Dutch commuters are ditching their cars for e-bikes

More electric bike owners are using their two-wheelers to get to and from work, a trend which will grow in popularity, market researcher Multiscope has found.

In 2022, some 34% of e-bike owners cycled to and from work compared with 28% the year before.

The trend is set to continue, market researcher Tom Bastian told RTL. ‘Some brands are used more often to get to work. Some 46% of people who own a Giant e-bike use it to commute,’ he said.

Gazelle remains the market leader for e-bikes in the Netherlands, with a market share of 19%, up 3% compared to 2020. Next up are Stella (13%) and Sparta (11%). The market share of hip Amsterdam e-bike makers VanMoof is trailing at less than 1%.

A new e-bike will set the purchaser back an average of €2,000 and only 2% of users are leasing one.

Of all the bikes sold in the Netherlands last year 57% were electric, figures from industry transport organisations BOVAG and RAI have shown.

‘E-bikes are an excellent alternative for the car to get to work for many people,’ RAI spokesman Huub Lamers told the broadcaster. ‘That explains part of the rise in popularity. Zoom past a traffic jam in a green, healthy way and you’re laughing,’ he said.