German cycling industry representatives, ZIV and the German trade association, Zukunft Fahrrad, have announced that their talks with the Eurobike operators regarding the future direction of the trade fair have failed. Both associations say they will end their cooperation and will not take part in the Eurobike in 2026.

Following lengthy discussions with the Eurobike operators, we have decided to end our cooperation. We could not see that both operators were equally committed to supporting the measures that would be necessary to make the trade fair fit for the future of the bicycle industry – Bernhard Lange, ZIV Presidium member and Managing Partner at Paul Lange GmbH & Co. KG

The joint statement says the decision was preceded by an intensive feedback process between the associations and their members immediately after this year’s trade fair. The outcome was a 10-point plan for Eurobike 2026, which served as the basis for discussions with the trade fair companies.

The members of Zukunft Fahrrad and the ZIV have formulated clear ideas on the necessary structural and content-related adjustments. Unfortunately, we do not see any realistic chance of achieving these – Ulrich Prediger, CEO of Zukunft Fahrrad and founder of JobRad.

“The industry expects fundamental changes as a prerequisite and clear signal for a successful future for the Eurobike – we do not see this in the outcome,” added Claus Fleischer, ZIV board member and CEO of Bosch eBike Systems.

“We did not take this joint decision lightly and very much regret that it is necessary. It is important that we now create clarity for all sides,” emphasises Dirk Zedler, Zukunft Fahrrad board member and Founder and Managing Director of the Zedler Group.

The ZIV and its subsidiary ZR Zweirad-Gesellschaft mbH have terminated their cooperation agreements with fairnamic GmbH. In parallel, Zukunft Fahrrad sought to terminate its contract.

Both associations say they are now looking to the future with determination. “The demand among our members for a strong joint platform remains high. We are therefore continuing to exchange closely with our companies and partner associations,” says Wasilis von Rauch, Managing Director of Zukunft Fahrrad.

We will move forward with the process very quickly. The issue of an industry platform needs to be resolved in a forward-looking manner, as we all recognise the enormous political and economic challenges facing our industry – ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork