In Spain, we are cycling more and more. Year after year, the number of new bicycles sold in our country continues to grow, and in both 2015 and 2016, more than one million units were sold. But how many bicycles are currently circulating on Spanish streets, roads, and mountains? According to data from the 2017 Bicycle Barometer, it is estimated that there are around 30 million bicycles in use in Spain.
Taking into account that the population is around 46.5 million people, this translates to about 0.65 bicycles per inhabitant. Although this figure is below countries like Germany (0.84 bicycles per inhabitant) or the Netherlands (1.3 bicycles per person), the data reveals a clearly growing trend in bicycle use.
In the last eight years, there are 3.5 million more cyclists in Spain. Among them are both those who use the bicycle as a means of urban or interurban transport, and those who use it for sports or recreational purposes. Particularly noteworthy here is the boom in mountain bikes, ideal for those who enjoy cycling in natural environments, and road bikes, perfect for those looking to cover long distances on asphalt and improve their physical performance.
The same study indicates that almost a quarter of Spaniards aged between 12 and 79 ride a bicycle at least once a week. Of these, more than half (54.2%) use it for their daily commutes—such as going to work—while 37.7% use it for sports purposes, reflecting the growth of disciplines such as MTB (mountain bike) and road cycling.
However, the Barometer also highlights some important shortcomings in cities: 85% of Spaniards believe that in order to reduce environmental pollution, it is essential to promote bicycle use over other means of transport such as cars. However, four out of ten people believe that their city is not safe enough nor adapted for cycling.
In this context, 90% of respondents consider the creation of more bike lanes and bicycle parking essential. These measures would not only facilitate urban mobility, but would also encourage more people to use both mountain bikes and road bikes in their daily lives, whether as a means of transportation or as a way to stay active.