Entering the final quarter of 2026, SHIFT Active Media's latest analysis of consumer search behaviour reveals clear signals of stabilisation and indeed growth across key cycling markets, even as specific categories face ongoing headwinds.

More companies are reporting higher turnover, expectations for the rest of the year are favourable and stock levels are moving closer to balance. These are among the conclusions for the Spanish bicycle market in the first half of 2026. Data from the AMBE Barometer, a survey among Spanish manufacturers, distributors, retailers and workshops, were presented during Sea Otter Europe in Girona.

In response to rising raw material, energy, and logistics costs, the industry's largest component supplier, Shimano, announced a temporary 3% surcharge on all orders with a delivery date between 1 August and 30 November 2026. How does the industry absorb these costs while consumer prices are already under pressure? Are there still enough options for alternative sourcing, component specifications, and efficiency improvements, or will it just kill margins, as Giant Bicycles announced in their half-year results?

The German bicycle market rose 10% year on year between January and June, while e-bike sales increased slightly by 2%. Despite this positive market development, the German industry association ZIV is careful in its reporting and calls it only a 'slow recovery'.

Revenue amongst Dutch bicycle retailers increased sharply in every month of the second quarter of this year, rising by an average of 13.3%. In the first quarter, revenue growth compared with the previous year was just 1.6%. The second quarter of 2026 was therefore exceptionally strong, according to figures from the H&L Benchmark Group. In the first six months of 2026, revenue increased by a total of 8.6% compared with the same period last year.

For a while the folding bike category seemed to fade away as segments like eCity, eCargo, eUrban attracted more attention from brands and riders. But e-mobility rarely moves in a straight line. Changes in commuting habits, infrastructure, fuel prices, public transport use and more continue to shape which bike categories gain ground.