WASHINGTON, US - Imports continue to dominate the US bike market, with China being the largest source of imported bikes. Although the import market share rose slightly last year, the actual number of imported units dropped 33% last year as American consumers cut back on spending. Although not yet meeting their potential, e-bikes are increasing their presence on the market.
FORT MEYERS, USA - Recent imposition of tariffs on electric bikes and component parts from China, may have derailed the rapid growth of electric bicycles in the USA. These tariffs result in significant price increases in a market that has been accelerating. Retailers and distributors, when asked, state that they simply do not know what the impact will be. But they are worried that such big increases will stall or kill the e-bike market.
SEATTLE, USA - Rad Power Bikes, a Seattle-based direct to consumer e-bike brand, announced yesterday how the company is to address the 25% tariff imposed by the U.S. government on electric bikes and component parts imported from China. The company that claims to North America's largest electric bike company states that the tariff is "Going to hit nearly every U.S. electric bike company and threaten the future of sustainable transportation."
BOULDER, USA - Though the volumes are still small, the US consumer is seriously starting to embrace the e-bike. Between January and July the total market doubled in units and value, as claimed in a recent BPSA (Bicycle Product Suppliers Association) study.
WASHINGTON, USA - As stakeholders in the US market are still discussing whether an e-bike is a motorized bike or not and debating if eMTBs should have access to trails, the electric bicycle market is only growing slowly. Especially when compared to Europe. Everybody is waiting for the moment the market will take-off, but when will that start?
HOLLY RIDGE, USA - The majority of the electric bicycles sold in the USA last year were imported from China or Taiwan. There are some local assembly operations, with the largest one being Prodecotech in Florida. The others are very relatively low volume.
WASHINGTON, USA - The USA has been a market that frustrates many in the electric bike world. While Europe has adopted e-bikes with great vigour and speed, the USA has lagged by about 10 years. But that seems to be both in the past. The USA market is growing significantly although it is not as big as anyone would like for it to be.
HOLLY RIDGE, USA - With a population of more than 316 Million people, buying about 15 million normal bicycles most years, and a demographic that is shifting to an older, but active generation of baby boomers…the USA seems a natural market for electric powered two wheelers.
ALLENTOWN, USA - The core bike shop customers made fewer purchases from the IBDs in the US in 2012 compared to 2000. These bike shop consumers spent 13% points less over the last twelve-years.
ORONO, USA - When e-bikes first really emerged in the US market in the 1990's, there were a handful of generic models available for sale. Merida, Currie, Yamaha, and Honda were all players, but no one model stood out from the others in terms of appearance, performance, and capability. People came into retail locations to buy an e-bike, not a Yamaha. Things have changed since those early says, but there's still a long way to go.
