a few car trips with bike rides.
3.
UNLEASH EACH RIDER’S FULL POTENTIAL | Giant Bicycles Official site
Giant is the world’s leading brand of high-quality bicycles and cycling gear. Part of the Giant Group, which was founded in 1972, the brand combines craftsmanship, technology and innovative design.

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