Sales increased by 136%! Demand for bicycles in South Korea is rising

It is reported that after the spread of the new coronavirus in South Korea, most people were quarantined at home, unable to do what they liked , and also gained a lot of weight.

On weekends, many cycling enthusiasts would gather on the bike paths along the Han River with their bikes to exercise. Cycling has become the main form of exercise for most people .

It is reported that in 2020 , the total sales of bicycles on the online mall Gmarket increased by 13%. The sales of standard bicycles (including public bicycles and urban bicycles) increased by 24% year-on-year , and the sales of mountain bikes and mini bicycles increased by 15% and 38% respectively.

Cycling apparel sales increased even more, up 53% year-on-year , while bibs and shorts sales increased by a whopping 136%.

It is understood that the popularity of two-wheelers remains hot this year . In the first two months of 2021, the sales of bicycles and bicycle clothing on the online platform Gmarket increased by 9% and 12% year-on-year respectively.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the rental service, known as Seoul Bike, saw a 24 percent year-on-year increase in usage last year , becoming a safe alternative to public transportation. As of the end of last year, the service had 2.78 million users .

In addition, people's interest in bicycles has boosted sales at Samchuly , South Korea's largest bicycle manufacturer and retailer , with sales of Samchuly bicycles increasing 37.5% year-on-year in 2020.

" Over the past few years, sales have been declining overall, but last year, sales have increased significantly, " company officials explained .

He added: "The increase in demand for bicycles is partly due to the difficulty of exercising indoors, coupled with the fact that many people are reluctant to take public transport to school or work. "

Although regular bicycles account for a large portion of sales , sales of high-end models are also growing , with Cello's entry-level high-end road and mountain bikes being particularly popular.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people fell into anxiety and depression. According to data from the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, in the first half of 2020, the number of people receiving anxiety consultations at Korean mental health centers increased by 44.8%, from 13,067 to 18,931.

Cycling can not only consume a lot of energy and lose fat, but also regulate people's mood when their mental health is deteriorating, and get rid of depression caused by staying at home all day.

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