61% of French people do not insure their bicycles despite fears of theft

Cycling in France has experienced a real boom in recent years, driven by environmental, economic, and public health considerations. More and more French people are adopting this mode of transportation, whether for their daily commutes, leisure activities, or vacations. 

This surge in popularity is part of a growing trend toward more sustainable modes of transportation, supported by the development of cycling infrastructure and public policies that promote sustainable mobility. This phenomenon also reflects a growing awareness of the benefits of cycling: reduced CO2 emissions, improved quality of life, and health benefits. That is why, with the launch of its new cycling-focused product line, the insurtech company Leocare conducted a study on cycling habits among the French.

French People Who Cycle Regularly
In France, 60% of the population reports cycling regularly, with 27% of them doing so several times a week. The 18–24 age group is particularly active, with 67% of them saying they cycle regularly. Cycling habits also vary by region: in rural areas, 40% of residents rarely use their bikes, while in Paris, 37% say they cycle several times a week.

A mode of transportation deeply rooted in their daily lives
In France, cycling is primarily practiced for leisure or recreational rides, with 77% of cyclists preferring it for these types of activities. Next comes physical exercise, which motivates 49% of users. Finally, 25% of French people use bicycles for practical travel, a practice that is particularly prevalent in Paris, where 36% of residents report using their bicycles as a daily mode of transportation.

But they tend to overlook the insurance aspect
In France, 61% of cyclists do not insure their bicycles, even though 59% consider theft protection to be essential. The top three levels of coverage that French people consider essential in bicycle insurance are:

1. Theft protection
2. Liability coverage
3. Accidental damage coverage

Fear of theft is particularly pronounced in Brittany, where 72% of residents are concerned about it. Furthermore, in the Pays de la Loire region, 60% of cyclists consider insurance essential, but more so to protect against accidental damage than to guard against theft. Nearly 1 in 4 cyclists (23%) believe that insurance for their bike is unnecessary. This figure rises to 33% in Occitanie and 39% in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

The main barriers to purchasing bicycle insurance in France are, first, the perception that bicycles are used too infrequently to justify such an expense—a reason cited by 38% of cyclists. Second, 35% of cyclists believe that the cost of insurance is too high. Finally, 25% of French people say they simply did not know that bicycle insurance existed, highlighting a lack of information about this protection option.