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\MUNICH, Germany – Munich’s Bike Expo saw its second edition last week, from July 22 to 25. Compared with the 2009 edition, Bike Expo evolved into a full scale bicycle show. For the 2010 edition Mess Munich could report a substantial increase in trade visitors.

On Thursday and Friday more than 5,700 industry professionals came to the event, while some 20,000 consumers visited Bike Expo on Saturday and Sunday. Among the trade visitors, Bike Expo proved popular for people from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the neighbouring Central Eastern European countries.

The German dealer cooperative ‘Zweirad Experten Gruppe’ better known as ZEG still leaves a very clear mark on the show. Although ZEG’s presence, with their members-only-booth and a Bulls presentation was still very clear, it was less overwhelming compared to last year. “We are most satisfied with Bike Expo as some 95% of our members attended our annual meeting during the show”, said ZEG CEO Georg Honkomp.

In the years ahead Bike Expo is expected to obtain its position like many others on the crowded market of bicycle shows. Although the dates are still much discussed, Messe Munich holds on to the same period for next year as well. For many exhibitors July is clearly too early as we often could only see the product without getting any specifications or in some cases they could only show us the drawing while adding “next month at Eurobike everything will be ready”. Apparently the industry still has to adapt to the moving show dates.

New Award Introduced at Bike Expo

The Bike Expo 2010 saw the introduction this year of the BrandNew Awards. 116 entrants from 15 countries submitted their innovative products, covering new mobility concepts, complete bicycles, components and apparel, to cycling related online offers and sports nutrition. The entries were evaluated by a jury of 11 experts.

The overall winner was the Copenhagen Wheel, presented at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This wheel features a kinetic energy recovery system integrated into the bike’s rear wheel. It stores the energy created by braking in a battery and whenever the rider needs a little assistance the battery releases the stored energy. Other categories of this award were: Urban, Bike, e-bike, single speed bike, accessories, protection and apparel. All winning products were presented in the BrandNew Awards village.