Light at the end of the tunnel for the bicycle industry, claims the European Bicycle Industry Group

The bicycle industry has overcome the worst of the recent sales slump, an industry insider predicts ahead of next week’s Eurobike trade show in Frankfurt, Germany.

A report published ahead of the show by CONEBI, the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry, says the surplus problems “may be resolved” next year.

However, the report reveals that cycling employment fell by 5.5% across Europe.

CONEBI is an umbrella organization representing national bicycle industry associations across Europe.

The agency’s report said the post-pandemic downturn experienced by the cycling market peaked in 2023 and provided a “reset” moment for the global industry.

EU policies to promote cycling will be essential to boost the cycling industry, said the report which said the sector has continued to grow in the long term over the past decade, especially with the increase in sales of e-bikes.

“Effective policies at European level, in the context of the European Green Deal and a solid EU Industrial Strategy – such as the recent European Declaration on Cycling and the Mobility Industries Transition Path report – are essential to boost both cycling and and the cycling industry across Europe,” said CONEBI President Massimo Panzeri.

In 2023, total bicycle sales in Europe fell from 14.7 million to 11.7 million. Even e-bike sales fell, though less dramatically, down 400,000 to 5.1 million.

CONEBI exhibition highlights that investment in production capacity continued with new factories and warehouses being built in many EU countries. These investments totaled over $2 billion, about the same as in 2022, demonstrating “continued confidence and commitment to growth”, the report states.