AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - E-bikes continue to be the driving force for the Dutch market. The total e-bike market volume ended at 409,467 units, representing a market share of 47.7%. The total number of bicycles and e-bikes combined ended at 858,126, down from 919,101 in 2023. This year, the national industry association RAI Vereniging included fatbike sales for the first time in their annual report which has resulted in a major shift in the statistics.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - That 2024 was a challenging year for European e-bike markets is no secret. How bad though, is now revealed in the latest EU e-bike import statistics published by Eurostat. The volume of e-bikes imports dropped 27% year-on-year to 642,000 units, slipping below the pre-covid level of 705,000 units in 2019. The import value fared even worse, with a 33% drop year-on-year.
WASHINGTON, US - As the world awaits a year of tariffs and tussles, there was good news for the bicycle market in the US in 2024. The number of non- electric bicycles imported into the country rose again following sharp declines since 2021, the latest US customs data shows. However, with China as the leading supplier, the market remains uncertain.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan exported 47% less e-bikes across 2024, the preliminary custom statistics show. With just under 365,000 units leaving the nation's shores in a year, this is the lowest volume since 2018. The export value also dropped 43% year-on-year meaning the economic ramifications must still be being felt throughout the supply chain.
BUDAPEST, Hungary - The Central European country Hungary is known in the industry as the location for the production facilities of Accell Hunland and Giant Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. In an exclusive interview, Róbert Sipiczki, president of the Association Hungarian Bicycle Producers and Traders (AHBPT) elaborates on the difficult local market situation due to limited sales with the most negative dynamics in the lower price brackets.
FRANKFURT, Germany - The fact that the US e-bike market is lagging behind European counterparts is well-known within the industry. A forecast based on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% over the next 7 years could see the US e-bike market reach 6.7 million units and match regular bicycle sales in 2030. This data presented at Eurobike by eCycleElectric however, represented the most optimistic scenario.
MADRID, Spain - The mismatch between supply and demand has hit the Spanish bicycle industry very hard. Significant stockpiling has been taking place at both distributors and stores. This situation has not been balanced out yet as the 2023 market statistics show. Still, the Spanish industry association AMBE who presented the market data is still confident about the future market. AMBE also noted that 2024 will still be a difficult year for the industry.
ZEIST, the Netherlands - With key markets reporting double-digit sales drops, inventories sky-high and heavy discounting attempting to rid the industry of burdening overstock, e-bike and bicycle imports into the EU nose-dived throughout 2023. With the first quarter of 2024 import data now available from Eurostat, a picture can be drawn of how this year's market might unfold… and there is a glimmer of hope.
TOKYO, Japan - While the corona pandemic caused a veritable bicycle and e-bike boom in the west, this sales boom completely bypassed Japan. The current sales slump therefore isn't based on a sharp drop from new sales records as in the west. For years the bicycle market in the Land of the Rising Sun has been shifting in low gear. The local market slump continued in 2023 and a reversal is not expected in the current year either.
ZEIST, The Netherlands - Undeniably European e-bike sales took a step back last year. In 7 European countries which have already reported their market statistics for 2023, the total volume decreased by 8%, from 4,555,264 units in 2022 to 4,178713 last year.
Undeniably European e-bike sales took a step back last year. In 7 European countries who already reported their market statistics for 2023, the total volume decreased by 8%, from 4,555,264 units in 2022 to 4,178713 last year.
PARIS, France - After four years of strong growth, the French market value of bicycle, parts, and accessories combined decreased by 5.5% in 2023. "There's a dichotomy between bicycle use, which is still growing steadily, and new bike sales, which are running out of steam this year," explained Jérôme Valentin, vice president of the Union Sport & Cycle at the presentation of the 2023 market data.
VIENNA, Austria - Even though the Austrian 2023 bicycle market recorded a double-digit drop in both volume and value sales compared to the previous year, there are several positives to point out. Sales topped €1 billion for the third consecutive year in a row and e-bikes now account for three quarters of the market value. Leasing and investments in cycling infrastructure are also positively influencing the market.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - In Belgium, over 18% fewer bicycles were sold in 2023. Sales decreased from nearly 700,000 to 569,605 units, according to figures shared jointly by Traxio and GfK. However, there are no concerns for the longer term. The e-bike is expected to be the cornerstone of the Belgian market, with specialist retailers playing an essential role in sales.
MOSCOW, Russia - With Western sanctions and the ever-growing isolation of Russia in the international arena, serious pressure is being put on the country's bicycle industry. The shortage of bikes and a sharp rise in price of those bikes available are key problems the sector is currently facing. So where are the bikes and parts needed to support the industry currently coming from?
AARAU, Switzerland - This Swiss bicycle market developed in 2023 in line with other European countries. After the sales peak in 2020-2022, the market volume dropped last year by 18%. While sales decreases were reported in all categories, it was the speed pedelec market that made strong gains.
MILAN, Italy - The 2023 bicycle market in Italy closed with a 23% year-on-year decline in sales volume. Italy's bicycle industry association ANCMA reported a distribution of just over 1.3 million bicycles and e-bikes combined, generating a turnover of € 2.6 billion, a decrease of 18% compared to 2022.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The bicycle industry is eagerly waiting better times. Although some insiders noted slight changes in the market in a positive direction at Taipei Cycle Show this month, leading indicators are not showing any sign of that. The ratio of bicycles shipped to Europe from various countries has changed significantly in 2023 as a result of the current market conditions.