Subscribers onlyThe Italian bicycle market closed 2025 in negative territory, confirming what now appears to be a structural downturn. Data released by Confindustria ANCMA and presented at Pirelli's advanced bike tyre manufacturing facility in Bollate near Milan, show total sales of 1.3 million units, down 4% year on year.
Although the number of bicycles delivered in Switzerland fell again by around 25,000 units in 2025, the trend in sports bicycles and e-bikes provided a ray of hope, as sales in these categories started to rise again. Looking solely at specialist retailers, excluding major distributors, rising figures were recorded in almost all sectors. However, the Swiss bicycle suppliers' association, Velosuisse, still refers to being in a 'consolidation phase.'
The inventory crisis, which hit the sector since 2022, has hardly been resolved by the international bicycle industry as the next major concern hits the market. Increasing oil prices, raw material shortages, and threats to shipping routes were among the many topics discussed at the Taipei International Cycle Show 2026. The industry gathered for this leading annual event from March 25 to 28 in Taipei, Taiwan.
SponsoredChogori Technology, a manufacturer of high-performance connectors, has secured UL approval for its e-bike connectors, which the Chinese-based company says is a significant advancement in electric mobility safety.
GfK research in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium highlights four trends in purchasing behaviour and priorities when buying an e-bike. The e-bike is no longer just a recreational luxury but is increasingly becoming a serious mobility alternative that influences daily travel behaviour.
The Dutch bicycle market has enjoyed favourable market conditions throughout 2025. According to the annual report from H&L Accountancy's benchmark group, average retail revenue increased by 5.3% across bicycle retailers in the Netherlands. However, at the same time, the gross margin decreased by 0.9 percentage points, bringing it to 28.0% as labour costs put pressure on margins.
