E-bike sales again increase significantly
(SFZ) In 2016, 324,581 new bicycles were sold in Switzerland. Almost every fourth of these is an e-bike. A total of 75,665 bicycles with electric motors found their buyers, an increase of 14% compared to 2015. Normal mountain bikes lost ground slightly, but were able to make massive gains - albeit in the niche segment - with special bikes such as cargo bikes, tandems, etc.
The E-bike has long since established itself as a means of mass transport in the traffic jungle and leisure sector. Over 400,000 e-bikes are in use on Swiss roads, and there is no end in sight to the boom. Unlike the expensive e-car, the ratio of range, benefits and costs is right for e-bikes. Buyers appreciate the quiet, low-maintenance and reliable e-drive. In one to two years, the e-Citybike should overtake the normal city bike in the buyers' favour. The e-mountain bikes are also climbing steep terrain in terms of sales. 20,761 units were sold in 2016, 36% more than in the previous year. Interesting: 78 % of e-bike buyers chose a 25 km/h bike, 22 % chose the faster 45 km/h version. City segment also well on trackThe range of normal, motorless leisure and everyday bikes with full equipment - city bikes, junior bikes and special bikes, all with lights, luggage rack, mudguards etc. - increased by 5,859 to a total of 91,788 units. Especially the junior bikes and special bikes (cargo bikes, folding bikes etc.) found more buyers. Sport segment: Mountain bikes with 27.5 inch wheels most popularAmong the mountain bikes, 54,202 bikers chose the medium size of the three wheel sizes 26 inch, 27.5 inch and 29 inch. 30'492 chose the 29 inch version and only 17'957 chose the small 26 inch wheels. A total of 102,651 mountain bikes (excluding emounts) were sold, 8.5 % less than in 2015. 15,512 units were sold, putting the road racing bike in the shadow of last year's sales success (15,816 units). An interesting trend: many hobby mountain bikers not only climb the Mounti for training rides, but also get on their road bikes - and vice versa.
Once again e-bikes are the high flyers in the bicycle business. Increasing traffic density in cities and conurbations is likely to bring growth rates to this two-wheel segment in the future. The city bike is bravely holding its course and appeals above all to buyers from regions with little or no gradients. The normal, motorless mountain bike is still selling well, but is increasingly being squeezed by the electric mountain bike. Weather and purchasing power will continue to decide in 2017 where the bike tour will go in the future. The industry is optimistic.
March 4th, 2017