Australia Sees Surge in Cycling Adoption Amid Rising Fuel Prices

Across Australia, the adoption of e-bicycles and traditional cycling has increased significantly, with retailers reporting a surge in sales and repairs. This trend is occurring as rising fuel prices and global supply disruptions prompt commuters to seek alternative transportation methods. Data from various cities indicate increased usage of cycling infrastructure and a corresponding decrease in car traffic.

Rising fuel prices and global supply disruptions are prompting commuters to seek alternative transportation methods.

Cycling Surges Across Australian Cities

National interest in e-bikes has seen strong growth, as reported by Bicycle Industries Australia.

In Sydney, the City recorded 600,000 bike-sharing trips in March, marking a 25% increase from the previous month. Concurrently, car traffic on major Sydney roads decreased by approximately 5% in March compared to the previous year.

Transport for NSW data indicates that cycling rates in the Sydney Central Business District nearly doubled in March compared to the same period last year.

Cycleways across Sydney are experiencing record usage. The Oxford Street cycleway recorded close to 100,000 uses in March, while the Bourke Street cycleway registered 134,254 uses in March, nearly triple the figure from the previous year.

Retailers Report Exploding E-Bike Sales and Repair Demand

Retailers across Australia have noted a substantial increase in e-bike sales.

• Dennis Lightfoot, owner of Glen Parker Cycles in Perth, reported an increase in e-bike sales from approximately 3-4 units per week to nearly 30 within a 10-day period, with many buyers citing fuel costs.
• Greg Stoyles, owner of Fremantle-based Mercer Cycles, observed that customers previously considering e-bikes made purchases due to current fuel prices. His store also experienced increased demand for repairs and new components for traditional bicycles.
• In a recent week, 99 Bikes reported a 136% year-on-year surge in e-bike sales.
• Chris Moore, owner of Omafiets, noted a demand for entry-level e-bikes and cargo bikes, alongside an increase in services for older pedal bikes, with customers frequently attributing their purchases to high petrol prices.

Commuters Turn to Bikes to Offset Soaring Fuel Expenses

Individuals have cited rising fuel expenses as a primary factor in their decision to adopt cycling.

• Sam Hoskisson, a commuter in Perth, purchased an e-bike after his weekly diesel fuel expenses for his four-wheel drive increased from $60 to $165.
• Katerina Widerington-Oliver, residing in Katanning, 270 kilometers south of Perth, acquired an e-bike to manage increased fuel costs and mitigate transport-related anxieties in a regional setting.
• Jacinta Peperkamp, a Sydney resident, stated she relies on an e-bike due to high fuel expenses, enabling her to commute further distances.
• Violette Kirton, another Sydney resident, is considering selling her car and relying entirely on bicycles due to economic pressure.

Industry Calls for Investment in Cycling Infrastructure

Industry groups and government spokespeople have commented on the trend and related infrastructure needs.

Peter Bourke, general manager of Bicycle Industries Australia, highlighted that entry-level e-bikes, typically costing between $2,000 and $3,000, offer significant savings when compared to the annual costs of car ownership, which include insurance, registration, and fuel.

Bourke advocated for government investment in safe, connected cycling infrastructure to support a long-term shift in transportation patterns.

Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, suggested that governments prioritize substantial investment in active transport infrastructure over short-term fuel excise reductions. McLean stated that the long-term costs associated with owning and maintaining a car exceed those of even high-quality e-bikes. He pointed to the increased usage of new cycleways as evidence of demand for expanded cycling networks, advocating for policies that promote public health and social benefits through cycling.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson noted that public and active transport options, such as walking and cycling, remain affordable modes of travel and acknowledged the influence of global events on transport trends.

The Economic Reality of Car Ownership

Data from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) in late 2025 indicated that average weekly car-running costs were $453, with $94 allocated to fuel. Since then, petrol prices have reportedly increased by almost 50%.

A Global Shift: The Copenhagen Precedent

The shift towards cycling for transportation has been observed historically in other regions. Before the 1970s global oil crisis, Copenhagen's city planners considered removing bike lanes, with only 10% of residents regularly cycling.

Following the economic impacts of the crisis and Denmark's reliance on imported oil, public protests led to increased investment in cycling infrastructure.

From 1975 to 1985, Copenhagen's bicycle network expanded, and currently, approximately 60% of Copenhagen residents commute by bicycle.