The economic benefits associated with cycling amount to €200bn a year, according to a new analysis from the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) that seeks to quantify the health, environmental, and commercial benefits associated with the recent boom in cycling participation.
The group, which represents over 70 member organisations from across the EU that in turn represent the bloc's 34 million regular cyclists, said the analysis highlighted the need for governments to invest more heavily in cycling projects that can deliver multiple economic benefits.
The report, which was completed earlier this summer and released to coincide with the Eurobike trade fair in Germany.
It concludes that health benefits, including reduced mortality, are worth €114bn to €121bn a year, while fuel savings amount to €2.7bn to €5.8bn, CO2 emission reductions deliver €1.4bn to €3bn of benefits, and reduced air and noise pollution lead to €1.2bn of benefits. In addition, the tourism industry is said to get a €44bn boost from cycling, while the bicycle industry itself is worth €18bn a year.
As a result total benefits amount to between €205bn and €217.3bn a year, equivalent to around €400 for every EU citizen.
The ECF said that the sector's economic contribution should command a more ambitious and co-ordinated policy response from governments.
The group argued that "cycling policy needs continuous political leadership and coordination from the very top down", adding that health departments in particular should play a fuller role in supporting cycling policies.
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