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UK e-bike statistics

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From a rare novelty just a mere decade ago, to a staple mode of transport today, electric bikes have gained popularity over the last few years. The last decade has seen a step up in electric vehicle innovation, with e-bikes becoming lighter, more efficient, and gaining increased battery performance. 

With benefits such as regular exercise, a decrease in carbon emissions compared to other vehicles, and pedal-assist making longer journeys more attainable, more and more Britons are opting for electric bikes. From growing popularity to people’s attitudes to e-bikes, we’ve rounded up the most important up-to-date electric bike statistics in the UK.

E-bike UK search data

Electric bikes experienced a massive boom in interest during the 2020 lockdowns, and have remained popular since. The data below comes from Google Trends/Glimpse, and highlights how many people in the UK search for e-bike-related topics each month.

  • In April 2026, 1.4 million people in the UK made searches relating to the topic of ‘electric bikes’, marking a renewed interest that, for the first time, matched a peak last seen in 2020.
  • Monthly UK searches for ‘e-bike’ increased by 77% between August 2025 and July 2026, reaching an all-time high of 88,000 in April.
  • Related topics trending over the same window, when compared to the previous 12 months, include:
    • E-bike price (+550%)
    • E-bike rental (+300%)
    • E-bike insurance (+150%)

‘E-bike verified trust tags’ became a breakout term in 2026 (5,000% + increase in monthly UK searches). This is a new trust mark launched by the UK’s largest bike trade associations to help people identify safe and legally compliant electric bikes.

More information and a full list of verified brands and retailers can be found on the E-bike Positive website. This includes Paul’s Cycles and the brands we sell, such as Cannondale, Giant and Trek.

Why Brits use e-bikes

Two women riding e-bikes in a sunny street

While e-bikes are still far from the largest mode of transport, e-bikes are becoming a more popular option across the UK and are most often used for leisure, exercise and commuting. One in five UK adults (22%) say they are interested in owning an electric bike, according to BikeBiz.

  • YouGov research on public engagement with electric bicycles found that 15% of UK adults have used an e-bike, either currently or previously (YouGov). Uptake was most common in ages 18-24 (22%).
    • Leisure is by far the most common reason for using one, cited by two-thirds of respondents (66%).
    • Other popular reasons are exercise (24%), commuting (21%) and shopping or running errands (14%).
  • 39% of UK adults in a sustainable transport survey said that a reason for buying or considering buying an electric bike was to tackle journeys that are ‘too long’ for a conventional bicycle (International Journal of Sustainable Transportation).
    • 54% choose e-bikes because they are ‘less effort to ride than a conventional bike’ while 26% choose them ‘to avoid car parking problems or costs’.
    • 25% choose e-bikes because they are less expensive than driving, and 15% because they are less expensive than public transport.
  • 47% of car owners say that e-bikes are a suitable alternative to cars for shorter journeys (AutoTrader). Another research study found that 51% of new electric bike riders reduced their car journeys and mileage (Cycling Electric).

Many e-bikes can also replace longer journeys. While covering a distance of 30-60 miles before recharging is the norm, models are available that can go 250 miles before you need to plug back in (Linky Innovation).

E-bike sales statistics

While e-bikes are seen as crucial to reducing car dependency, the UK seems to lag in this shift, trailing behind other European countries in terms of sales. Nonetheless, e-bike sales in the UK are gaining momentum, according to the below figures from Statista.

  • In 2024, around 146,000 e-bikes were sold across the UK1. When calculating this by capita, the UK sold just 2.1 electric bikes per 1,000 people.
  • Germany and France sold the highest volume of e-bikes in 2024 at 2.1 million and 565,230 units, respectively2. Though when considering population size, Norway and Denmark sold more per capita than any other country (36.2 and 36.1 per 1,000 people).
  • 11.36% of bicycles sold in the UK in 2024 were e-bikes, up from just 0.86% in 20153. This is forecasted to continue growing.
  • The average price of a new e-bike is falling, with the European average dropping to €2,350 in 2023, a drop of -5.7% compared to the €2,492 average in 2022.4
  • The global market for electric bicycles is predicted to grow by 16.8 billion US dollars in the next 5 years, meaning it will be worth $51.78billion by 20295.
  • Paul’s Cycles saw a 95% increase in e-bike revenue between January and June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

E-bike safety statistics

Icon representing an electric bike, with text underneath that reads “E-bike speed limit: Motor stops at 15.5 mph”. A second icon representing a cyclist wearing a helmet, with text underneath that reads “Average cycling speed: 16-19 mph.”

Despite attracting more press than accidents and injuries involving standard bicycles, studies published in the Journal of Transport and Health have found that e-bikes have the same likelihood and severity as conventional bicycles, meaning they are no less or more safe.

  • The legal speed limit for an electric bike motor in the UK is 15.5mph. While e-bikes can be ridden at faster speeds, motor assistance stops at this limit (Gov.UK).
  • The average experienced cyclist travels at 16-19 mph on a standard push bike, while most cyclists don’t go above 16 mph, suggesting that the e-bike motor assistance limit creates a speed equivalent to a standard bicycle (Road Bike magazine).

Our guide to UK e-bike laws covers what you need to know about riding safely and legally.

A woman riding a Cannondale  e-bike on a sunny day in the city. She is wearing a black cycling helmet, and a pink short-sleeved shirt and shorts.

Electric bikes take less effort to ride, making them ideal for if you want to arrive at work feeling fresh, while still enjoying the benefits of daily exercise.

  • One in five (21%) of people use their e-bike for commuting (YouGov).
  • A study on the physical benefits of e-bikes showed that a reduction in cardiometabolic risk factors was achieved with just four weeks of e-bike commuting (PubMed).
  • Electric cargo bikes are a growing trend in the UK. Online searches related to this type of transport have become a breakout trend in the last 5 years, meaning interest has increased by more than 5,000% (Google Trends/Glimpse – July 2021 to June 2026 – UK only).
  • Transport for London’s 2025 active travel report shows that 31% of all cycling trips in the city are made by people commuting to and from work, with an additional 8% of trips for other work-related reasons.
    • E-bikes were introduced to London’s Santander Cycles scheme in 2022 and the use of these more than doubled between 2023 and 2025. Between January and September 2025, more than 1,240,889 e-bike trips were undertaken. This accounts for 18% of all journeys, compared to just 6% in 2023. with most of these trips being commuters. (Transport for London).
  • Between January 2019 and March 2023, Lime e-bikes were used by over 1.25 million riders in London, taking over 12 million e-bike trips (Steer Lime Report).
    • Over one-third (39%) of Lime e-bike trips are made for commuting purposes (Steer Lime Report).

Statistics on electric bike benefits

A man riding an e-bike on a sunny day between green trees in the countryside. He is wearing a black cycling helmet, dark grey shirt and light grey shorts.

Some may think that electric bikes reduce the amount of physical activity compared to regular bikes, but did you know that the opposite is true? A study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Physical Health shows that electric bikes allow riders to reach a higher weekly energy expenditure than conventional cycles due to increased distance covered.

  • Using e-bikes instead of cars could reduce car CO2 emissions in England by up to 50%, approximately 30 million tonnes annually (CREDS).
  • Switching from a daily car journey to an e-bike can save an average 249 g of CO2 for every 1 km travelled (Scottish Power).
  • Travelling by bike contributes to living longer with less chance of needing hospital treatment for any illness (BMJ). E-biking can enhance physical fitness by 10% (TRANSITION Clean Air Network).
  • 86% of surveyed Association of Cycle Traders members see e-cycles as a key area for their business. By 2050, the e-bike sector could contribute at least £1 billion gross value added to the UK economy and support a minimum of 40,000 jobs (Department for Transport).

Find out more about the benefits of e-bikes on the Electric Bike Alliance website.

Find the perfect e-bike for you at Paul’s Cycles

Are you looking for the perfect e-bike, but not sure where to start? Check out our electric bike buying guide, with helpful tips on how to choose between different bike types, batteries, and activities, or check out our range of e-bikes here.

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