A new pan-European report of over 13,000 people from 11 countries for Shimano's Steps electric drive shows that a quarter of Europeans (24%) already own an e-bike or are likely to buy or use another one this year compared to last year. In Switzerland in particular, the figure is much higher, at over two-fifths (41%), making it the highest in Europe.

The Shimano Steps E-Bike Index 2020 aims to compare and examine attitudes towards e-bikes in the most important European countries. What is holding back the widespread adoption of e-bikes and why people are switching to e-bikes for commuting, leisure and transportation. In the UK, for example, the number of people wanting to try an e-bike is the lowest at just 7%, while in Italy almost one in three (30%) say they will buy or use an e-bike this year. Here in Switzerland, it is a promising sign that the 18-34 age group, at 31%, is the age group most likely to use an e-bike.

1000 people were surveyed across Switzerland, and when asked why they might be more likely to buy a bike this year, a quarter (23%) said it was to improve their physical health. In addition to health reasons, there are also increasing environmental reasons for using an e-bike - 17% in Switzerland say they are likely to start using an e-bike because they are concerned about the environmental impact of getting around.

Although many people in Switzerland want to use a bike to improve their physical health, there are still some who are neutral or less likely to use or buy an e-bike because they don't think it will improve their fitness. And 13% of respondents said it might put them off. However, a recent study conducted by the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity shows evidence that e-bikes can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and thus e-bikes can help meet physical activity recommendations and increase physical fitness. As such, e-bikes offer a potential alternative to conventional cycling.

In addition to physical health, the Swiss also recognize the mental health benefits of riding an e-bike: One in five (19%) say that this would be one of the main reasons for using or buying an e-bike this year. The majority (23%) say they would use an e-bike for leisure or family adventures - suggesting that the appeal of an e-bike is not just limited to commuting (although 17% will use their e-bike to get to and from work).All figures are from YouGov Plc unless otherwise stated. The total sample size was 13,412 adults in the Netherlands (1,000), Italy (1,031), Denmark (1,028), France (1,012), Sweden (1,019), Germany (2,113), the UK (2163), Switzerland (1,000), Norway (1,009), Spain (1,040) and Poland (997). The fieldwork was conducted between March 30 and April 29, 2020. The survey was conducted online. The figures were weighted equally for each country in order to obtain an "average value".shimano-eu.com