An increase in cycling between the first half of 2024 and 2025
In all the countries studied, the figures show a 5% increase in bicycle use between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2025. This increase breaks down into a 6% rise on weekdays , and a 2% rise at weekends (still compared to the same period in 2024).
Significant increases in use in Ireland, Belgium and France
Of the 12 countries analyzed, the vast majority are recording an increase in the number of people cycling, with Belgium, Ireland and France topping the podium.
The presence of these countries reflects a strong commitment to cycling development policies at national level.
In Belgium, the government is preparing a new cycling plan, BeCyclist 2.0, to succeed BeCyclist 1.0, which ended in 2024. The first plan introduced bicycle allowances and a national register against theft, but lacked coordination and prioritization. Proposals for the new plan include new measures such as compulsory registration of new bikes, a uniform bike allowance, improved infrastructure at stations, and promotion of bike tourism.
Ireland has been investing in cycling for many years, and this is starting to show in the figures ! Looking ahead,Ireland's new National Cycle Network, announced in 2024 by the Department of Transport, envisages the creation of 3,500 kilometers of safe cycling corridors, linking 200 towns and villages and serving 2.8 million people. The network, which will be mainly separated from road traffic, hasa budget of €677 million to complete 1,000 km by 2030 !
In France, the phenomenon has also been widely documented: the combination of the health crisis, major investment through successive National Bicycle Plans, and awareness of the many advantages and benefits of daily cycling have led to a very sharp increase in ridership since 2019. In addition to all these factors, the weather at the start of 2025 has been particularly good, which also partly explains the observed increase.
Historical cycling figures
Over the long term, using 2019 bicycle traffic as a reference point, we can observe how overall bicycle traffic on the panel is evolving.
After a sharp rise in traffic in 2020, linked to the health context (need for physical exercise, outdoor activities), traffic declined slightly in subsequent years, but nevertheless stabilized at around +8% compared to 2019.
When looking more closely at the UK, we observe a similar trend: the increase between 2019 and 2020 is visible, and followed by a steady average bicycle traffic in the following years.
The story is different in Ireland as discussed already previs
The story is different for Ireland however, as previously discussed: we observe an increase in 2020, then followed by a slight decrease until 2023, before rising again, in the line of a positive context for bicycle use nationally.
Do you want to find out more and explore trends in other countries?
Are you interested in specific trends for North America? Stay tuned, we will unveil them very soon in a follow-up article, with a specific analysis made to explore trends by North American regions!
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