01/11/2025
First-of-its-kind EY study puts hard facts behind impact of bike-sharing
Jan-Willem van SchaikPublished: 27 Oct 2025Last update: 31 Oct 2025
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First-of-its-kind EY study puts hard facts behind impact of bike-sharing
Bike-sharing was viewed as a niche experiment for years. Today, it stands as one of the most underrated urban innovations, a tool that does far more than cut carbon emissions. - Photo Voi
ZEIST, the Netherlands - Bicycle rental systems and subscription-based models, like Swapfiets, represent a cycling mobility trend that opened the market for more existing and new cyclists. Until recently, only the number of bicycles out in the streets and the number of users were available. For the first time, the social and economic impact of the trend has also been quantified in two separate market studies by the consultancy Ernst & Young (EY) and the German industry organisation Zukunft Fahrrad.
Bike-sharing was viewed as a niche experiment for years. Today, it stands as one of the most underrated urban innovations, a tool that does far more than cut carbon emissions. The revenue of bike sharing was always unknown, and its implementation very much depended on the passion for cycling of local authorities. “We no longer can rely on the passion for cycling when it comes to convincing urban planners,” said Nick Brown, CEO of UK-based bike sharing system supplier Velogik, during the presentation of the EY report at the Cycling Industry Summit.
Talking money
“Selling passion for cycling is not a strong sales argument. You need to speak the language of the decision makers, and that’s money. For them, the return on investment is relevant. EY has now built a financial model to quantify the social and economic effects of bike sharing.” The study is based on 438,000 bikes on the road in the EU27+UK in 2024, which makes an average of two rides per day. Based on forecasts, this number is expected to increase to four riders every day. At the same time, the volume of shared bikes available in the EU 27+UK is expected to grow from four bikes per 1,000 inhabitants now to six bikes by 2030.”
The EY study was commissioned by Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) and EIT Urban Mobility, is the first of its kind globally to put hard financial evidence behind the impact of bike-sharing. The EY study estimates, based on 2024 usage, that bike-sharing generates €305 million in positive externalities annually. These benefits range from cleaner air and healthier citizens to reduced congestion and job creation. This study demonstrates the transformative power of bike share programs and sets a new benchmark for understanding cycling’s true economic and social value.
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A smart public investment
Bike-sharing schemes save 46,000 tons of CO2 emissions yearly, but their real value lies in broader societal gains. By replacing car trips, they slash air pollution, preventing 968 chronic diseases and saving €40 million in healthcare costs, according to the study. They also ease traffic, reclaiming 760,000 hours lost to congestion — worth €30 million in productivity gains. And with 6,000 direct jobs supported, they foster local economies while making mobility affordable, cutting transport costs by up to 90% compared to cars.
For cities, the study shows that every euro invested yields a 10% annual return, generating €1.10 in positive externalities. By 2030, these benefits could triple to €1 billion if bike-sharing is prioritised.
Specific data for the German market
In conjunction with the EY study, Zukunft Fahrrad conducted a survey on the total number of shared bicycles and bike subscriptions in Germany on 1 September 2025. According to the study, there are currently around 115,000 shared bicycles in use across the country. This number includes more than 57,000 e-bikes and over 1,900 cargo bikes. In addition, approximately 100,000 bicycles are part of bike subscription services. Commercial subscription bicycles, such as those used for food delivery, tourist rentals or company bike leasing, are not included in these figures. This data has not been available until now.
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‘More people cycling’
“The ‘use rather than own’ principle gives more people access to cycling,” writes Wasilis von Rauch, Managing Director of Zukunft Fahrrad, in a statement. “Compared to purchasing, bike sharing and bike subscriptions offer calculable monthly costs and, thanks to included insurance and maintenance costs, increase the likelihood that a bike will be usable at all times. Those who cycle regularly also actively contribute to their own health and, as the EY study now shows, demonstrably relieve the burden on the healthcare system.”
The Zukunft Fahrrad survey in Germany doesn’t disclose the market potential of the shared bicycles and bike subscriptions.
