Germany

Market highlights

Germany is the largest market for bicycles and e-bikes in Europe. In addition to being a strong retail market, German bicycle companies export around two million bicycles and e-bikes annually. The German bicycle industry employs some 280,000 people directly or indirectly.
E-bike market share:
53%
Industry Association:
Pierer New Mobility is scaling back its activities in the e-bike business. - Photo Pierer New Mobility
Financial

Ailing Pierer New Mobility AG streamlines bicycle and e-bike business

MATTIGHOFEN, Austria - The financial struggle at the motorcycle division of Pierer Mobility AG could not take place without having an impact on the e-bike department. The company has now announced that its regional activities in South Africa, Germany and the UK will gradually be wound down in a controlled manner.

On site for the symbolic handover of the keys (from left to right): Adrian Zellner, member of the management board Garbe Industrial Real Estate, Heiko Burret, Investment management JobRad, Dr. Nela Murauer, managing director at Bravobike and Steffen Kunnig, Mayor of the municipality of Kabelsketal. – Photo Garbe Industrial Real Estate.JPG
Second-hand / Refurbished

JobRad subsidiary Bravobike expands as ex-lease market grows

FREIBURG, Germany - Bravobike GmbH, the subsidiary of leasing pioneer JobRad has signed an agreement with Garbe Industrial Real Estate GmbH, which claims to be a "specialist for logistics real estate and light industry in Germany and Europe." The agreement will see Bravobike make use of a 23,500 sqm property in Kabelsketal, Germany to accommodate the strong growth in the number of ex-lease bicycles that will become available for the second-hand market in the coming years.

Founded in 2002, Bike24 has evolved from a specialised online retailer in the cycling sector to a leading e-commerce platform in continental Europe with a focus on the premium segment. – Photo Bike24
Financial

Bike24 adjusts 2024 sales forecast downwards

DRESDEN, Germany - The Management Board of online bicycle retailer Bike24 Holding AG has adjusted its revenue forecast for the 2024 financial year downwards. At the same time, the company confirms its previous forecast for the adjusted EBITDA margin "based on the indicative results for the fourth quarter of 2024".

The team of Biketec, a spin-off from Flyer that is also owned by ZEG will stay on at the location in Switzerland as Flyer production moves to Germany. – Photo Biketec
Locations

Kettler plant to deliver Flyers by February, Biketec survives Swiss...

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - As predicted, Flyer production is being relocated to ZEG's Kettler factory in Germany. Only a skeleton team for Swiss dealer support will remain at the Swiss site in Huttwil. They will remain alongside sister company Biketec GmbH with its connectivity solution FIT which has not been affected by the exodus, but only after intense negotiations.

One of the customers hit by Sprick’s insolvency is Woom who’s bikes are made in a dedicated factory in Poland. – Photo Woom
Insolvency & Chapter 11

Sprick Cycle the next big name on the list of insolvencies

GÜTERSLOH, Germany - Another well-known traditional company in the German bicycle industry is facing financial difficulties that can't be solved by themselves anymore. Both Sprick Cycle GmbH and its parent company Sprick Holding GmbH filed for provisional insolvency on 27 December, according to an announcement of the insolvency court.

Exhibiting at Ispo Munich: Lemmo Head of Bike Victor Gao (left) and Lemmo CIO and co-founder Frank Aldorf. – Photo Jo Beckendorff
E-bike

Urban e-mobility brand Lemmo debuts at Ispo Munich

BERLIN, Germany - Young urban e-bike mobility brand Lemmo, which was launched by Hypaths GmbH, celebrated its exhibition debut on the sporting goods show Ispo Munich 2024. In a small space at the Ispo BrandNew Hub in Hall B2, the newcomer put the spotlight on what it claims is a newly defined product in the city bike category.

Christian Koll-Schwarze gives a NOCA workshop in his new role as Business Development Lead. – Photo NOCA
People

NOCA further positions itself in data management market with new hire

BERLIN, January - NOCA, the Berlin-based software company pioneering master data management for the cycling industry, has added Christian Koll-Schwarze to its team as Business Development Lead. With more than 20 years of experience in the cycling industry, his role will involve positioning NOCA to transform the way cycling businesses manage their data in the OEM and aftermarket.

From the start of next year, Georg Honkomp will hand over his position as chairman of the board. – Photo ZEG
People

Georg Honkomp steps down as chairman of the board at ZEG

COLOGNE, Germany - From the start of next year, Georg Honkomp will hand over his position as chairman of the board of Europe's biggest dealer cooperative, German ZEG, to his successor Fred Schierenbeck.

The latest extension of the Rehe facility of Abus was particularly aimed at increasing the capacity for the mobility sector. - Photos Bike Europe
Company

Abus open doors of high-tech factory at 100th anniversary

REHE, Germany - Welcoming almost 5,000 people at their head office in Wetter, Germany, bike security company Abus celebrated their 100th anniversary in the first week of December. On this occasion the company also opened their doors to visitors of their newly built high-tech production hall for mobility products.

Advocacy

German bicycle industry urges greater support in government election...

BERLIN, Germany - Eyeing the upcoming federal elections, the advocacy organization Zukunft Fahrrad (Bicycle Future), issued a position paper campaigning for more political support for the bicycle industry. The new government in Germany will have to make clear policy choices as the cycling industry is not the only sector that's facing challenges and thus calling for support.

Providing an emission-free alternative to delivery vans, Onomotion's ‘Ono’ heavy-duty e-cargobike. – Photo Emoving
Mergers & Acquisitions

Takeover secures insolvent Onomotion's future

BERLIN, Germany - Due to a sales slump and the resulting financial bottleneck Berlin-based (cargo-) LEV manufacturer Onomotion GmbH had to file for insolvency on 26 September. A subsidiary of a corporate group already backing other bike manufacturers, Emoving GmBH, has added the last mile delivery solution provider to its portfolio.

Cube Bikes plans to set up a facility in Egypt to produce plastic-reinforced carbon bicycle parts. – Photo Cube
Production

Cube Bikes plans to invest €5 million in component factory in Egypt

WALDERSDORF, Germany - Cube Bikes plans to set up a facility in Egypt to produce plastic-reinforced carbon parts for export to its European factories as production inputs. The company has already scheduled a second visit to Egypt to secure a 40,000-square-meter plot in the 10th of Ramadan City, northeast of Cairo.

“I wanted to bring fashion and style into this product category,” says Tex-Lock CEO and co-founder Alexandra Baum. – Photo Bike Europe
Innovations & products

'Locks should be more than just a safety feature'

LEIPZIG, Germany - For Tex-Lock a bicycle lock is not just that standard heavy weight safety device in black that needs to be used by any cyclist to protect their bike. "I wanted to bring fashion and style into this product category but also improve the usability," says Tex-Lock CEO and co-founder Alexandra Baum. "Locks needed a soft feeling instead of bulky steel."

The current market situation in combination with full warehouses stood as the basis for the financial problems at Advanced Bike. – Photo Advanced Bikes
Insolvency & Chapter 11

Advanced Bikes files for insolvency proceedings

OFFENBACH, Germany - Rumours had been swirling recently that another Germany e-bike manufacturer was facing financial problems, and this was confirmed yesterday when Advanced Bikes GmbH officially filed for insolvency. This insolvency reflects the problems the European industry is currently facing.

Circular Logistics has been recognised at the German Design Awards for the company’s zero waste reusable boxes for bicycle shipping, which result in up to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions. Photo: Circular Logistics
Innovations & products

Circular Logistics' reusable bike transport box wins design award

PÖCKING, Germany - Circular Logistics GmbH, a pioneer in sustainable packaging solutions, has been awarded in two categories at the German Design Awards 2025 for their innovative design of a reusable transport box for new bikes.

The German hammerman strikes: Huttwil will definitely soon be ‘flyered out’ at the expense of over 100 hundred jobs. Photo Peter Hummel
Production

The end for Flyer in Huttwil: Swiss-made is definitely over

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - The closure of production at Flyer in Huttwil is now a sad certainty. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, CEO Andy Kessler announced yesterday that at least 150 employees will soon be made redundant. The media only learned of this unfortunate pre-Christmas news via dealers and employees; owner ZEG has not disclosed any information.

The ongoing diversification of Eurobike’s audience is also reflected in the layout of the event. – Photo Bike Europe
Shows & Events

Eurobike responds to changing market situation with shift in...

FRANKFURT, Germany - The delayed improvement in the financial position of leading players in the bicycle industry casts its shadow ahead of Eurobike 2025. The show organisation reports a shift towards more attention for the segments parts and accessories, boutique brands, services and international suppliers.

hGears manufactures high precision parts and components and has counted Bosch, Oli e-bike systems, ProscheEP and Valeo as clients in the E-bike segment. – Photo Bike Europe
Financial

hGears' e-bike business segment suffers from sluggish destocking

SCHAMBERG, Germany - High-precision transmission parts and components manufacturer hGears AG continues to suffer not only from the automotive crisis, but also from the e-bike business segment's sluggish destocking. In the first nine months of the current 2024 financial year, it had to digest its biggest sales drop.