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Shared electric bicycles parked on a street in Paris, France, in June (local time). / Paris Correspondent Lim Yoo-jung

With fuel prices climbing again in France, electric bicycles (e-bikes) are gaining popularity as an alternative mode of transport to internal combustion engine vehicles.

According to local media outlets Franceinfo and RMC on the 10th (local time), e-bike sales across major retailers have been rising since late summer, coinciding with the start of the new school term this year.

In France, fuel prices—which had somewhat stabilized after June—surpassed the 2-euro mark again in August. In response, French commuters are turning their attention to e-bikes rather than traditional fossil-fuel-powered cars and motorcycles.

Sporting goods retailer Intersport announced on the 6th that its e-bike revenue during this period jumped approximately 39% year-on-year, while sales volume rose 30%.

Multisport retailer Decathlon reported consistently high demand for urban e-bikes, particularly cargo e-bikes equipped with rear racks capable of carrying children or luggage.

Alongside the market for brand-new models, the refurbished sector—which reconditions and sells returned or pre-owned bikes—is experiencing parallel growth.

Jean-Adrien Monlaü, France country manager at Upway, an e-bike refurbishment specialist, explained, "Commuters who switch from a car to an e-bike can save roughly 50 to 70 euros (approximately 75,000 to 105,300 won) per month."

According to Prix-carburant, a service comparing pump prices across France, the national average as of the 11th stood at 2.14 euros (about 3,220 won) per liter for gasoline and 2.22 euros (about 3,340 won) per liter for diesel.

Obstacles remain, however. Subpar cycling lane infrastructure and steep price tags continue to pose barriers to replacing combustion engine vehicles with e-bikes.

New e-bikes at Decathlon start at a minimum of 999.99 euros (approximately 1,505,300 won). The cheapest refurbished option listed on Upway, the French second-hand bike platform, is a 2022 model with 1,309 km on the odometer, priced at 699 euros (about 1,052,220 won).

Virgile Caillet, secretary general of the Union Sport & Cycle, told Franceinfo, "It is difficult to draw a direct line connecting the rise in e-bike sales solely to surging fuel costs." He pointed out, "While replacing combustion engine vehicles is viable in urban environments where e-bike use is comparatively advantageous, making that transition in rural areas is far more challenging."

                                                                                                            Lim Yoo-jung