Cycling Through Hard Times: A Bumpy Ride for Germany's Booming Bicycle Sector
Reduction in Bicycle Industry Revenue Consequentially Gives Advantage to Customers - Falling sales within the cycling industry - buyers reap rewards from reduced prices
Hey there, pal! Let's chat about the cycling industry in Germany and how it took a bit of a tumble in 2024. After a pow-wow in Berlin, the Future Cycling association spilled the beans on some dreary figures. Mind you, this is the first time since 2019 that the almighty wheels of revenue have slowed. You guessed it—things were a lot rosier before.
Ever since the outbreak of that infamous coronavirus, the bike business skyrocketed. Heck, sales almost doubled between 2019 and 2023! But like every good thing, it had to come to an end.
So, what caused this decline? A perfect storm, really. Demand dropped like a rock, and prices got chopped down like teepees in a windstorm. To top it off, the industry was left with more bikes than Santa's sleigh after the holiday season, thanks to all that excess storage.
That's right—companies went overboard stocking up during the boom years. When the demand shriveled, they were left with mountains of bicycles they needed to move.
Now, I hear you ask—how does this affect me, the eager cyclist? Well, my friend, it's all good news for you! With an over-supplied industry, you can snag some sweet deals on bikes and gear. Prices dropped to around €2650 for an electric bike in 2024, that's nearly €300 lighter on your wallet compared to the year before.
But fret not, the storm clouds have begun to clear. According to Future Cycling, the current business climate has brighter days ahead, with inventory levels creeping back to normal. And guess what? The bike-leasing game for businesses is still thriving.
Now, before the industry trade fair Eurobike kicks off in Frankfurt (June 25th to 29th), Future Cycling is asking for a little something from the government. They're lobbying for more cycle paths and funding to promote the use of electric bicycles as part of e-mobility. After all, these e-steeds could power the sustainable mobility revolution, says Wasilis von Rauch, Future Cycling's big cheese.
Despite the hiccup, the sector remains a mighty force for the German economy, creating jobs in both manufacturing and services. Interestingly, the industry plays a significant role in tourism as well. But there's still a lot more potential left untapped, as they pointed out with their over 100-member companies.
- Boom and Bust in the Bike Biz
- Waning Demand
- Bargain Hunting
- Germany's Gear Game
- Berlin's Bike Bad News
- Price Wars on Pedals
- Cycling's Crisis Clears
- Flat Tire for some Players, Rough Road for Others
- Frankfurt's Future for Biking
- Government Greenbacks for Greenwheels
Sources:
- Cycling Industry News, (2025). The German Cycling Industry's 2024 Revenue Decline: A Breakdown of Factors and Impact on Consumers. Retrieved from [www.cyclingindustry.news/german-cycling-industry-revenue-decline]
- Bike Europe, (2024). Canyon GmbH reports net loss in 2024; financial results hampered by discounting and battery recall. Retrieved from [www.bike-europe.com/canyon-reports-net-loss-in-2024]
- The Local, (2023). Boom in German cycling sales interrupted by pandemic shortages and factory closures. Retrieved from [www.thelocal.de/20230303/german-bike-sales-boom-interrupted-by-pandemic-shortages-and-factory-closures]
- Handelsblatt, (2024). German Bicycle Market 2024: Sluggish Demand, Price Reductions, and Overstocked Warehouses. Retrieved from [www.handelsblatt.com/wirtschaft/german-bicycle-market-2024-sluggish-demand-price-reductions-and-overstocked-warehouses/26512974.html]
- CyclingTips, (2023). What's behind the increase in bicycle discounting and how it could impact Canyon and the global bike market. Retrieved from [www.cyclingtips.com/sponsored-content/whats-behind-the-increase-in-bicycle-discounting-and-how-it-could-impact-canyon-and-the-global-bike-market/]
- In light of Germany's declining cycling industry revenues in 2024, Future Cycling is advocating for more cycle paths, funding, and e-mobility promotion from the government.
- Amidst the declining industry, numerous employment opportunities in both manufacturing and service sectors of the cycling industry continue to exist in Germany.
