The USA takes up cycling: it’s good for the planet

The rise of electric bikes is also taking hold in the United States where bicycle sales have doubled since 2019. However, volumes remain low.

Clichés are hard to die. But in a country where the relationship with the body is pushed to the extreme, it is clear that cycling is not yet fashionable. But change is gradually coming. There, too, the Covid pandemic, at the beginning of 2020, opened many people’s eyes to the vulnerability of our planet and our bodies.

Nevertheless, in the United States, bikes are still considered a recreational activity, not yet a daily mode of transportation. But things are changing and could soon experience a revolution. The Biden administration is considering classifying cycling as an entirely virtuous means of transport. In a humorous tone, the American cycle industry claims that bicycles are the top-selling electric vehicle in the country. If true, it’s a close race.

Indeed: in 2022, for the first time in history, 1.1 million electric bikes were sold in the USA. An increase of 400% compared to 2019. Still, this only accounts for 4% of the market, compared to about 30% in Europe. The lack of purchase incentives to encourage abandoning cars plays a role. However, a bonus of 30% of the purchase price with a cap of $900 (about €800, compared to €400 in France) is being studied, with implementation planned for 2024. In a recent local survey, 59% of respondents who tried an electric bike for the first time said they are “considering adopting cycling as a daily routine.”

Cities like New York, aiming to decongest their streets, have established long-term rental services at attractive prices.

Chinese Hegemony

In reality, the United States are caught in a trap: an almost complete absence of bicycle manufacturing industry within its territory. A sign of being behind. Today, the turnover from cycling amounts to $5.18 billion annually (€4.6 billion), but 8 out of 10 bicycles are imported from China. The USA does not want to further destabilize its trade balance by importing even more Chinese goods. Domestic production accounted for only 2% of the market.

The good news is that projections point to continued growth, driven by changing mentalities. A doubling of the market is expected by 2027, which is tomorrow. In any case, each bike sold in the United States, where vehicles are still the most polluting in the world, is a small victory for the planet.

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