BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
According to a statement released by the organisers of the annual Eurobike cycling convention, digitalisation, connectivity, urbanisation, environmentalism, health and mobility will be the societal megatrends of the future and their influence on the bike industry will be correspondingly large.
“Twenty years ago at Eurobike you could see where the development of the mountain bike was heading; in the last decade, you could see the potential that the electrified bicycle held. Eurobike 2017 is where the next phase of the highly dynamic global bicycle market will be launched,” says Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen.
Eurobike head Stefan Reisinger added: “Long-established manufacturers are losing relevance; at the same time new players are forcing their way into the market, a market whose dynamism is increasingly being unleashed around products and services related to e-mobility.
“New and strong players are getting into the game, especially in the areas of drive systems, energy supplies and connectivity. At the same time, digitalization is bringing about changes in consumer behaviour with virtually unlimited information possibilities and 24/7 availability. Traditional bicycles are losing market share whether we like it or not and the future belongs – above all – to e-bikes.
“This shift away from pure racing and competition bikes toward e-performance and mobility bikes offers all market factors – no matter whether they are OEM or component manufacturers, bicycle brands, importers or speciality retailers – great opportunities as well as risk.”
Eurobike 2017 is open from August 30th to September 2nd from 9am to 6pm. On the Business Days, from Wednesday to Friday, Eurobike is only open to industry visitors and accredited journalists.
