Tag Archive: speed pedelecs

  1. 2025 marked a record year for speed pedelecs in Belgium

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    Source: TRAXIO

    According to mobility federation TRAXIO, last year was a significant one for the Belgian speed pedelec market where it reached a total of 23,681 registrations (14,058 new and 9,623 second hand), surpassing the previous record of 23,277 units in 2022. The figures have made it record year for second-hand bikes, and the third-best year ever for new speed pedelecs, collectively making 2025 the best year to date.

    The Belgian market has experienced historic growth in new and second-hand speed pedelecs, with leasing encouraging market expansion as regional disparities in adoption remain.

    Leasing driving new market expansion

    After the new speed pedelec market initially cooled down, 2025 saw a positive turnaround. TRAXIO’s spokesperson Filip Rylant explained: “We predicted last year that there was room for further growth, and that’s now proving true. The market grew again, by 2.6% to 14,058 units. The difference was mainly in December, when no fewer than 894 units were registered—an increase of 29.8%. The reason for this high number of registrations is the contracts that are starting in January. A lot of bicycle dealers already applied for the new SP plates in December to ensure delivery as soon as possible in early 2026. This aligns seamlessly with a significant market shift that has been underway for several years: the leasing segment now accounts for a market share of 62.4% (!), to the detriment of vehicles registered by companies and, especially, by private individuals. A few years ago, the majority were still purchased by private individuals.”

    Unprecedented growth in second-hand speed pedelec market

    The second-hand market also had a record year. Rylant reported: “A total of 9,623 speed pedelecs were re-registered, an increase of only A whopping 24% increase (1,865 units) compared to 2024. Compared to 2022, that’s even 3,124 more (48.1%). And the success story doesn’t seem to be over yet, as we’re noticing that many fast bikes released from leasing are being re-registered by private individuals. Thanks to the growing supply of high-quality speed pedelecs at attractive prices, the used market will continue to grow for a while.”

    Regional disparities in adoption

    Speed pedelecs remain predominantly a Flemish phenomenon, with 97.5% of new registrations in Flanders. East Flanders saw a 34.6% increase to 5,534 units, largely due to leasing. In contrast, the French-speaking regions of Belgium continue to struggle with adoption: “Speed pedelecs are struggling to gain traction in the French-speaking part of the country (market share of 1.2%) due to factors including weaker cycling infrastructure, lower congestion, and—specifically for Brussels (market share of 1.3%)—competition with regular bicycles and scooters in the 30 km/h zone,” Rylant explained.

    For second-hand speed pedelecs, all provinces except Namur and Liège showed significant growth, with increases ranging from +19.2% (Flemish Brabant) to +150% (Luxembourg). These bicycles are primarily purchased by private individuals, with Antwerp leading the way with 3,323 units.

    Belgian speed pedelec market outlook

    The rise of leasing and second-hand markets demonstrates the continuing evolution of the Belgian speed pedelec market. “The question for the bicycle sector now is primarily how to encourage private individuals to buy high-speed bicycles, as this market segment has been in freefall for several years. However, private individuals are buying a considerable number of second-hand speed pedelecs that are at the end of their leases,” Rylant concluded.

    The full figures, graphs and breakdowns of TRAXIO’s research can be accessed on their website.

  2. Survey investigates factors influencing speed pedelec usage in urban mobility

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    Speed pedelecs are emerging as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional automobiles. However, the factors influencing their adoption and use remain largely unexplored.

    This presents a challenge for policymakers aiming to develop effective strategies in promoting this transportation model.

    Research initiative by UHasselt

    To address this issue, Emiel Cosemans, a student of Mobility Sciences at UHasselt, is conducting a study as part of his bachelor thesis. His research focuses on identifying key factors that influence speed pedelec usage in Belgian and Dutch Limburg.

    Importance of public participation

    The study welcomes input from both speed pedelec users and non-users, as their perspectives provide valuable insights into the broader mobility landscape. By participating in this survey, individuals can contribute to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with speed pedelec adoption.

    How to participate

    The survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, seeks to gather data that will help policymakers make informed decisions regarding the integration of speed pedelecs into urban transportation networks. Participants’ contributions will play a crucial role in shaping future mobility policies and infrastructure improvements.

    For those interested in taking part, the survey is available online. By sharing their experiences and views, participants can support efforts to enhance sustainable mobility solutions.

  3. Bicycles and pedelecs more frequently involved in work accidents, data shows

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    Source: Velobiz

    BG Verkehr, the German Professional Association for Transport, Postal Logistics and Telecommunications, has evaluated reportable work and business accidents among its insured persons. It found that pedelecs and bicycles are the second-most frequently involved in work accidents.

    Random analysis of data by BG Verkehr inspected reportable work and business accidents that occurred between July 2022 and June 2023. A total of 7,650 extrapolated accidents were recorded, with 6,388 being minor accidents not requiring inpatient hospitalization. 42 of the accidents ended in death.

    Following cars with the largest share of accidents at 31%, bicycles and pedelecs (e-bikes) accounted for 23%. The remaining data is accounted for by trucks, vans, and buses.

    In BG Verkehr’s member companies, bicycles and pedelecs are used in various scenarios including postal and courier services and grocery deliveries. In recent years, the number of pedelecs has increased.

    Single-vehicle accidents

    “What strikes us about bicycles and pedelecs is the high proportion of single-vehicle accidents,” says Martin Küppers, Head of Regulations and Occupational Safety at BG Verkehr. Single-vehicle accidents are defined as road accidents in which no other party is involved, such as falls or leaving the road. Across all categories, the proportion of single-vehicle accidents is 34%; however, in scenarios where bicycles and pedelecs are used, it is significantly higher. Of the 643 accidents in food delivery, for example, bicycles or pedelecs were involved in 583 cases. Two-thirds of these were single-vehicle accidents.

    Even if many accidents on two wheels can be explained by difficult weather or road conditions, the analysis shows that the main cause of accidents is personal. “In order to make our policyholders more aware of the dangers of cycling and pedelecs, we will be actively participating in the German Road Safety Council’s (DVR) focus campaign this year, which has the motto ‘Safe cycling mobility on work and business trips’,” announces Dr. Nadia Schilling, head of the Road Safety Division at BG Verkehr. Among other initiatives, a campaign is planned for the nationwide Road Safety Day on 21 June. Roadworthy bicycles and training in their use will ensure greater safety. “This is only trivial at first glance. The driving physics of a two-wheeler with a transport box or backpack on the back is completely different to what most cyclists are used to,” warns Küppers.

    One bright spot for users of two-wheelers is that the proportion of serious and fatal accidents is very low. Trucks caused 488 of these cases, followed by cars (320), vans up to 3.5t (173), bicycles (84) and pedelecs (46).

    685 insurance cases from the study period were randomly sampled and investigated. In the extrapolation, this corresponds to 7,650 accidents. The extrapolation factors come from the DGUV occupational accident statistics.

  4. Speed pedelec sales decline as more Belgians opt for buying second-hand

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    Source: Bike Europe

    In the first nine months of 2024, registrations of second-hand speed pedelecs in Belgium rose by 17.4% compared to the same period in 2023 and by 39.3% compared to 2022, according to Traxio, a trade association. However, new speed pedelec sales showed an opposite trend, dropping by 17.9% from 2023.

    “Over the first nine months of this year, we see one major constant: registrations of new speed pedelecs (10,189 units, -17.9%) are declining in favour of second-hand models (6,277 units, +17.4%),” confirms Filip Rylant, spokesperson for the mobility federation TRAXIO. “This year’s bad weather has certainly had a negative impact on the new market, but we also see in the figures a positive indication that the speed pedelec is a sustainable mode of transport that is becoming increasingly accessible as a used option for a large group of users. It is important that the new market begins to recover in the coming year to ensure a structurally sufficient inflow for used models in the future.”

    Overall, with 16,466 registered speed pedelecs, the combined market shows only a slight dip: down by 7.8% compared to 2023 and 9.2% compared to 2022, as the second-hand sector is still in its growth phase.

    Shift to second-hand

    While new speed pedelecs remain the majority, there’s a notable shift toward used models. In 2023, second-hand speed pedelecs represented 29.1% of the market, rising to 38.1% in 2024, with new models dropping to 61.9%.

    “2024 is clearly a difficult year for the entire bike market, partly due to the bad weather. Despite the growing confidence in bikes as a sustainable mode of transport, sales are stagnating. The new sales of speed pedelecs are following that downward trend. On the other hand, the second-hand speed pedelec remains a strong quality product. Consumers, in times of declining purchasing power, are right to have confidence in it” explains Frank Glorieux, secretary general of Traxio Velo.

    Private vs. companies and leasing

    The new speed pedelec market saw a sharp decline in registrations, down 17.9% overall, with leasing registrations down 18.0%, private registrations down 21.1%, and corporate registrations down 8.5%. During this period, 63.7% of new speed pedelecs were registered by non-individuals, largely for leasing (49.2%), while 36.3% were registered by individuals and 14.4% by businesses. In contrast, individuals dominate the second-hand market with 93.0%, followed by companies (5.6%) and leasing (1.4%).

  5. Second Best Year Ever for New Speed Pedelecs in Belgium, Significant Decline in the Netherlands

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    With 15,672 newly registered speed pedelecs in Belgium, 2023 is the second-best year ever, after the absolute record year 2022. In seven years, the market for new speed pedelecs has increased by +283%.

    There are several reasons for this growth: historically high traffic congestion combined with increasingly better bicycle infrastructure, technological advancement (greater range thanks to more powerful batteries, increased safety thanks to ABS, etc.), and a more widespread and increased cycling allowance. The latter has been raised to € 0.35 per km since 1 January 2024 of which a maximum of € 3,500 is free of tax and social security.

    Second-hand speed pedelecs achieved a record figure of 6,805 units for 2023. That is almost 20% more than in 2022 and whopping 125% more than in 2021. This success can be largely attributed to the increasing number of lease speed pedelecs that become available and are either bought secondhand or resold. Of course, there are also private buyers who are happy to trade in their speed pedelec for a more modern model.

    All in all, new speed and secondhand speed pedelecs reached a total of 22.477 registrations, only 16 vehicles less than in 2022.

    However, there is a significant shift in the market: the explosive growth of the leasing segment, whose market share rose to 49.9% in 2023, at the expense of registrations by both companies and individuals. Particularly, individually bought speed pedelecs dropped a lot (-33.3%), but speed pedelecs bought by companies also declined significantly (-11%).

    Bicycle leasing offers some obvious benefits for companies such as less administrative burden, no worries about maintenance, insurance, or residual value because everything is neatly arranged for them and for the employee.

    To conclude the chapter on leasing, one might wonder if bicycle leasing is following the trend of cars in Belgium. More than half of the fast bikes are leased, and the share of individually bought speed pedelecs is sharply declining. If this trend continues, it will have a significant impact on the organization of bicycle retailers.

    This shift to leasing also has an impact on provincial results because now the provinces with the most leasing companies are disproportionately performing well – especially Vlaams-Brabant and Limburg but also East Flanders. Antwerp, which has many private buyers and fewer leasing companies, has lost its longstanding leadership position for just over a year. Brussels remains unchanged, and in Wallonia, we only see declines. The speed pedelec is struggling to gain traction in the French-speaking part of the country, partly due to less developed bicycle infrastructure, lower traffic congestion, and – specifically for Brussels – competition with regular bicycles and e-scooters in the extended 30 km/h zones.

    The good news is also that from May 1, 2023, all employees in the private sector are entitled to a cycling allowance, which could give bicycle sales in general, as well as sales of speed pedelecs, an extra boost. This is already notable in the success of the new speed pedelecs that are registered through leasing.

    In the Netherlands we observe a different situation: the bicycle market shows a significant decline for 2023 with a total of 4,185 speed pedelecs sold. The speed pedelec market was not hit as hard as the regular bicycle and e-bike market, but many speed pedelec sellers and manufacturers also felt the impact. The level of speed pedelec sales remained below the level of 2021 for several months in 2023.

    Contrary to Belgium, the Netherlands offers few fiscally attractive options for speed pedelec riders. For self-employed individuals (ZZP-ers), there are the MIA (Environmental Investment Allowance) and VAMIL (Random Depreciation of Environmental Investments), but the general public cannot benefit from these, and this is reflected in the sales.

    The best performing brand in both countries is Stromer capturing a market share of 39% in Belgium and 53% in the Netherlands. Additionally, Klever, Gazelle and Giant enjoyed  growth in 2023.

    In Belgium, two Belgian brands are part of the top 10: Ellio and ASKA. With 378 and 198 speed pedelecs sold in Belgium respectively, these young Belgian companies are demonstrating remarkable performance alongside the established brands. A third brand, Spector, had their first sales in 2023 in Belgium.

    Source:

    1. https://www.traxio.be/artikels/speed-pedelecs-jaaranalyse-tweede-beste-jaar-ooit-voor-nieuwe-speed-peledecs-recordjaar-voor-tweedehands
    2. Het speed pedelec jaar 2023: de cijfers in België en Nederland – Speed Pedelec Review

  6. Stromer achieves sustainable growth in 2023, despite cycling industry headwinds

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    Against the prevailing challenges in the bicycle industry, the current financial year has been profitable for myStromer AG, which achieved consolidated growth of over 10 percent.

    Despite overall stagnant or declining markets in Europe, myStromer AG, the parent company of the two premium e-bike brands Stromer and Desiknio, was able to buck the general trend and continue to expand its market shares in the Netherlands and Belgium, and secure its market leadership. In the challenging e-bike market in the United States, the company achieved double-digit growth.

    The company is also preparing itself for growth by strengthening its internal development skills: The number of employees has risen globally to a total of 180 people. A majority of the personnel growth is accounted for by the 25-strong digital hub in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, which is responsible for promoting new developments in the area of the “digital experience”.

    Highlights of 2023 included the introduction of the first drivable prototype with a solid- state ceramic battery for e-bikes at the IAA mobility trade fair as well as the multi-year collaboration with Alinghi Red Bull Racing and the successful launch of two Alinghi Red Bull Racing Special Edition Stromer models.

    With more than 109 million commuter kilometers (67 million miles) traveled with Stromer bikes, the connected Stromer Community was able to save more than twenty thousand metric tons of CO2, which is the equivalent of more than ten thousand round trip flights from London to New York. A substantial contribution to a more sustainable mobility future.

    “The bicycle industry had a much harder time last year than in the boom years during and after the coronavirus. That just amplifies our excitement about the growth we achieved in our core markets. And at this time in particular it is essential that we continue to invest in innovation and growth to improve our market position,” states Co-CEO Dr. Karl Ludwig Kley.

    Forecast 2024
    The coming year will also be an exciting one: myStromer will be presenting a new category of Stromer bikes at the Eurobike 2024 and will unveil further innovations in the course of the year. Continuing to promote the mobility transformation remains the primary goal of Stromer for the coming year. But 2024 will also be marked by innovation development and the expansion of innovation leadership.

    Co-CEO Tomi Viiala is confident: “2024 will remain a difficult year for the industry—and yet we have a positive outlook for the new year. We will surprise the market with a number of innovations. We also believe that the emerging mobility transformation will have a positive effect on the e-bike and S-Pedelec market. We are promoting this transformation with financing solutions and leasing offers and corresponding products that make traffic easier in your day-to-day life.”

    About Stromer

    Founded in 2010 and based in Oberwangen, Switzerland, Stromer is shaping the future of mobility with its Speed Pedelecs. myStromer AG produces all of its e-bikes at the Oberwangen site and is the market leader in the Speed Pedelec category (fast e-bikes up to 28 mph). The company employs around 180 people, has three subsidiaries (USA, Netherlands, and Romania) and sells its S-Pedelecs in 25 countries. “Swissness” is Stromer’s promise of quality, design, precision, reliability, and respect for the environment. Since 2021, the Spanish brand Desiknio has enhanced the product range with high-quality urban bikes (up to 20 mph). With its premium e-bikes and accessories, Stromer offers commuters a contemporary mobility solution. This can be confirmed by the 280 million miles traveled on Stromers. Stromer is #HereToChange. For more information visit stromerbike.com.

    North American Media Contact:

    Hayden Carpenter
    Press Forward
    hc@pressforward.agency

  7. Belgium increases cycling allowance in 2024 but caps tax exemption

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    The Belgian government has decided to substantially increase the maximum tax-free allowance for commuting by bike, e-bike or speed pedelec, raising it from € 0.27 to € 0.35 per kilometer. The new rate is applicable since 1 January 2024. This initiative is based on the Belgian cycle plan ‘Be Cyclist’, which runs since 2021 until the end of this year.

    Vincent Van Peteghem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, explains the increase: “For those for whom it is possible, cycling is an efficient, sustainable, and healthy way to commute to and from work. With the increase in the tax and social exemption for bicycle allowances, we aim to give an extra push to the number of employees opting for cycling. Because more people cycling also means fewer cars on the road, leading to reduced traffic congestion and better air quality. Undoubtedly, it has a positive impact on the health of our citizens.”

    At the same time, an annual ceiling for tax exemption of € 2,500 has been introduced. This ceiling corresponds to an annual distance of 7,142 km, given a cycling allowance of € 0.35 per km. Based on 210 working days a year, this annual distance equals a one-way commute of 17 km. This may seem a realistic calculation, given that 92% of employees who cycle to work live within less than 15 km from their workplace. Nevertheless, there are speed pedelec riders who use their vehicle to commute over longer distances. LEVA-EU’s technical director for instance has a one-way commute of 40 km. In his case, the capped amount only allows for 89 paid commuting days a year.

    It’s not clear why the government has introduced this cap, thus discriminating those riders who contribute most to avoiding emissions and to reducing congestion, whilst using more expensive vehicles than (e)bike riders. Beyond the cap of € 2,500, riders are still entitled to the cycling allowance of € 0.35 per km but the excess amount becomes subject to social security and tax.

    The Belgian government is addicted to taxing everything and anything. The € 2,500 limit is probably a result of that obsession. It is a pity that no cost/benefit analysis has been carried out to determine the savings in external costs resulting from the replacement of a car with a speed pedelec. That analysis would undoubtedly show how counterproductive that cap is.

    On a more positive note, until April last year, employers had no obligation to pay the cycling allowance. In May 2023, employers’ and employees’ organizations reached an agreement to introduce the entitlement to a cycling allowance in all collective labour agreements in the private sector. This however does not mean that employers must pay € 0.35 per km. They are entitled to pay a lesser amount or a fixed amount per commute.

  8. Varied regulations impact speed pedelec usage across Europe

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    A recent study conducted by Mobycon on behalf of the German bicycle industry association Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV) sheds light on the diverse regulations governing speed pedelecs in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The findings reveal significant disparities, with Switzerland and Denmark permitting speed pedelecs on almost all cycle paths, while in Germany, they are restricted to roadways.

    Mobycon conducted this research to compare the slow growth of speed pedelec usage in Germany to other countries. More than 22,000 speed pedelecs were sold in Switzerland in 2022, which accounted for approximately 10 percent of the total number of e-bikes sold. Meanwhile, in Germany 11,000 pedelecs were sold, despite it being a country with a population ten times bigger than Switzerland’s. According to the report by ZIV and Mobycon, these differences are related to the quality of the cycling infrastructure and clear enforceable regulations.

    According to Mobycon, based on current accident data, it cannot be objectively determined whether it is safer for speed pedelecs to be used on roads or on cycle paths. However, the report notes that accidents involving speed pedelecs tend to result in more severe consequences than those with regular bicycles.

    In Denmark and Switzerland the speed pedelec is treated as a bicycle, whereas in the Netherlands the speed pedelec is only allowed on cycle paths if mopeds are also permitted there. Notably, the Netherlands is the sole country among the five studied to have an adjusted speed limit for speed pedelecs on cycle paths.

    In Germany, the prohibition of speed pedelecs on cycle paths is thought to be due to limitations in existing cycling infrastructure, with cycle paths often being too narrow to accommodate speed pedelecs or cargo bikes, and may need to be shared with pedestrians. Unlike the Netherlands, Germany lacks a consistent provision of separate cycling infrastructure; in the Netherlands, cycle paths are mandatory on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h.

    The most lenient stance towards speed pedelecs is observed in Switzerland, where authorities are considering widening cycle paths rather than imposing bans. This nuanced approach highlights the complex interplay between regulations, infrastructure, and the adoption of speed pedelecs across European countries.

  9. Flanders introduces specific rider exam for Speed Pedelecs

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    As of the 1st of October 2023, candidates aiming to obtain a Category AM driver’s license will have the option to take the practical exam using a speed pedelec.

    For those interested in riding a speed pedelec, it is essential to hold either a Category AM or A driver’s license, unless they already possess a Category B license. Previously, the Category AM exam required candidates to use a conventional scooter for testing.

    One of the key highlights of this update is the introduction of examination maneuvers specifically designed for speed pedelecs. This adjustment in the driving exam procedure is of significant importance, considering the accident statistics related to speed pedelecs.

    More information can be found in the following brochure:

    64f18f00a0e595362e56d873_Doc 131-BAN_V.pdf (website-files.com)

    To our knowledge, Flanders is the very first to introduce a specific AM-exam for speed pedelecs. Do you know of any other countries or regions in the EU who already have such a specific exam for speed pedelecs? Do let us know by mail to ineke@leva-eu.com