Sports tourism trips increased by 23% in Spain in the last 4 years, exceeding 4,5 million annual trips. The number of overnight stays related to this type of tourism, which includes cycle tourism, increased by 34% from 2015 to 2019, reaching almost 13 million annual overnight stays, according to the Resident Tourism Survey.
Cycling contributes 1.900 billion to the economy
Cycling contributes to economic activity with approximately 1.900 billion euros in sales and 22.567 jobs in Spain, as highlighted in the report prepared by 2PlayBook and presented by the Spanish Federation ( RFEC ) in collaboration with Telefónica.
According to the report " Cycling, facing its greatest challenge " , 21 million Spaniards own a bicycle, a figure that is increasing due to cycle tourism as a new form of tourism; the use of the bicycle as a sustainable means of transport ; the relevance of professional cycling and the growing organization and participation in cycling events by both men and women.
Outdoor sports, sustainable mobility and cycle tourism boost bicycle use
In Spain, the bicycle industry generates more than 1.871 billion euros in retail sales alone and employs 22.567 people (2019 data), in addition to the hundreds of people involved in events like La Vuelta each year.
Furthermore, the forecast is that the 2020 data will show an even greater increase due to the boom experienced in recent months by outdoor sports and the use of bicycles for mobility and sports practice, especially electric bicycles.
21 million Spaniards use their bicycle regularly
According to data from the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD), 7,9 million people cycle at least once a month as part of their regular exercise routine. The latest government-sponsored study indicates that more than 20 million citizens frequently use bicycles as a means of transport. Furthermore, almost 21 million Spaniards own a bicycle and use it regularly.
In fact, over the last decade, bicycle use has increased by more than 9 percentage points, reaching 50,7% of the population. Furthermore, it's a sport for everyone, as 89,6% of the Spanish population knows how to ride a bicycle, according to a study by the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) at the end of 2019.
Cycle tourism: The average expense per person to participate in sports events increases by 30%
This surge in popularity and democratization of cycling in Spain also explains the spending on bicycles. With a sawtooth pattern, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) shows that each Spaniard spent an average of €148,37 on bicycles in 2019 , compared to €132,88 in 2016.
This boom has also been reflected in spending on participating in sporting events , which has increased from an average of €64,93 to €84,4 per person. Spaniards spent 9,8% more in 2019 on actively participating in cycling and running events, among other disciplines.
Cycle tourism, one of the rising phenomena of sports tourism
Cycling has a significant impact on one of the country's main economic drivers: tourism. 92% of the population aged 12 to 54 knows how to ride a bicycle, and this, combined with the increasing use of bicycles for recreational rather than sporting purposes, is boosting cycle tourism.
In fact, cycle tourism is one of the growing phenomena within sports tourism, an activity that generated 2.258 billion euros in 2019, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
Sports tourism trips in Spain have increased by 23% in the last four years (from 2015 to 2019), exceeding 4,5 million trips annually. In this regard, the number of overnight stays related to this type of tourism increased by 34% during the same period, reaching almost 13 million overnight stays annually, according to the Resident Tourism Survey.
The fact that cycling is one of the most popular sports in Spain is further reinforced by its status as one of the most watched sports entertainment events . Government data ranks it as the sixth most followed sport, adding another layer of cycling's impact on the economy.
Bicycle sales soar
In Spain, 1,26 million bicycles were sold in 2019, a 20,4% year-on-year increase, generating a record €1871 billion in revenue from bicycle and accessory sales. Sales are expected to rise in 2020, driven by the boom in outdoor sports and the use of bicycles for commuting and exercise .
Cycling has experienced its own boom during the pandemic. Covid-19 has catapulted an industry that offers what society needed: agile, open-air mobility alternatives that avoid crowds. In this sense, cities are adapting their mobility plans to include cycling, with all the resulting boost to the green economy.
Employment in the bicycle sector
On the other hand, the bicycle sector represents 26,84% of the total number of workers in the sports industry, with 22.567 people. More than half are concentrated in points of sale, while the rest is distributed among suppliers and factories, among others.
In addition to direct employment, there is also indirect employment generated through cycle tourism and other bicycle-related sectors, where hopes for development in the next decade lie, promoting urban electric models. E-bike sales increased by 11,3% year-on-year in 2019 , reaching 142.766 units.
Wide margin for growth in cycling and women's cycle tourism
Spain has 4.859 registered female cyclists, but it is estimated that 42,8% of Spanish women use bicycles. The market is larger than the number of licenses suggests because, if this discipline has demonstrated anything, it is that it is more than just a sport: it is leisure and a means of transport, two areas that brands are targeting to capitalize on the female market, which represents 51% of the population.
Currently, female federated cyclists only represent 6,4% of the nearly 75.000 registered cyclists in Spain, highlighting the potential for growth in this area. The Spanish Cycling Federation's Women in Bike program , supported by Movistar, stands out, connecting women who want to share their passion for cycling.
