Buying a bicycle is only the beginning: regular riding also depends on access to maintenance. A European Cycling Industries study estimates that about 175,000 bicycle mechanics currently work across Europe, yet roughly 45,000 more are needed to meet demand today.
The study estimates that the sector will need to recruit around 105,000 mechanics by 2032, equivalent to about 60% of its current workforce. Its estimates draw on employment data from bicycle retailers and describe a Europe-wide need rather than a forecast for any one country.
Access to servicing also affects riders. The study estimates that 212 million people in Europe face barriers to maintaining their bicycles; 121 million ride less as a result, while 7.6 million have stopped riding altogether. Workshop capacity is therefore a practical part of everyday cycling, alongside the routes people use.