Could the success of e-bikes come at the expense of standard bikes?
Posted on in Cycles News
According to an online survey of 1000 consumers done for Shimano in April this year, conducted via OnePoll, 14% of Britons believe that e-bikes are set to become the norm, leading to the demise of standard bikes.
The press release introducing the survey suggests e-bikes "allow riders to delve into nature and experience the thrill of covering long distances, across difficult terrain without bursting their lungs,"
The results of the survey come as no surprise when the popularity of e-bikes is growing at an incredible pace. In both the US and the UK, we're hearing that sales of electric bikes are starting to pick up, whilst across Europe the statistics speak for themselves.
Norway's e-bikes sales in 2016 are expected to quadruple from in 2014, with experts predicting that 40,000 electric bicycles will be sold this year.
The German bicycle market is also positive, with double-digit growth year on year of 11.5% to 535,000 units in 2015.
In Holland e-bike sales are booming too. According to the Dutch industry-association, sales grew 24% in 2015 giving e-bikes a massive 28% market share. That growth did come at the expense of city bikes, which saw sales decline.
As the e-bike market grows in Europe, bike shops not only need to consider stocking the products, but mechanics need to be prepared for a growing number of e-bike repairs coming into the workshop.
To ensure bike mechanics stay up to date with all the new technologies in the market, Cytech aims to provide the skills needed to set up and repair a broad spectrum of electric bicycles along with an understanding of the specific standards and legal aspects that apply to them. In order to do this, the new Cytech technical e-bike course will start being delivered in summer 2016. To find out more click here.
Already stocking e-bikes? Don't forget to make sure your Cycling Experts listing reflects this. Check your listing here and make sure the 'e-bike' icon is showing on your details.