Bicycle sales rise in Germany & e-Bikes now make up 26% of imports
The German bicycle industry is in rude health according to the latest stats from association Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), released to coincide with Friedrichshafen-set Eurobike.
Contrasting with the UK import data for H1 2019, which was at its lowest point for over a decade, Germany’s bicycle imports rose 6.1%, with e-bikes making up 26% of imports.
Production was up too. 1.47 million ‘vehicles’ were manufactured in the first six months of 2019, up 4.6%.
The bicycle industry association concluded that 2.93 million bicycles and e-bikes were sold in H1 2019, an increase of 3.2%.
Exports of bicycles and e-bikes grew substantially, up 14.1%. E-Bikes accounted for 36% of exports.
ZIV said that the non-electric bicycle market stabilised while e-Bikes continued their growth trajectory. It estimates some 920,000 e-Bikes were sold through retailers in H1 2019. ZIV surmises that more than 1.1 million ‘vehicles’ would be sold in 2019 as a whole, which would keep the pedal assist sector in double-digit growth (12%).
Siegfried Neuberger, ZIV MD, said: “The German bicycle industry can look back on a very good first half-year again this year. The products of the German and international bicycle industry are once again inspiring consumers. Positive development in the industry is supported by services such as leasing of company bikes, digital offers, and innovative business concepts relating to all aspects of cycling. We are able to stride into the future with confidence and look forward to future bicycle and ebike trends.”
The bicycle industry association (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband e.V.) is the national advocacy organisation and service provider of the German and international bicycle industry. Its members include manufacturers and importers of bicycles, e-bikes, bicycle components and accessories.
