E-bikes, racing bikes and junior MTB in the fast lane
(SFZ) More electric bikes, junior mountis and racing bikes, fewer mountain and city bikes: in 2011 a total of 351`800 new bicycles were sold in Switzerland, slightly more than in the previous year. The strong Swiss franc and mixed cycling summer weather stood in the way of an even better result.
Adult mountain bikes were still the quota runners in the bike hit parade with a market share of 35%, but with 125`000 units sold they were 8.3% below the previous year's result. Racing bikes got off to a better start, with 17`000 of them rolling down the streets, almost 10% more than in 2010. However, the absolute high-flyers in the sports bike segment were junior mountain and freestyle bikes, of which over 42`000 were sold thanks to a wider range of models.
Citybike beset by electric bike
The trend away from city bikes towards e-bikes continues. Whereas 116`000 city bikes - including junior city bikes, tandems, folding bikes etc. - were sold in 2010, this figure will be down to 102`000 in 2011, a decline of 12%. As a result, the share of city bikes powered purely by muscle power in the total new bike cake fell to less than a third. This decline in demand for normal city bikes is put into perspective by the increase in new sales of electric bikes by a whopping 10`500 units or 26% to almost 50,000 units. The majority of these electric bicycles are also used in the city and agglomeration sector, so that we can speak of a second city bike segment "electric". Due to the new sales record of e-bikes, the total stock of this model segment grew to over 150`000 units. This means that 5.4% of the approximately 2.8 million bicycles circulating on Swiss roads are e-bikes (total stock including basement and garage bikes approx. 4 million).
Braking effect of foreign bicycle purchases
Industry insiders assume that a few percent of the 351,800 bicycle purchases made in Switzerland were made via bicycle shopping tourism in neighbouring countries. If these purchases had taken place in Switzerland, the sales balance would have been even better. The weather showed the positive and the negative side: After an extremely beautiful and warm spring, a cold July and a bumpy August put an end to the desire to cycle. The number of new bicycles sold is very high and stable. Electric bicycles have established themselves as an important source of turnover in the sector, and mountain bikes are more popular than ever with young people. Adults, however, are experiencing a slight decline, but still at a high level. The development of the Swiss franc, the general economic situation and, last but not least, cyclist-friendly or inclement weather will again influence bicycle sales this year. Depending on the tailwind or headwind, city/ mountain bikes and co. will be riding in the successful or braking lane.
March 13th, 2009