Polish Market Shifts from MTB to Urban Cycling

The market for a bicycle in many cities of Poland has continued to witness a massive increase in an approximate expansion of over 10% in this year alone. Poland is Central Europe's second largest market for Bicycles and its components and accessories, in 2016, the total market value of new bicycles was estimated at PLN 1.1 billion (€265 million). In a recent survey conducted by Polish Cycle Association (PSR, Polskie Stowarzyszenie Rowerowe) has also shown that almost 60% of the bicycle manufacturers, shop managers, and importers have reported an increase in sales.

Despite the limited cycling infrastructure in Poland compared to Germany, the Netherlands or Denmark, it has become obvious when strolling the street of Polish cities of how Cycling is enjoying increasing popularity. It is also believed that one of the main reasons for this development in bicycles usage is because it is time-saving.

Are Internet sales declining

Before now, the internet used to be the third largest reseller of bicycles in Poland, but in recent times, its market share has drastically dropped. In 2013 and 2014, more than 10% of bicycles in Poland were sold over the internet. However, between 2015 and 2016, the volume dropped to about 6.5% and 2.5 respectively as the consumers prefer buying from shops where they can physically touch the bike. In 2016, there was also a shift in the bicycle market as most consumers resorted to purchasing more of urban bicycles than MTB.
No doubt, the Polish men spend more money on bicycles than women as they spend an average of PLN 1,689 (€402) against the women who spend only an average PLN 1,137 (€270). And in recent time, the average retail price of the bicycle in Poland has also decreased from about €380 to €34. Polish men mostly bought mtbs, and the women preferred the city bikes, but as it is today, younger men are now buying more of the city bikes than MTBs. Older people are also seen to buy e-bikes the more and sometimes urban bikes.

Export and import

Exports and imports of bicycles have continued to remain stable remain stable as Polish producers mainly export their products to Germany. In 2013 the value of exports to this Germany reached PLN 168 mln accounting for about 60% of total export of bicycles. Though the Poland export value to Germany reduced in the first three quarters of 2016, Germany still strongly represents about 65% of Poland's export value. Polish bicycle producers in recent time have also continually looked for clients on Asian markets.

After Germany, France is the second biggest destination for Polish bicycles with a market share of 26.4% of export value. The UK and Lithuania have also emerged as one of the biggest growth markets for Polish bikes, and both countries assisted in compensating for Poland's losses on the Austrian and Russian market.
On the import level, Taiwan remains the largest exporter of bikes and bicycle parts to Poland followed by Portugal are the second-biggest exporter.

Local e-bike production

In recent years Poland has been witnessing a bicycle boom and has also remained one of the largest and important bicycle manufacturing countries in Europe for many years, and its market share had increased from 8% in 2014 to 9% in 2015.
However, there was a slight drop in production in 2016 compared to 2015, though this was still bigger than the production in 2014.  According to the Polish National Agency, about GUS 1,006,600 were made in 2016 which was a decline of about 2.1% when compared with 2015. In 2015 the Polish industry recorded an output of 1,034,900 which was an improvement on the production recorded in 2014 of about 991,100 units.