The Dutch bicycle industry had a stable year in 2024, with the number of new bikes sold declining 7% but with “solid” turnover, according to road user groups RAI Vereniging and Bovag.

E-bikes accounted for 48% of new bike purchases last year, at an average cost of €2,719 each. Fatbikes, under fire because of their popularity under young, inexperienced cyclists, accounted for 13% of sales – or over 111,000. Traditional city bikes accounted made up a further 20%.

In total, the Dutch bought 858,126 new bikes last year while total sales amounted to €1.55 billion, 4% down on the previous year.

National statistics agency CBS said in December almost €700 million worth of bicycles were reported stolen in the Netherlands last year, up €230 million on 2021.

While the average price of a stolen bike was around €350, the most expensive was worth €800, and that is a rise of €110 on two years ago.