Eurobike Director: “There’s a huge opportunity for the trade to become a key player in the mobility market”

For 2019 Eurobike is shaping up to take on new relevance to a much-wider pool of people across the mobility market and already diverse cycling spectrum. Here Show Director Stefan Reisinger discusses the interests of an expected 40,000 visitors.

Eurobike in numbers

Hall space: More than 100,000 square meters across 12 halls are filled. This comes in addition to the Open Air Grounds East and West, as well as the Demo Area.
Exhibitors: Over 1,400 coming from 60 countries.
Registrations: More than 40,000 industry visitors are expected, as well as 20.000 bike fans attending Eurobike’s Festival Day
Press attending: 1,500 media representatives
Test tracks: Test loops on-site and right next to fairground.

What requests has the industry had for organisers and how have you changed the show to accommodate these?

Stefan Reisinger: “With the ever-expanding product diversification the individual expectations are changing. The biggest conceptual change in 2019 is certainly the return to the late summer date and the added appeal to all bike fans with the Eurobike Festival Day.”

There seems to be a greater presence of ‘mobility’ as opposed to pure play cycling brands. What does this signify for the show and the direction of the global business?

Stefan Reisinger: “In a way, shows always reflect the business cycle of the respective industry. The urban mobility market has grown disproportionately and it seems that this segment outperforms the sports cycling trade at the moment in regards to product innovations, trends and novelties.

“Anyway, a big portion of (E)Mountain bike and road bicycle are used to commute, for leisure and for transportation. There is a huge opportunity for the bike biz to become a relevant player in fast changing mobility market (for which Eurobike recently held its own press camp). This will be evident and visible in the exhibition halls.

“In essence, Eurobike has targeted everyone working full time in the bicycle and mobility industry; both on brands and trade side. In the past we were much more focused on bike brands and bike dealers. Going forwards our attendance will be much more diverse with new players and services entering the sector and expected be around the show.” 

We are seeing a global economic downturn and particularly tough times for the bike trade leading into the show. Is this likely to affect who can be at the show?

Stefan Reisinger: “The current challenges are huge, as well as the speed of change. That counts for all stakeholders. It is all the more important that everyone learns how best to deal with these changes.

“Sales figures in the Germany speaking countries are quiet good in general, but the global sector will see further consolidation on the brand and retail side. With automotive and digital services becoming more relevant for the bike trade, we expect a broader range of attendance for 2019.

“We are convinced that it is important for the bicycle industry to speak and act globally with a strong voice. This requires a common and neutral platform that is fun and allows personal networking with known and new people.”

The trade show calendar too has been strained with Interbike’s closing, among others. But the Eurobike schedule is broadening in Asia – what’s new here? Might we ever see Eurobike in the U.S.?

Stefan Reisinger: “The ASEAN region is a promising future market as the number of production sites are continually expanding. In addition to the growing production of bicycles and components in the South-East Asian region, incomes and the standard of living are increasing, as is the demand for high-quality bikes. With our upcoming ASEANBIKE we see potential for the future, both at sourcing and OEM levels, and as a future sales market for western brands.

“Although we always strive to meet the needs of the global cycling industry as service leaders, a Eurobike engagement in the US is currently not on our agenda. Anyway we follow the market development over there closely.” 

From which segment of the business have you seen the greatest rise in interest from exhibitors and visitors? 

Stefan Reisinger: “We see the biggest demand and momentum growth in the fields of (E-)/Micro and urban mobility, sharing economy, sourcing and digitization.” 

What key events on and off the stage feature at this year’s show?

Stefan Reisinger: “Highlights include the premiere of the Bike Biz Revolution conference the day before the show start, many start-up impulses on the first day and plenty of novelty tests in the demo area.” 

What options have people for beating the traffic this year?

Stefan Reisinger: “It certainly helps to target the time of arrival a little earlier than at the beginning of the fair at 9 o’clock. We also offer good breakfast options on the fairgrounds, so there’s no need to stop on the way.

“We also recommend that you always have the Google arrival status in the picture and follow the signs as well as the information provided by our traffic controllers.

“The very best option, and befitting, is arrival by bike.”

For anyone with free time during or after the show, what would you recommend visitors check out this year?

Stefan Reisinger: “Anyone who has time should definitely get on the bike and explore the region. The surrounding ambience is an essential element of the Eurobike success. In an ideal world, get a bike and go for a tour to one of the small villages at the lake, or a loop in the stunning back country of Friedrichshafen.”

For further information, including ticketing, please visit eurobike.com.