Bicycles outsell cars in Australia again
Bicycles outsell cars in Australia again
- fourth year of million-plus sales
Australians bought more bicycles than motor vehicles in 2005, according to official figures released today by the motor and bicycle industries.
Bicycle sales in Australia topped 1.1 million for the fourth straight year of million-plus sales.
The Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF), Australia’s peak bicycle promotional body, said bike sales for 2005 ended up 13 per cent ahead of the motor vehicles total of 988,269 - the sixth year that bikes had outsold cars.
CPF program director Rosemarie Speidel said the massive rate at which Australians bought bicycles reflected the ever-increasing popularity of cycling as a form of recreation, sport and transport.
“Cycling is Australia’s fourth most popular physical activity after walking, aerobics and swimming - and ahead of golf,” she said.
“The Exercise Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) conducted by the federal and state governments shows that participation in cycling grew by 15.3% from 2001 to 2004.”
By contrast, tennis declined 4.2%, netball declined 7.9% and golf remained stagnant.
“We are seeing more and more people riding bikes for recreation, sport as well as everyday transport, which has to be a good thing for the health of a country where obesity is a major health concern.
There has also been huge growth in cycling events and bicycle tourism, which helps to boost regional economies with the influx of competitors, spectators and tourists.”
Ms Speidel said feedback from the bicycle industry indicated that the strong sales covered everything from everyday recreational bikes right through to high-end road and competition bicycles.
| Year | Motor vehicles*1 | Bicycles*2 | Bikes’ lead |
| 2000 | 787,100 | 926,924 | + 17% |
| 2001 | 772,681 | 774,938 | +0.3 % |
| 2002 | 824,309 | 1,109,736 | + 34 % |
| 2003 | 909,811 | 1,003,844 | + 10 % |
| 2004 | 955,229 | 1,247,981 | + 30 % |
| 2005 | 988,269 | 1,120,337*3 | + 13 % |
Media inquiries: Rosemarie Speidel: 0407 537 760
Ian Christie: 0431 770 982
- Australia was the dominant cycling nation at the Athens Olympic Games, collecting 10 medals including six gold.
- Cycling is the fourth highest participation recreation activity in Australia with more than 1.6 million aged 15 years and older riding in 2004 - an increase of 15.3% on 2001.
- Regular cyclists can expect to be as fit as an average person 10 years younger.
- On a bicycle you can travel up to 1030 kilometres on the energy equivalent to one litre petrol.
- Bicycles are the world’s most popular vehicle - 1.4 billion bikes versus 340 million cars.
- 101 million bicycles were produced globally in the year 2000, versus 41 million cars.
May 3rd, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Sadly many of those bicycles will end up travelling in cars, only to be ridden off-road in parks. Whilst critical mass is a force for good, change will happen only when the real social and environmental costs of car production and use is priced into the cars, the petrol and the infrastructure we so lovingly subsidise. Politicians are currently afraid of admitting that petrol prices not only will rise but should rise. The quicker it happens the better. Bikes rule, OK?
May 29th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
hell yeah gtveloce. i agree, but dont discound off road biking, its great fun, and the best way to get out and see the environment, and it actually gets people on bikes.
MTN-biking played a big part in keeping me on a bike, rather than going from kid who rides bikes to teen car driving nut. instead now i ride bikes.