How soon children learn to ride a bike varies significantly between countries. It’s perhaps less surprising that this variance usually comes down to cycling infrastructure or the lack of it in some locations.
As someone from the UK, seeing us fall into the secondary group is disappointing. But running a Family Cycling blog it’s again of no surprise given the challenging environment we face to teach our kids how to ride a bike.
Even our own streets face challenges now due to the sheer amount of cars and the number of day-to-day journeys. I remember as a child we used to play on the streets with minimal distractions. There are estimated to be around 12 million more cars on the road than there were in the late 90’s so it’s no shock to think this is trickier.
Having spent time travelling across Europe you can see the variance by location. The Netherlands leagues ahead of most in this regard.
The data is good as a general guidance in terms of your progress in teaching your child how to ride a bike. It’s also a harsh reality that the UK is falling behind when only 4% of UK residents ride a bike daily compared to 43% in the Netherlands.
| Country | Population (2024 est.) | Typical Age to Learn to Ride a Bike (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Early Learning Countries (4-5 years) | ||
| Netherlands | 17,500,000 | 4-5 |
| Finland | 5,600,000 | 4-5 |
| Denmark | 5,800,000 | 4-5 |
| Belgium | 11,500,000 | 4-5 |
| Group 2: Moderate Learning Age Countries (5-7 years) | ||
| Germany | 83,000,000 | 5-6 |
| Sweden | 10,500,000 | 5-6 |
| France | 65,000,000 | 6-7 |
| UK | 68,000,000 | 6-7 |
| Italy | 59,000,000 | 6-7 |
| Spain | 47,000,000 | 6-7 |
| Croatia | 4,000,000 | 6-7 |
| Group 3: Later Learning Countries (7-8 years) | ||
| Portugal | 10,300,000 | 7-8 |
Key Observations:
- Group 1 (Early Learning): Countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and Belgium have children typically learning to ride bikes at ages 4-5. Strong cycling cultures and infrastructure support this trend.
- Group 2 (Moderate Learning Age): In countries such as Germany, Sweden, the UK, and Italy, the average learning age is 5-7 years. While cycling is common, it is less integrated into daily life than Group 1.
- Group 3 (Later Learning): Countries like Portugal and Croatia have children learning at ages 7-8 due to limited infrastructure and lower emphasis on cycling as a primary mode of transport.
How many continue to cycle?
When looking at data on how many people continue cycling as they age, European countries exhibit significant variation based on cultural norms, infrastructure, and national cycling policies.
- In countries like the Netherlands and Denmark, cycling remains a lifelong habit for many. In the Netherlands, about 43% of the population cycles daily, and another 28% cycle a few times a week. These numbers indicate that cycling remains highly popular among older adults, thanks to well-established infrastructure and a strong cycling culture. Danish adults show similar trends, maintaining high cycling rates as they age.
- In contrast, the UK sees a dramatic drop-off in cycling participation as people grow older. Only 4% of UK residents cycle daily, while a large portion (around 69%) report that they never cycle at all. This is attributed to limited infrastructure and perceived safety concerns, particularly among older people.
- In Belgium, research suggests that cycling is still popular among the older population, with over half of cycling enthusiasts being over 55 years old, highlighting that while cycling remains a valued activity, participation is skewed towards older generations.
These trends emphasise the importance of infrastructure and safety in encouraging lifelong cycling habits. Countries with better cycling infrastructure and a culture of cycling from a young age see higher participation rates across all age groups.
Sources:
Cycling and learning age data:
Derived from studies comparing cycling habits across Europe, including a comprehensive review by Frontiers in Psychology and the L2Cycle international project
Frontiers
ResearchGate
ECF
Additional cultural insights: Provided by reports from the European Cyclists’ Federation and WeLoveCycling on the role of infrastructure and cycling culture
Discerning Cyclist
We Love Cycling magazine
- Cardiff University – Cycling and Wellbeing among Older Populations
Research highlighting the UK’s lag in supporting cycling among older populations compared to other European countries. It discusses the benefits of cycling for mental and physical health and the challenges due to poor infrastructure.
Cardiff University – NewsCardiff University - European Cyclists’ Federation – Cycling Participation Rankings
A detailed report from the European Cyclists’ Federation ranks European countries based on cycling participation, including everyday use and the longevity of cycling habits across age groups.
UCI – European Ranking for CyclingHome - Cycling UK – Cycling Levels in Europe
Data from the European Commission’s Eurobarometer report on cycling frequency across European nations, showing how many people continue cycling into adulthood. This report places the Netherlands and Denmark at the top, with 43% of Dutch people cycling daily, compared to just 4% in the UK.
Cycling UK – European Cycling Levels