Growth in the German bike market in 2023

Against a backdrop of challenging economic conditions, Germany's bicycle industry demonstrated resilience and growth in 2023, echoing the surge in popularity seen during 2020's biking boom. Notably, electric bicycles (e-bikes) have surged ahead, becoming the top-selling category over traditional bikes for the first time.

The Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV) reported a milestone achievement for the e-bike sector, with sales topping those of conventional bicycles in 2023. E-bikes claimed a majority market share of 53%, with 2.1 million units sold, surpassing the 1.9 million mechanical bikes sold during the same period. This shift signifies a dramatic increase from just a decade ago when e-bikes represented a mere fraction of the market.

Burkhard Stork, ZIV's managing director, highlighted the German bicycle industry's global leadership, particularly in the e-bike segment. "Engineered in Germany" and "Made in Europe" have become hallmarks of excellence in engineering, design, quality, sustainability, and value retention within the e-bike domain.

Despite a general downturn in sales compared to previous years, the industry remains optimistic, with e-bikes playing a crucial role in mitigating a more pronounced sales decline. While total bike sales dipped to 4.0 million in 2023 from a peak of 5 million in 2020, the sector's economic value has remained robust, generating €7.06 billion in revenue in 2023. This resilience is partly due to the rising popularity of e-cargo bikes, which have pushed average e-bike prices higher.

Specialized bicycle retailers continue to dominate the market, holding a 77% share, with an increasing trend towards leasing bicycles through employer schemes. The "cycle to work" programs are estimated to account for one in four bike sales, underlining the positive business outlook for specialist retailers.

Despite a slight reduction in domestic production from 2.6 million units in 2022 to 2.3 million units in 2023, the inclusion of overseas production for German brands brings the total to 3 million German bikes produced in 2023. This indicates a sustained interest in cycling for both daily commutes and leisure, marking the bicycle market as resilient amidst a generally negative consumer climate.

The ongoing rise in mobility costs, coupled with growing environmental and health consciousness, is expected to further fuel the popularity of bicycles and e-bikes. Stork emphasizes the importance of political recognition and support for cycling's potential to continue fostering this positive trend in the bicycle industry.