In its 28th edition, taking place this year from 4-7 September, Eurobike has reported that more than 1,400 exhibitors will be showing their new products and innovations for the coming season. ‘Some 150 new exhibitors testify to the current atmosphere of change in the bicycle and mobility market.’
The Eurobike team adds that the cycle market is currently undergoing what is probably the greatest transition since the invention of rubber tyres. In key European cycle markets, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, ‘the e-bike boom is celebrating an unfettered upswing.’
At the same time, Eurobike notes that the bicycle with the support of an electric motor is also increasingly gaining momentum in markets such as France, Italy, Scandinavia and the UK. For many years, these countries have also been experiencing a simultaneous change in how the bicycle is perceived as a means of transport. This is being accompanied by a significant increase in new services being offered, such as bike sharing and bike leasing.
“The current changes in the cycle market are reflected at Eurobike,” said Stefan Reisinger, Head of Eurobike at Messe Friedrichshafen.
“E-mobility, digitalization, system integration – yet also the relocation of production are dominant topics in the global bike business. New players from all over the world are enriching the cycle industry with product innovations, solutions and alternative approaches to future mobility requirements.”
He continued, “The future is beginning here and now – Eurobike is showing what will come tomorrow and delivering new stimuli while giving cause for thought to retailers, industry and all the other market participants. In the mixture of top brands, who have been attending for many years, coupled with newcomers, trendsetters and innovators, the composition of Eurobike this year with more than 1,400 participants has again achieved a supreme level.”
One of the industry pioneers in matters of leasing and sharing is the retailers’ association ZEG (Stand B1-200), which for the first time will not only be presenting all of its bike brands in Friedrichshafen this year, but also the new concept of ‘Sharea’.
The terms ‘share’ and ‘area’ that make up the name describe a concept with which operators of large residential estates will be able to offer their tenants an e-mobility service integrated into the area where they live. Depending on the demand, tenants will, for example, find high-quality e-bikes and cargo bikes for rental in a room digitally secured by an app. Collaboration with local certified ZEG retailers and a digital service management will ‘guarantee a high level of quality and availability for this service.’
On its Eurobike premiere, Wintersteiger (Stand B4-314) will be addressing the issue of everyday mobility with the bicycle. The engineering firm from Upper Austria, better known from the winter sports segment as a market leader for ski service and rental systems, will be exhibiting washing systems for bikes and condensation drying lockers. Anyone asking what the latter has to do with cycle mobility might wish to consider bike commuters who will have at their workplace an energy-efficient means of drying their sweaty or wet cycling apparel and then disinfecting it using an ozone lamp.
There are a number of other new players among the ranks of Eurobike exhibitors. The young cycle manufacturer Pexco (Stand B2-400) will be celebrating its trade fair premiere at Lake Constance in southern Germany. Behind the newcomer from Schweinfurt, are a number of thoroughly familiar names with the entrepreneurial families of Puello and Pierer as well as the traditional Swedish brand of Husqvarna.
Anthony Sinyard has another well-known name within the industry and he will be exhibiting on the European trade fair stage for the very first time with Supacaz (Stand B3-401), his accessories supplier founded in 2013. The young entrepreneur from California has a talent for design, for products such as handlebar tape, grips and bikewear – which is not surprising when you consider that his father is Mike Sinyard, founder and owner of Specialized.
The Croatian Eurobike newcomer Greyp (Stand A1-502) similarly has a disposition for e-bikes: founder and frontman of the company is Mate Rimac, owner of the sports car producer that bears his name. Its innovative strength recently induced Porsche to take out a 10% stake in the Croatian company. Eurobike adds that the bikes by Greyp also reveal a high level of know-how in matters of e-performance.
Admittedly not a newcomer but a very welcome returnee after a long absence at Eurobike is the Italian bike producer Bianchi. Part of the Cycleurope Group, it will for the first time be occupying a stand in Hall B2 (Stand 500) and bringing back its signature brand in Celeste green.
The new Eurobike exhibitors also mean an increase in the proportion of overseas participants involved in the trade fair. Only about one third of the newcomers among the exhibitors will be coming from Germany. The largest contingent among the foreign customers exhibiting at Eurobike for the first time comprises exhibitors from France with a figure of 7%, followed by the USA (6%), China (5%) and the Netherlands (4%).
As a leading global trade fair, Eurobike is directed towards a specialist trade audience on the three working days from 4-6 September and to all bike fans with the Eurobike Festival Day on Saturday, 7 September 2019.
