Strong Shifts in 2007 French Market

PARIS, France – Last week the French industry association Tout à Velo reported on the 2007 bike sales in France. The report shows some remarkable shifts in the French market. The number of bicycle sold last year remained stable at 3.66 million units. However the turnover increased by 6% compared with 2006.

The strongest growth segment was city bikes with an increase of  39% maybe influenced by the huge popularity of the rental systems like Velib in Paris. The number of junior bikes, except MTB’s, that left the bicycle shops went up by 15% while the always strong segment of road racers gained another 8%. The MTB segment suffered most of the shifts in the market. The number of adult MTB sold dropped by 5% while the junior MTB segment went down by 13%. The MTB has lost its majority share in French and is representing less than 50% of the market.

e-Bike Sales Booming

In line with the surrounding countries, the sale of e-Bikes in France has picked up very rapidly last year. Although the relative market share still remains small at 0.6%; the number of units sold last year ended at 10,000, a rise of 40% compared with 2006.

Sports chains managed to improve their position in the market by raising their market share from 48% in 2006 to 50%. The market share of the mass merchants markets decreased to 26.5% while the IBD’s remained stable at 23.5%.

Total sales 2007 in units:

MTB: 1,700,000
Junior Bikes (except ATB) 670.000
Hybrids: 500.000
City Bikes: 230.000
Racing bikes: 200.000
Kid Bikes: 140.000
BMX: 120.000
e-Bikes: 10,000