In 2023, the bicycle industry sold more e-bikes than classic bicycles for the first time. However, the generally dismal consumer mood did not leave the two-wheeler industry unscathed.
For the first time, Germans have bought more e-bikes than classic bikes. As the Two-Wheeler Industry Association (ZIV) announced today, 53 percent of bicycle buyers chose a bike with an electric motor last year. This means that 2.1 million e-bikes and 1.8 million classic bicycles were sold. In 2022, the motorized share was still 48 percent.
Rising prices and the trend towards second bikes
Meanwhile, the e-bike industry benefited from rising prices in 2023: e-bikes were sold for an average of 2,950 euros, after 2,800 euros in the previous year. Classic bikes achieved a gross average price of 470 euros (2022: 500 euros).
In addition to buying new ones, the trend is also increasingly towards purchasing second or third wheels – for example for leisure, sports or transport. According to ZIV, market saturation is therefore still not foreseeable.
Bicycle leasing via employers has also developed into an important market driver. Experts estimate that today around one in four bikes comes to customers through leasing. Stationary specialist retailers in particular benefit greatly from this development.
Cycling has “a great importance”
“Overall, the market data shows very clearly that people in Germany attach great importance to cycling in everyday life and in their leisure time and the associated high-quality products,” said ZIV managing director Burkhard Stork.
The bicycle market decoupled from the general negative consumer climate in 2023. Bicycles and especially e-bikes of very good quality and with innovative technology would be valued by consumers – as would the advice and service from qualified specialist dealers and their workshops.
Global pioneering role
Total production fell from 2.6 to 2.3 million units last year. Of these, 1.6 million e-bikes were manufactured, after 1.7 million in 2022. With the outbreak of the corona pandemic, the bicycle market experienced a real boom. But due to increased capacities, inventories rose rapidly in 2022, which reduced production.
“With regard to the e-bike as a market and innovation driver, companies in the German bicycle industry are now taking on a pioneering role worldwide,” says Stork. “Engineered in Germany” and “Made in Europe” are “the guarantees of engineering, design, quality, sustainability and value retention” for e-bikes.