But only slightly – and the UK is still the second biggest bike market in Europe
Bicycle sales in the UK fell slightly in terms of units and value in 2011, according to the latest COLIBI and COLIPED annual report on the European bicycle market.
2011 saw bicycle unit sales fall slightly to 3,580,000 from 3,640,000 in 2010, however 2010's figure was well up on 2009's 3,400,000 and 2008's 3,311,000.
Long term, unit sales are significantly higher than ten years ago – around 55 per cent higher than a decade ago – (2002: 2,300,000) but down on 2004's high of 3,905,000.
Despite the dip, the UK still has the second highest number of unit sales of bicycles in Europe, behind only Germany (4,050,000 units). Third in the table is France with 3,200,000 units and Italy with 1,750,000.
In terms of value, 2011 also saw a slight dip in sales, falling to 1.6 per cent on 2010. However, 2010's value sales figure had risen a whopping 39 per cent from 2009.
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The figures in the report also noted that UK bicycle production almost doubled last year.
COLIBI is the Association of the European Bicycle Industry. COLIPED is the Association of the European Two-Wheeler Parts and Accessories Industry.
The figures have come from COLIBI and COLIPED's annual joint BIMP report – the European Bicycle Industry & Market Profile. The figures are based on those provided by members of those two organisations, as well as data from non-member countries. The Bicycle Association of Great Britain is one of those members.
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4 comments
Just to clarify Jonathon, these are import figures correct, there is no factual sales data available? Just that issues have arisen here before (like 39% increase in 2009, to mention but one) and of course unit data does not reflect value of sales or the market. Have you any views on 2012 volumes, even if just units vs. 2011 now that we are over 75% through the year?
billy hunt Oct 9th 2012 at 4:36PM
0 1As I understand it, that's spot on - these are based on the import stats (unfortunately). So if there is inventory from the previous years, sales of those won't have been taken into account. In terms of 2012, I think the general impression is that the poor start to summer has been made up for since, whether that's down to Wiggo, Olympics or whatever! What is your take?
Jonathon Harker Oct 9th 2012 at 4:40PM
0 0Thanks, just wanted to clarify that the figures are just the standard unit import figures to the UK, not reflective of market sales volumes. Still working on retail sales analysis and due to limited interest/funding I expect the publication will be late in the year, but: Certain that several weeks of decent weather from end July have not compensated for several months of some of the wettest weather we have ever seen in the country. Many cycling initiatives and related investments have been washed away by the negative weather (perhaps we should all invest in an anti-rain dance programme, might be get a bigger ROI?). Reports of highest retail closure rate in the sector for many years and certainly lowest new entrant rate for ages; interest is still there, delivery is not! As you would expect, same as every other leisure (retail) sector, big ticket item sales i.e. bikes are poor, but ongoing resilience in committed cyclists, repairs keeping bikes on the road, upgrades and replacement P&A sales to this sector of cyclists. Some new opportunities have been muted due to restricted stock investment through the supply chain, but who can blame suppliers for caution in current economy. A very disappointing year, saved from disaster….so far, by August/September sunshine and families on staycations still willing to engage, but the remainder of the year looks challenging. P.S. any chance of changing this design so that it can accommodate breaks, rather than reading like a desperate asthmatic?
billy hunt Oct 9th 2012 at 6:11PM
0 1Sorry to hear of the high retail closure rate, that awful start to summer seems to have cost dearly. A real shame in the Olympic year too… And sorry, no change to comments section accommodating paragraph breaks any time soon. We'll have to pass around the inhalers.
Jonathon Harker Oct 10th 2012 at 4:52PM
0 0