‘Used approved’ bike sales; a German marketplace view

In this guest feature we hear from Wasilis von Rauch, CEO of German cycling association Zukunft Fahrrad e.V., exploring how the European marketplace sees a growing ‘used approved’ bike sales opportunity.

Asked about making eBikes more accessible and impactful, looking at the marketplace, the target audience, and established, proven, examples the cycling industry can utilise, Wasilis has the follow to share:

With ‘refurbished bikes’ currently gaining increasing amounts of major media outlet coverage, I can provide some insights regarding “leisure and transport riders”.

It’s true: The second-hand market is gaining real momentum, and that’s a good thing. In this way, eBikes will be significantly more affordable for a much wider group of people, and with this also become more sustainable in their use.

For some first owners, with bikes that have travelled just a few hundred, or a few thousand kilometres, bikes come to be ‘stored’, left long term unused. Given the low mileage, which is really not much for a high-quality Fahrrad (regular bike) or Pedelec (eBike 25kph) the chance to reactivate the bike via a second owner, represents a great opportunity for all parties.

In the German market we have two top bike sales players from this growing segment already on board in the form of bravobike GmbH and Rebike Mobility.

These businesses work a model which ensures the second owner receive their eBike with any replacement parts already fitted, ensuring wear and tear is not a factor, and also provide the peace of mind of a warranty as well. In this way, customers can save a lot of money, and have the confidence of a secure deal.

I’m sure this ‘used approved’ bike sales market sector will continue to grow, with much more to come – if you look at the car sector, you can see why: The second-hand market generates just as much turnover as the market for new vehicles.

My tip for those looking to buy a ‘used approved’ eBike? Don’t make any compromises! Your bike must fit: frame height, bike type, drive, accessories, etc. Choose carefully, then test it in practice and, if necessary, send the bike back. Retailers in this emerging ‘refurbished’ or ‘used approved’ space will do well to understand this is a core requirement of their business; enabling customers, and supporting them post purchase.

About Zukunft Fahrrad

The association represents a dynamic, innovative group of 74 companies including, amongst others, bike manufacturers Urban Arrow, Swapfiets, Stromer, Riese&Muller and Canyon, also with members  from other areas of the bicycle industry: service providers, dealers, digital start-ups and suppliers with a shared focus and a common goal:  the sustainable mobility revolution.

The association is convinced that the bicycle is a central element for sustainable mobility in the 21st century, seeing this mobility transformation as critical to securing existing jobs, and, in the long term, developing new, innovative, market areas.

To that end, in order to maintain and accelerate the international uptake for new electric mobility, the right political course must be set. Here the association brings its collective market expertise into the political decision-making processes, through its collective association activities.

Zukunft Fahrrad champions the bicycle in all its variations – from folding bikes to covered e-cargo bikes – aiming to ensure that sustainably strengthened.

As a collective group of members, the association sees itself as responsible, hence placing a high demand on members own products and services in terms of quality and sustainability.

NB: Browser based translation will enable English speaking readers to explore the German language based Zukunft Fahrrad website.

French ‘used approved’ eBike market insight

Also active in the ‘used approved’ eBike marketplace is Paris, France based start-up, Upway. The Business, founded in 2021 by Toussaint Wattinne and Stéphane Ficaja, both former senior executives at Uber, attracted £4.26mn in funding from Sequoia and Global Founders Capital during November of 2021, followed by Series A funding to the value of £20mn, led by investors Exor Seeds and Sequoia Capital.

Of the investors in Upway, it should be pointed out that Sequoia Capital is a serial cycling industry investor, forming part of a $110 million series F round of funding which Strava drew in November of 2020.

The business has begun to expand beyond its French home market, with localised websites serving Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.