ROME – The bicycle boom does not stop and the European industry in the sector sets new records. Thus, after the positive trend of the previous year, the volumes of 2021 exceeded 22 million units sold for the first time. Overall in Europe, in addition to sales, the production of bicycles and e-bikes, investments and employment in the sector are also growing. The positive data comes from the latest annual report of the continental bicycle industry and market of the European Confederation of the bicycle, e-bike, components and accessories industry (Conebi) and reported in Italy by the National Association of cycle motorcycle accessories (Confindustria Ancma ). Sales of e-bikes are booming, pedal assisted bicycles that have exceeded 5 million units sold and that with the addition of traditional bikes have grossed 19.7 billion euros (+ 7.5% compared to 2020 ). The production of bicycles and e-bikes in Europe in 2021, according to Conebi’s analysis, showed an estimated growth of about 10% compared to 2020, slightly exceeding 16 million units. The production of bicycle parts and accessories also grew to a value of 3.6 billion euros (from 3 billion euros in 2020).
“Reshoring is underway and the known interruptions in the supply chain are triggering a new wave of industrialization in Europe – underlined Erhard Büchel, president of Conebi – it is a process that will take time, but represents a unique opportunity for the industrial ecosystem. European Union to grow sustainably over the long term. More local production – starting with the production of components – and proximity to the consumer are an essential part of the transition “. According to the study, in 2021 total investments in the sector exceeded 1.75 billion euros, with a growth of 17% compared to 1.5 billion euros the previous year. Direct jobs in the manufacturing sector increased from over 77,500 in 2020 to nearly 87,000 in 2021, bringing total direct / indirect jobs in Europe to around 170,000. As for the more than one thousand SMEs operating in the Old Continent in 2020, growth from 5 to 10% is estimated for 2021. “The data from Conebi confirm that profound transformations are underway in the bicycle sector, for which A more complete awareness is needed also on the part of the institutions – declared Paolo Magri, Ancma president – on the one hand there is a strong demand that deserves to be enhanced through cycle infrastructure and a renewed logic of incentives for use, while on the other we are witnessing the evolution of industrial, economic and production paradigms which must be taken into account in order to better grasp the opportunities and within which the Italian entrepreneurial fabric also plays and will play a very significant role “. (by Maurilio Rigo)