This year’s Taichung Bike Week (TBW) unfolded under a noticeably subdued atmosphere, mirroring the sluggish global market demand. A common question echoed across the show floor: Where have the buyers gone—and why aren’t they coming?

Many leading component suppliers admitted that the number of meetings with customers this year has dropped to just one-third of what it used to be. Even when buyers did show up, most visits were more courtesy calls than business opportunities. Conversations centered on a variety of practical issues: some discussed new specifications, others negotiated delays on undelivered orders, some pushed for urgent shipments, many came simply to maintain relationships over meals and drinks—and in the least welcome cases, buyers pressed for discounts and price cuts.

Such dynamics have prompted the industry to reflect: Should Taichung Bike Week continue next year? If so, should it remain in hotel venues or shift to a dedicated exhibition center? Yet the deeper and more pressing question goes beyond whether and where—it is: Where are the orders? How can we bring buyers back? How can we spark new demand in the market?

Beyond the exhibition itself, the timing of TBW also deserves careful evaluation. Does it truly align with the industry’s cycle and buyers’ needs? After all, as long as there is market demand and buyers are willing to come, the show can succeed—whether held in hotels, new venues, or even another city. Conversely, without relevance or attraction, the format and location are meaningless.

This line of questioning extends to the Taipei Cycle Show in March as well. Does it still serve a critical role? Is its timing still suitable? What tangible value does it deliver to the industry? These are urgent issues that require collective consideration and strategic coordination.

As the event concludes, the real challenges lie ahead: How should the industry reposition itself? How can companies plan proactively for the next cycle? What direction should the next step take? These questions, more than the debate over next year’s event, will ultimately define the future.