SUMMARY
The study on the return on investment of bike sharing, published in October 2025, was carried out by Ernst & Young*, commissioned by EIT Urban Mobility** and Cycling Industries Europe***.
This study, a world first, shows the multidimensional impact of bike sharing. The methodology is based on the collection and analysis of quantitative data from European cities, operators, industry experts and public institutions. Surveys of self-service bike users were carried out. Economic and social modeling was carried out to assess the impacts of this service, as well as an analysis of the return on investment.
Key findings:
- Self-service bicycles bring significant economic benefits, estimated at 305 million euros annually. These benefits could triple by 2030.
- They make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases, by avoiding 46,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, and to improving public health, by preventing 900 cases of chronic disease.
- They have a positive impact in terms of traffic congestion relief, as around 15% of self-service bike journeys replace a car journey, and in terms of air pollution reduction, with 200 tonnes of NOx avoided per year.
The key to a successful bike-sharing system:
- Success depends on a good density of stations, easy access and incentive-based pricing.
- The most successful systems incorporate advanced technologies (electric bikes, real-time tracking).
- Structured support from public policy is needed to sustain and develop these forms of mobility.
You can consult the report here.
* EY (Ernst & Young) is an international consulting and auditing firm.
** EIT Urban Mobility is a European initiative dedicated to accelerating the transition to sustainable mobility.
*** Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) is an association representing the European bicycle industry.
Keywords: bike sharing, local authorities, mobility data, decongest, cycling infrastructure, urban innovation, active mobility, sustainable mobility, urban mobility, bike plan, public mobility policies, air quality, CO₂ emissions reduction, mobility ROI, mobility technologies, ecological transition, electric bike.
Illustration :: Donkey Republic (c)
Principaux résultats :
- Les vélos en libre-service apportent des bénéfices économiques importants estimés à 305 millions d’euros annuels. Ces bénéfices pourraient tripler d’ici 2030.
- Ils apportent une forte contribution à la réduction des gaz à effet de serre en évitant d’émettre 46 000 tonnes de CO2 par an et à l’amélioration de la santé publique en permettant d’éviter 900 cas de maladies chroniques.
- Ils ont un impact positif en termes de désengorgement du trafic car environ 15% des trajets à vélo en libre-service remplacent un déplacement en voiture et de diminution de la pollution atmosphérique avec 200 tonnes de NOx évitées par an.
Les éléments pour rendre performant le système des vélos en libre-service :
- Le succès dépend d’une bonne densité de stations, d’un accès simple et d’une tarification incitative.
- Les systèmes les plus performants intègrent des technologies avancées (vélos électriques, suivi en temps réel).
- Un soutien structuré des politiques publiques est nécessaire pour pérenniser et développer ces mobilités
