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The BBC says people in 26 European countries bought more bicycles than cars in 2012. There are several reasons for this trend. One is the recession experienced in many countries after the global financial crisis. Countries introduced austerity measures, which left consumers with less money. This meant they bought a bicycle instead of a car. The rise in fuel prices also made motorists think twice about driving. Another reason is that more people got into cycling. The BBC reports that cycling is spreading "beyond the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe".

Around 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought 12 million cars in 2012 and 19.2 million bicycles. The head of the Italian car giant FIAT said this was bad news for car companies. He called it "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy slumped to their lowest levels for five decades. The Italian cycling federation believes there has been "a small revolution in terms of lifestyle". The head of the Italian bicycle maker Bianchi agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can commute with, and top-of-the-range bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."