The unusual surge in bicycle demand during the pandemic changed production and warehouse plans. European industry figures for 2024, published in 2025, describe sales moving back towards pre-pandemic levels. That change should not be mistaken for bicycles losing their place in everyday life. After an exceptional peak, the market began settling into a more ordinary buying rhythm, and companies had to match new output with bikes already made.
Manufacturers gradually reduced production in 2024 as stock from earlier years was absorbed. Employment adjusted alongside output. The review says existing inventory and domestic production played a larger role in supply than fresh imports. Electric bicycles, meanwhile, remained a substantial part of the market. A calmer overall market therefore does not mean that every segment moved in precisely the same way.
The review draws on national associations, other organisations and industry experts, using estimates where official data was unavailable. That method reveals a broad European direction, but it does not turn every conclusion into a description of an individual country’s shops. Buyers may see a wider choice from existing stock, while manufacturers need a closer reading of current demand. The 2024 story is one of finding balance after an exceptional period, rather than a simple victory of one kind of bicycle over another.