2025. The year started with the ‘survive ’til…’ mantra ringing in the ears of our industry. As a media outlet, BikeBiz made clear decisions about the content we would focus on. Positive news. We wanted to showcase businesses doing good business. Brands introducing innovation. People driving positive change.
This wasn’t about ignoring the harsh realities of our industry and the wider economic and political upheaval. It was (and continues to be) about showing what can be done, even in the most challenging of situations.
Unsurprisingly, we copped some flak for this, with some comments on social media suggesting we didn’t reflect the reality many experienced. Our response was simple. There is a raft of coverage on the ‘negative news of the day’. If we – BikeBiz- can add no unique insight or value, we aren’t interested in reporting on the news others are reporting.
It’s not that we’re short of opinion or unwilling to take on challenging topics; rather, that showcasing the positive seems like something worthy of time and energy. Inspiration for a brighter future. For some, that was clearly far too much. For us, it was just enough. We can’t be all things to all people. To try that is to fail miserably for yourself and everyone else.
For ourselves, as a media business, this – positive energy – was the driver for a raft of new ideas and changes made to better serve readers and the wider industry.
Editor Lauren, the leader of the good ship BikeBiz, has been a catalyst for change, and an impact hire in the best way possible. Much of the energy, the ideas, and the execution have happened as a result of her vision and previous experience. Credit where credit is due (and I’m writing this because Lauren is far too humble to say it about herself).
2025 BikeBiz issues
In no particular order, 2025 has seen:
• Two audience surveys across the year.
• A major magazine design refresh – with ongoing tweaks now that the majority of design work is done.
• A web content review – leading to a raft of web-first/web-exclusive content.
• The beginnings of an intentional and concerted effort to make women and People of Colour visible in the content we share and the content we create.
• An increasingly European and Global view – giving our UK readers a clearer big picture, whilst retaining the UK viewpoint and focus.
• A shift in how we do what we do, with the “Sharing our platform/industry voices in focus” approach to the fore. Guest columns and features exemplify this most clearly.
• Newsletter reduced following survey feedback.
• WhatsApp community launched – which quickly gained members from North and South America, Asia, and Europe, as well as the UK.
• Social media presence amplified – largely as a result of ‘new to us’ formats in which BikeBiz is creating content.
• First video content from Eurobike (shared on BikeBiz socials and hosted on our new YouTube Channel).
• First video content from brand site visits.
• Mini podcast introduced, available as audio and video (hosted on Soundcloud and YouTube).
• LinkedIn polls introduced.
• BikeBiz Awards evolution – with new categories and new sponsors. (2025 saw a record attendance, with a 60-person attendance increase over 2024)
• A rumour …. what this space ….. that 2026 will see BikeBiz launch a podcast, hosted by a well-known industry face.
So as 2025 draws to a close, we look back with a mixture of pride and frustration. ‘Frustration. Why? I thought you said you’re all about the positive?’ Well, we’re a 2.5-person team, 1 full-time editor, 1 part-time staff writer, 1 full-time salesperson – and this has meant, at times, we have found our limits. It is, undeniably, a frustrating thing to admit. That hasn’t stopped us from looking for new ways to better serve you, our readers, and engage the wider industry.
The BikeBiz Team. Photo: Mark McNeil
Good news for you – our appetite to improve, to explore new opportunities, is strong. 2026 will arrive with a bang. And on that note, here’s to 2025: A year of firsts, of new contributors, of stronger connections with the wider, global industry.
