Published on 30 September, the NextGen Mechanics report draws on more than 600 responses across 30 European countries and discussions with industry participants. It examines how workshop staffing shortages affect the development of the bicycle sector.
Its estimates put the current workforce at around 175,000 mechanics, with another 45,000 needed to meet existing demand. The projected recruitment of roughly 105,000 people by 2032 also includes replacing workers who leave. It therefore cannot simply be added to today’s workforce as net employment growth.
The separate Shimano State of the Nation survey involved 25,000 people. Its extrapolated estimate links maintenance barriers with reduced cycling among around 121 million Europeans. Those barriers include cost, waiting times and access to repair services; they extend beyond the number of mechanics alone.
The report’s proposals address vocational training, staff retention and the economic viability of maintenance. For riders, these industry questions become tangible when a bicycle is waiting for repair. Europe-wide estimates, however, do not measure the size of Latvia’s mechanic shortage.