A record number of electric bikes were sold in the Netherlands last year, far outstripping the sale of traditional bicycles in cash terms.

Some 420,000 new e-bikes were bought in 2019, accounting for 70% of total turnover of €1.25m, according to figures from the Rai association, Bovag and retail research group Gfk.

‘On average, people spent €2,067 on an e-bike, which now account for 41.7% of sales,’ said Rai spokesman Huub Lamers. ‘This means e-bikes have been the most popular sellers for the second year in a row.’

Traditional city bikes had a 33% share of the market and children’s bikes 11%. The average price paid for a traditional new bike is €1,243, up slightly on 2018.

The organisations say they expect new rules covering company bikes, and efforts to get more people to cycle to work, will further boost e-bike sales in 2020.

Previous research by the TNO institute showed people with a new bike are more likely to cycle – with private use rising 27%.