Reference guide
European cycling tourism statistics
Key figures on the routes, infrastructure, economy, and everyday cycling culture that shape active travel in Europe.
Last updated July 30, 2026
Europe's bike-and-boat journeys are built around a much bigger cycling culture: connected routes, local riders, and destinations where a day on two wheels is part of ordinary life. The statistics below are selected for easy reference, with a source and publication date attached to every figure.
900,000+ km
of cycling paths and lanes mapped across the EU
The European Commission's first EU-wide Cycling Counts baseline identified more than 900,000 kilometres of cycling paths and lanes.
Source: European Commission, June 2026 ↗Almost 24%
of EU residents cycle
The same EU-wide study reports that almost one in four residents cycle, showing how firmly cycling is embedded in everyday European travel.
Source: European Commission, June 2026 ↗EUR 4.5 billion
earmarked for cycling from 2021 to 2027
EU and national programmes have earmarked EUR 4.5 billion for cycling in the 2021-2027 period, including plans for more than 12,000 kilometres of new or upgraded paths.
Source: European Commission, October 2025 ↗14.7 million
bicycles made in the EU in 2022
European bicycle production reached 14.7 million units in 2022, up 29% from 2012.
Source: European Commission, October 2023 ↗1.3 million jobs
supported by Europe's cycling sector
The European cycling sector is estimated to support 1.3 million jobs and contribute around EUR 21 billion to GDP.
Source: European Commission, December 2025 ↗17 routes
make up the EuroVelo network
EuroVelo is a network of 17 long-distance routes connecting countries across Europe for both touring riders and local journeys.
Source: EuroVelo, accessed July 2026 ↗153,000 km
of Dutch roads and paths welcome cyclists
Statistics Netherlands counted 153,000 kilometres of roads and paths where cycling is permitted, a network 3.8 times the Earth's circumference.
Source: Statistics Netherlands, 2023 ↗Routes in context
Three long-distance routes that show the scale of European cycling.
Sources and use
How to cite this page
This guide uses figures from European institutions, EuroVelo, and Statistics Netherlands. Each statistic links directly to its original source. Figures reflect the source's stated date, rather than being recalculated or estimated.
Boat and Bike Tours to Go. “European Cycling Tourism Statistics: 2026 Reference Guide.” Updated July 30, 2026. https://boatandbiketour.com/european-cycling-tourism-statistics
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