Romania ranks sixth in the EU in terms of bicycle production, as the country has produced 820,000 bicycles in 2014, according to a report of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry CONEBI.

A total of 11.93 million bicycles were produced in the EU in 2014, some 5% more than in the previous year.

Italy produced the largest number of bicycles last year – 2.72 million, followed by Germany – 2.13 million, Poland – 991,000, Bulgaria – 950,000, The Netherlands – 850,000, and Romania – 820,000. On the other hand, Slovenia produced only 5 bicycles in 2014, being at the bottom of the ranking.

When it comes to bicycle parts and accessories, the EU total market had a value of EUR 1.66 billion in 2014. Romania ranked third with EUR 220 million, after Italy – EUR 491 million, and Germany – EUR 286 million.

The report also shows that some 20.23 million bicycles were sold in the EU in 2014, 2.3% more than in 2013. Most of the bikes were sold in Germany – 4.1 million, the Great Britain – 3.63 million, and France – 2.97 million. By comparison, only 370,000 bicycles were sold in Romania.

When it comes to the average price of a bike, The Netherlands comes first with a value of EUR 844, followed by Germany – EUR 528, Sweden – EUR 458, Spain – EUR 451, and Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg – EUR 450. Romania has one of the lowest average prices – EUR 125.

In terms of employment in the European bicycle and bicycle parts and accessories industries, Romania is at number seven in the ranking, with 1,600 people active in this field. A total of 27,670 people work in these industries in the EU, most of them being employed in Germany – 3,800.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com