Text & Photos: Daphne Chen
The world’s largest international bicycle exhibition, the 2024 Eurobike Show, took place from July 3rd to 7th in Frankfurt, Germany. This year’s event coincided with the fervor of the UEFA European Championship, a clash that saw football's excitement overshadowing the cycling world. Nonetheless, Eurobike 2024 remained a pivotal event, setting the trends and directions for the future of bicycles.
E-Mobility Takes Center Stage
This year’s Eurobike was unmistakably an e-mobility showcase. The exhibition floor was dominated by e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, emphasizing lightweight designs, smart IoT integration, higher torque, longer battery life, smart navigation, anti-theft features, and belt drives. The competition among motor manufacturers was fierce, with notable entries from DJI, known for drones, and ZF, a renowned automotive drivetrain manufacturer. The trend towards more compact and lightweight mid-drive motors with greater torque was evident.
Sustainability and Regulations in Focus
The upcoming implementation of the European Union's battery passport, production history, and related regulations garnered significant attention. The overarching themes of carbon reduction, eco-friendly materials, sustainable practices, and circular economy were prominently highlighted. Increasingly, products showcased at the event featured eco-friendly aluminum, recycled fishing nets, and green energy to minimize carbon emissions, aligning with the goals of circular economy and carbon neutrality.
Advancements in Technology and Materials
The pursuit of lightweight bicycles continued to be a significant focus, with 3D printing technology being increasingly utilized for parts, accessories, and even titanium frames, particularly in saddle products. This technological advancement is expected to revolutionize the manufacturing processes within the industry.
Event Scale and Market Insights
The 2024 Eurobike Show saw participation from 1,800 exhibitors representing 69 countries, with an indoor and outdoor exhibition area spanning 150,000 square meters. Despite the grand scale, exhibitors noted a 30-50% reduction in buyer attendance due to high bicycle inventory levels in the European market. The consumer turnout during the last two days, designated as consumer days, was also lower than expected. Industry experts anticipate that inventory levels may normalize by the end of this year, with some suggesting it could take until the first or even the second quarter of next year.
Looking Ahead
Despite the sentiment among many exhibitors that a four-day event would be more optimal, the 2025 Eurobike Show is scheduled to maintain its five-day duration from June 25th to 29th. As Eurobike continues to evolve, it remains at the forefront of defining and driving the future trends in the cycling industry.
