European Bicycle Industry Faces Extended Market Downturn

Following a pandemic-driven sales boom, the bicycle sector struggles with excess inventory and declining sales, while consumers benefit from significant discounts.

The European bicycle market has not recovered from the post-pandemic sales decline, with projections indicating continued low sales until at least 2026.
Manufacturers are dealing with large inventories of assembled bicycles and costly components, leading to sustained high discounts for consumers.
Despite the boom in E-Bike sales and rising average prices, total industry revenue is expected to remain below the 2021 peak of 21.2 billion euros.
Retailers face financial strain due to ongoing discounting, with some reporting that current margins make it risky to restock inventory.
The trend towards CO2-free mobility remains strong, with E-Bikes making up over half of bicycle sales in Germany, though their average prices may decrease with simpler technology.