For the second year in a row, the Spanish e-bike market has grown significantly. Sales of e-bikes rose 28.3 percent to more than 140,000 in 2019, with the average retail unit price rising 11 percent to just over 2,400 euros, far more than Spaniards have been paying for regular bikes.
In 2019, e-bikes accounted for 11.3% of the total 1.261 million bikes sold in Spain. In the past few years, the e-bike market has expanded rapidly, reaching 54.5 percent in 2018. And the 2019 data showed a steady growth of e-bikes. The survey was compiled by the Spanish bicycle industry association AMBE.
AMBE is made up of 38 leading bicycle manufacturers, importers and distributors in Spain, which together hold 54 percent of the bicycle market in Spain. There are some 2,951 physical bike shops in Spain, a slight decrease, with 319 brands sold last year, eight fewer than in 2018.
Bicycle sales in Spain (black line: bicycle sales; Yellow histogram: Sales - Eur billion)
The total value of bicycle sales (including e-bikes and bicycles) grew 9.27% from €1.7 billion in 2018 to nearly €1.9 billion in 2019. Bicycles are Spain's most important sporting goods market by value, accounting for 24.6 per cent of the market. The total sales volume of bicycles accounted for 46.09% of the sports goods retail market in 2019. In previous years, it was 43.8 percent. The second largest item in the retail market is bicycle equipment category, accounting for 30.47%, including textiles, helmets, etc., which accounts for 16.76% of retailers' revenue.
Sales of e-bikes in Spain increased significantly, with the overall market growing 20.41 percent to 1.26 million units from 1.05 million units in 2018. Mountain bikes rose 16.3 percent to 475,000. Bicycles for children increased 45.3 percent to 478,000. The average retail price of mountain bikes fell 5 percent to 699 euros, mainly because many customers switched from regular mountain bikes to pricier electric ones.
AMBE is concerned about the trend of urban cycling. After years of growth, the sales volume of such models was only 93,000 units in 2019, down 24.2 percent year on year, while the average retail price rose 15.2 percent. The increase in sales of electric bikes pushed up the average retail price.
