News: Shimano, the world's largest manufacturer of bicycle components, recently presented the results of the "Shimano Steps E-Bike Index 2020". As part of the study, the company asked more than 13.000 cyclists across Europe about e-bikes. The findings are interesting.
E-bike boom continues
It only takes two eyes to realize that more and more e-bikes are on the road. It feels like every second wheel is already running with an auxiliary unit. The Shimano study confirms this impression. According to this, 24 percent of those surveyed stated that they already owned an e-bike or that they wanted to get one in 2020. The figures are backed up by an investigation by the specialist insurer Wertgarantie. According to this, in 2019 there were already 5,9 million e-bikes on the road in Germany.
This corresponds to an increase of 2018 million compared to 1,4. What is particularly interesting here is that 22 percent of the potentially interested parties belonged to the less bicycle-savvy target group. They stated that they usually only get on the bike every three months. The bottom line is another finding: if you cycle a lot anyway, you are less likely to buy an e-bike. The average e-bike prospect with the highest buying interest, on the other hand, rides his bike 1-2 times a week.
More questions and answers
Just as interesting as simply owning an e-bike or the intention to buy are the reasons for the purchase, the planned use or arguments against buying an e-bike. Here, too, the "Shimano Steps E-Bike Index 2020" provides interesting results:
Reasons to buy an e-bike:
- Coping with inclines or long distances (32%)
- Promote physical health (30%)
- E-bikes require less effort than a classic bicycle (30%)
- Improvement in mental health through e-biking (22%)
- Save time when traveling and commuting (21%)
- Save money compared to own car and public transport (19%)
- Reduced environmental impact (18%)
- Travel time becomes more predictable with e-bikes (12%)
- E-bikes are the technology of the future (12%)
- Driving in the community also with different performance levels (8%)
In the opinion of Europeans, what speaks against buying e-bikes?
- E-bikes are too expensive (40%)
- I don't like cycling (19%)
- E-biking does not improve fitness (19%)
- I can't safely store an e-bike (16%)
- E-Bikes are “Scams” (13%)
- I can't store my e-bike at home (12%)
- I would not feel safe driving (11%)
- I don't know enough about e-bikes (10%)
- E-bikes are for older people (5%)
When asked about the use of the e-bike, the respondents gave different answers. A good third (31%) see the e-bike as the ideal solution for leisure and family cycling. Commuting and traveling came second with 28%. In contrast, only 16% of respondents use e-bikes for sport. Only 11% even use it to transport heavy loads (including groceries and children).
If you are still undecided which e-bike to get, then take a look at our e-MTB test yearbook and find out more.
https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2020/07/e-mtb-test-2020-fazit-emtb20/