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Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

650,000 Jobs In Europe’s Growing Bicycling Economy

Author:     Cynthia Shahan
Source:     CleanTechnica
Publication Date:     November 25th, 2014
 Link: 650,000 Jobs In Europe’s Growing Bicycling Economy
Stephan:   One of my Dutch readers wrote to ask me why I didn't do a story on how big the bicycle industry is. She said she was a bicyclist, and her brother made a good living maintaining bicycles.  To be honest I had never looked into it. I assumed a few tens of thousands were involved. When I went looking I was very surprised, as you may be, at how many people are involved in this economic sector in Europe. How many jobs are involved. I think this is excellent news. May it be repeated in the U.S..

groningen-bike-intersections-270x202Bicycling is splendid for the health. It is emits zero emissions. It increases economic activity and local jobs… particularly in Europe. Employment in Europe’s cycling industry is up and is reportedly outdoing other major industries.

It follows that, as people explore Europe, they do as the natives do — they bicycle. European bicycle tourism has also been growing, and the industry now employs 524,000 people. This, bike manufacturing, bike retail, bike infrastructure, and bike services together provide jobs for 655,000 people.

In the Netherlands, it is commonplace for moms and dads to take their children to school on bicycles. Many also commute to work on bike. The post comes by bicycle. Businesses use bicycles for deliveries. The Netherlands leads the way, along with Copenhagen, Denmark, in all things bicycle, but Europe as a whole is a league (or more) above North America.

The Guardian reports on a comprehensive study, Jobs and job creation in the European cycling sector, on the matter of the European bicycle economy. The study was commissioned by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and will be published next month. “Some 655,000 people work in the cycling economy – which includes bicycle production, tourism, retail, infrastructure and services – compared to […]

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