Cycling is incredibly popular worldwide, and as we move towards a fully green economy, that popularity will only grow. Cycling is an efficient way to avoid traffic on a hectic commute and is great for the environment.
How many bicycles are there worldwide?
Although this question is quite challenging to answer accurately, there were roughly 1 billion bicycles worldwide, twice as many as cars. That was before the pandemic-cycling boom, so the figure will probably have increased dramatically as people took to the cycle paths for exercise, recreation and well-being. Bicycle production has recently expanded to more than 100 million annually (compared to 50 million cars).
Facts about Bicycle Usage by country:
- Since bicycles were introduced in the 19th century, they have been used for a variety of uses: recreation, work, military, entertainment, sports, etc.
- There are an estimated one billion bicycles around the globe, making them the most common means of transportation.
- The first bicycle, known as the “velocipede,” was invented in 1817 by Baron Karl von Drais of Germany. It was driven by the rider pushing off the ground with their feet because it had no pedals.
- The first bicycle with pedals was invented in 1839 by Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan.
- The Tour de France, the most well-known bicycle race in the World, was first held in 1903 and covered around 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi).
- The fastest speed ever achieved on a bicycle is 334.6 km/h (207.9 mph), set by Bruce Bursford in 1996.
- The World’s longest bicycle is 47.5 m (155 ft 8 in) in length and was achieved by Bernie Ryan (Australia) as measured and ridden in Paynesville, Victoria, Australia, on 14 November 2020. ( As of Guinness World Records)
- Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of 85% head injury.
- 364,000 bicycles are produced daily. That’s 15,000 per hour, or 253 a minute, or four bikes a second.
- 47,670 bikes are being sold daily. Yes, every two seconds, someone will buy a bike.
- The production numbers for bicycles are 2.5 times greater than for cars.
- In 2016, Copenhagen declared there were more bikes than cars on its streets for the first time in history.
