The data published by the National Cycle Motorcycle Accessories Association reveals how, in the Peninsula, domestic demand has remained very weak, while the production and export of traditional bikes grows only in some segments. The commercial data of e-bikes relegates Italy, in percentage terms, to the last places in Europe
The Italian bicycle market closes 2025 with still negative numbers, confirming the difficult phase that has already emerged in recent years. This is the picture that emerges from the data processed by Confindustria Ancmathe National Association of Cycle and Motorcycle Accessories, presented on the morning of Tuesday 31 March 2026 at the factory Pirelli Of Boilin the province of Milan. The final budget stands at quota 1,303,000 units sold, including bicycles and e-bikes, with a drop of 4% compared to the previous twelve months. In detail, traditional bicycles drop to 1,047,000 pieces (-3%), while e-bikes stop at 256 thousand units (-7%). The overall data, therefore, returns a market that only apparently limits the decline. The contraction in demand in the specialized channel, in fact, remains significant and continues to reflect the worrying difficulties experienced by a large part of the shop network (-14% of e-bike sales, -8% muscle pedaling), which represents the main reference for the sector and for the vast majority of associated companies. At the same time, the recovery of other sales channels, from specialized large-scale distribution to online, helps to contain the final decline.
industrial production
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On the industrial front, however, 2025 shows timidly more favorable signs for the traditional bicycle sector. Production rises to 1,805,000 units (+6%), exports reach 1,042,000 pieces (+11%), while imports are reduced to 284 thousand units (-28%). Also in value, bicycle exports grow from 276 to 317 million euros (+14.8%), while imports drop from 136 to 133 million (-2.2%). The picture of the e-bike is more complex, recording a slowdown both on the internal market and on the production and commercial side. In 2025 production stands at 281 thousand units (-17%), exports drop to 107 thousand pieces (-20.7%) and imports drop to 82 thousand units (-7.8%). The sector also shows a decline in value: exports go from 153 to 139 million euros (-9.2%) and imports from 138 to 124 million (-10%). Overall, the sector’s trade balance remains positive and substantially in line with the previous year, standing at +172 million eurosagainst +175 million in 2024. A result that nevertheless confirms a certain competitive capacity of the Italian supply chain, even in a market phase that is still weak and uneven. The dynamics of components also contributes to supporting the industrial profile of the sector: in 2025 the export of bicycle parts will grow to 550 million euros (+14.5%), while imports rise to 577 million (+25.4%). These are numbers that signal, on the one hand, a production chain that is still reactive and, on the other, a competitive context that requires close attention to margins, positioning and market policies.
the statements
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“2025 was a difficult year, probably one of the most complex in recent times for the national bicycle market.” Word of Mariano Romanpresident of Ancma, who does not hide some concerns regarding these numbers. “An in-depth reading of the data raises an alarm bell. 2026 will also be a complex year. The sales figure in particular must be interpreted carefully, because behind a relatively limited overall decline, significant suffering is hidden, especially in the specialized channel, which continues to represent the heart of our sector. At the same time, the production, export and trade balance numbers confirm the quality, resilience and industrial capacity of the Italian supply chain, which remains an excellence on the international scene”. In his speech, Roman tried to illustrate the reasons behind these negative numbers, starting from some fundamental factors, such as the lack of necessary investments in adequate infrastructure. What is negative, if compared to the rest of Europe, is the commercial data on electric bicycles. “From my point of view it is an extremely negative figure – underlined Roman – In percentage terms we are in fact in the last places in Europe. If Germany records a figure of 53% and Belgium over 70%, Italy is stuck at 20%a sign that something isn’t working with us. Compared to other European countries, sustainable mobility is a priority in very few local administrations.” Also of the same opinion Massimo PanzeriPresident of Conebi (acronym for Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry). “From my point of view, Italy’s big disadvantage is the average size of the industry, which is relatively small – he underlined -. In Italy the bicycle is not sufficiently perceived as part of mobility, unlike Northern European countries, where local governments encourage the purchase, also from a fiscal point of view”. Finally, Roman launches an appeal: “We need to continue working to support the internal market, enhance the role of specialized retail and accompany the development of cycling mobility with clear rules, adequate infrastructures and industrial policies consistent with the economic and employment weight of the sector. These are the requests that we strongly reiterate to politicians today”.
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