Bicycle sales were still down in 2022 in Switzerland. They suffered a second consecutive decline during this period, i.e. 1.5% less than in 2021, the umbrella company Velosuisse reported this week. Compared to 2020, this almost represents a drop of almost 6%.
A breathlessness in the enthusiasm around two-wheelers after the peak of three years ago, as evidenced by Thierry Schoeni, bicycle salesman in Landeron. “During the Covid crisis, people were looking for a way out of their homes. They then devoted part of their budget to bicycles, ”recalls the specialist. “Today, they are returning to pre-pandemic habits”.
The electric bike is increasingly attractive
While sales of bicycles without assistance plunged 14% to 265,000 units, those of cycles with an electric motor jumped 17% to 218,730. A trend that is confirmed in the stores of the region.
Velosuisse is also seeing a craze for racing bikes and high-end gravel bikes. In addition, the umbrella organization notes a return to normal prices in 2022, after the increases linked to the increase in the cost of transport and raw materials. /ddc