- We saw a very steep curve about the same time that Anders Tegnell talked about the steep infection curve week 10, says Jonas Holtbo, marketing manager at the Sportson bicycle chain. 

An average day in 2019 cycled just over one million aged 6–84, or 11 percent of the population. Calculated on all trips, almost every nine trips were made by bicycle, according to new figures from the Swedish Transport Agency.

But in the spring, something happened. Corona pandemic has got more people investing in a bicycle. Several retailers testify to this. 

Sportson, which has 25 stores around Sweden, has noticed the trend. Compared to last spring, bicycle sales have increased by more than 30 percent, according to Jonas Holtbo.

- Most people are clear that they do not dare or want to go public. Then there are those who are part-time permits who have time left, but relatively good finances, who choose to get fit. But a lot is about getting to work or business.

And it's one type of bike that stands out in the statistics: the electric bike. 

- Last I checked, we sold more electric bicycles in the spring of 2020 than in the same period 2018 when the state electric bicycle premium existed, says Jonas Holtbo. 

Tony Grimaldi, CEO of the Cycleurope Group, which owns brands such as Crescent and Monark, also highlights the electric bike.

- We see a strong increase. Many people take the electric bicycle instead of the car, or instead of going by public transport. The electric bicycle is becoming a new dimension of mobility.

On the sports giant XXL, sales of bicycles have also increased sharply during the spring, compared with the same period last year. On mountain bikes, the increase is 60 percent. 

- It really stands out. We sell more bikes of all kinds, but there seem to be many who are tempted to take up cycling as a leisure interest. Many people have probably realized that we will be in Sweden this summer, says Anders Andrén, press officer. 

The increased bicycle commute is also marked there. 

- It would be fun if it lasts. 

Jonas Holtbo has the same hope. 

- I hope and believe that people will discover what the bicycle means for mobility, freedom and health, but it depends a lot on the community keeping up and building the right infrastructure.

Javascript is turned off

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Learn more about browser support

The browser is not supported

SVT does not support playback in your browser. We therefore recommend that you switch to another browser.

Learn more about browser support