Over one million bikes were bought last year, but that’s down 13%
The number of new bikes in the Netherlands fell 13% in 2012 as the economic crisis and lower consumer confidence took their toll.
In total, 1,039,000 bikes were sold. Turnover was down 14% as the average price of a new bike fell to €954.
However, the sale of electric bikes – bikes with a small motor – bucked the trend, by rising 1.3% to 171,000. An electric bike costs an average €1,800.
Specialist bike shops also lost 2% of their market share, which now totals 67%, as DIY shops and online retailers moved in.
The Netherlands has a population of just under 17 million.
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