Total sales of electric bicycles, e-MTBs and speed pedelecs in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands – the four main markets in Europe - increased by a combined 21 percent in 2017, according to reports in Bike Europe. France showed the biggest increase in the group, with figures up by around 50 percent last year and 200,000 units sold. France's remarkable performance was driven by a national incentive scheme of €200 per purchased e-bike from the government. Italy came in second with a 25 percent increase and 155,500 e-bikes sold, followed by Germany with a 19 percent increase and 720,000 units sold, and the Netherlands with 9 percent and 294,000 units sold.