The European bicycle market ended up in the inevitable correction phase after the corona related sales boom. It goes without saying that this situation was expected, the question was only, when? While 2022 sales are lower than 2021 throughout Europe's main markets, the e-bike continues to drive the market. What's happening? This Online Magazine examines the market developments in 2022 and the impact this has on product developments expected at Eurobike.
As market shares for e-bikes across Europe grow, so does the need for the correct regulatory framework to help this booming business thrive. This online magazine looks at the legal changes being made and what is on the horizon, including the new battery regulation which is aimed at developing a competitive and sustainable battery industry in Europe. Also, as a last mile delivery opportunity and eco-friendly alternative to a car, the relevance of the cargo bike is growing. A new European standard for this category is needed to help standardise the legal patchwork that exists throughout Europe.
For most international industry peers, the 2023 Taipei Cycle Show will be the first time since 2019 that they set foot on the island again. The 2020 edition was one of the first international shows to be cancelled because of the pandemic and due to strict governmental entry regulations an international event was not possible last year. 2023 marks a welcome return of one of the premium events on the bike industry calendar.
For a long time the bicycle industry has been able to rely on the fact that cycling itself is considered sustainable, but that is changing. Manufacturers across the industry are now examining their own practices and making changes to the production process. Big steps are currently being taken to ensure the industry is set up for a sustainable future.
An increasing number of new technologies have entered the e-bike market and for many consumers this has become an essential part of their purchasing decisions. The development of new parts and accessories has also shifted its focus to e-bikes. The new products introduced for MY 2023 (and even 2024) show that innovation is pushing forward.
Following the initial cancellation of orders and period of uncertainty at the beginning of the corona pandemic in 2020, it soon became clear that the pandemic was going to bring a completely new set of challenges to the bicycle industry. What followed was two years of supply chain woes in a booming market.
European bicycle markets counted wins and losses in 2021, with the difficulties in supply chain hampering availability. But one thing that can't be ignored is the success of the e-bike with market shares rising across all key markets. Eurobike 2022 at its new location in Frankfurt will also be a new opportunity to view a whole range of new ideas and concepts in the field of connectivity, data collection, electronic shifting and sustainable/local production.
For the fourth consecutive year Taiwan reported a double-digit hike in e-bike exports. Despite supply chain constraints and booming transportation costs, the market continues to expand. However, 2022 comes with new challenges. How is the industry handling these dynamics and does it impact innovations, an important driver for the e-bike market? Taipei Cycle Show 2022 gave some insights.
2020 and 2021 gave a push to cycling as never seen before. The industry gave everything to handle expanding demand despite supply chain constraints and booming transportation costs. Was this effort enough to keep the consumers engaged? 2022 will be the year in which it will become clear whether the bicycle and e-bike have really become the preferred urban mobility mode.
The UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow earlier this month will give an unexpected push to cargo bikes. Active lobbying by cycling organisations resulted in the addition of 'active travel' to the COP26 Declaration on Accelerating the Transition to 100% Zero Emission.
