BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
2018 will prove to be a “critical” year for the global cycling industry, according to TAITRA president and CEO Walter Yeh.
Kicking off the 31st Taipei Cycle Show, which is playing host to 1,150 exhibitors across 3,250 booths, Yeh stated: “Not only are major exhibitions moving their show dates and venues, but the industry is also transforming itself in line with digital trends in this era of smart technology.
“We anticipate a powerful synergy between cutting-edge ‘smart’ products and the future of the ‘smart cycling’ lifestyle. This will be the highlight of the show.”
This year’s event includes the addition of ‘Taipei Cycle Plus’ in Hall 3 of the TWTC, which will play host to these specific technologies including Internet of Things (IoT) and smart manufacturing.
Ralph Wiegmann, managing director of iF International Forum Design, believes the industry is in dire need of a “new mission”, and delivering more pedestrian and bike-friendly cities could be the next step.
“We have reached a high standard in bikes and components all over the world,” he said. “Since e-bikes and pedelecs were invented and developed, the market was expanded as well in a pretty good way.
“But what I’m really waiting for is the next big challenge for the bike industry. What’s coming next?”
He believes manufacturers and Governments must up their communication to develop more suitable roads, not only for the future of cycling, but for the future of our world itself.
“Maybe we need an initiative,” concluded Wiegmann. “Such as pedestrians first and cars second.”
