On the eve of Eurobike 2025, Germany’s bicycle industry association ZIV has reported modest but promising signs of recovery in the country’s bicycle market during the first quarter of the year.

Sales Up in Q1

According to ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork, market sentiment has improved among manufacturers and retailers, supported by stable economic conditions. In Q1 2025, 885,000 bicycles and e-bikes were sold in Germany—a nearly 11% increasecompared to the same period in 2024. E-bike sales alone grew by 11% to 500,000 units.
However, sales dipped slightly in April and May, reducing the year-on-year growth for spring as a whole to about 5%. Inventory levels continued to decline, particularly in retail. Demand remained strong for sport bikes like road and gravel bikes, and e-MTBs were especially popular.

Strong Production Growth

German production rose significantly, with 760,000 bikes and e-bikes manufactured in Q1—up 13.5% year-on-year. E-bike production grew by 16%, while standard bikes increased by nearly 10%. Stork cautioned that first-quarter production is often seasonal and not a clear annual indicator, but confirmed that “we’ve made it through the lowest point.”

Exports and Imports Surge

Exports also increased, with 338,000 bicycles and e-bikes shipped abroad—up 16% from Q1 2024. Imports surged nearly 28%, reaching 640,000 units, including a 30% rise in bicycles and a 24% jump in e-bikes.

Outlook Cautiously Optimistic

ZIV remains cautiously optimistic, noting that while growth figures are strong, they are partly due to a weak 2024 base. “We see light at the end of the tunnel,” said Stork, but warned that full recovery is unlikely before 2026.