Thu, Mar 27, 2025 page9

• Bicycle show touts steady industry recovery

  • By Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporter
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  The Taipei International Cycle Show (Taipei Cycle) yesterday opened at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, with the event’s organizer expecting a steady recovery in the industry this year following a tough last year.

  This year, 980 companies from 35 countries are participating in the annual bicycle trade show, showcasing technological breakthroughs and market development trends of the bicycle industry at 3,600 booths, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA, 外貿協會) said in a statement.

  Under the theme “Ride the Revolution,” the exhibition has attracted more than 3,500 international buyers from 80 countries to preregister for the four-day event, which is expected to bring business opportunities to local firms, TAITRA said.

  

  People inspect various Merida bicycle models on the first day of the Taipei Cycle show in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center’s Hall 1 yesterday.

  Photo: CNA

  TAITRA chairman James Huang (黃志芳) said in his opening speech that Taiwan’s bicycle industry experienced a decline in exports of conventional and electric bicycles last year due to inventory adjustments.

  However, the average selling price of exported bicycles has increased more than ever before, indicating that Taiwanese firms are striving to move toward high-end and high-value-added models, he said.

  Government data showed exports of conventional bicycles totaled US$1.03 billion last year, down 25.67 percent from US$1.38 billion in 2023, but the average selling price rose 8.33 percent annually to US$1,132.33 per unit.

  

  People work at a booth displaying various bicycle components at the Taipei Cycle show yesterday.

  Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE

  Exports of electric bicycles fell 44.59 percent to US$672 million last year from US$1.21 billion a year earlier, but the average selling price increased 4.53 percent annually to US$1,847.23 per unit, data showed.

  Meanwhile, outbound shipments of bicycle parts last year dropped 17.45 percent to US$1.41 billion, from US$1.71 billion a year earlier, data showed.

  Describing Taipei Cycle as the world’s second-largest and Asia’s largest professional bicycle show, Huang said he hoped this year’s event would help the local supply chain secure more international orders than last year.

  

  A person tries cycling sunglasses at the Taipei Cycle show yesterday. The show runs through Saturday.

  Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE

  Taiwan Bicycle Association (台灣自行車公會) chairman Robert Wu (吳盈進) added a sense of optimism, telling a pre-show news conference on Tuesday that the “green shoots” of an industry recovery are in sight.

  Market demand gradually improved from the start of this year, Wu said, citing the rising demand for mid-range and low-end models in the US, coupled with strong demand for electric bicycles.

  In Europe, consumption momentum remains normal despite the issue of inventory depletion, he said.

  As a result, the industry is expected to see gradual recovery each quarter for the remainder of the year, with the more obvious growth likely to emerge in the second half of the year, he added.

  As for the impact of US President Donald Trump’s potential tariff policy on the bicycle industry, local firms have had close discussions, and would wait and see how the US policy pans out, Wu said.

  There is no urgency for firms to substantially relocate their production bases to other regions for the time being, he said.

  The annual bicycle show features a variety of tires, seats, frames, lights, brakes, derailleurs, bicycles and electric bikes. Leading Taiwanese bike brands, such as Giant Manufacturing Co (巨大機械) and Merida Industry Co (美利達), introduced their new products at the show, while other firms, including Acer Gadget Inc (倚天酷碁), Delta Electronics Inc (台達電), Thermaltake Technology Co (曜越科技) and Dyaco International Inc (岱宇國際), exhibited their innovations related to electric and commuter bikes, TAITRA said.

  In addition, the event features an innovation area for bike ventures, gathering 11 bicycle start-ups from seven countries to present their new products and services across three aspects: electrification, sustainable solutions and new business models, the organizer said.

  TAITRA has also put up an e-cycling pavilion at the show, allowing visitors to enjoy first-hand virtual cycling experience, and has organized a series of forums to explore the economic and cultural impacts of international cycling events, it said.

  The Taipei Cycle show, along with the Taipei International Sporting Goods Show, is to run until Saturday in halls 1 and 2 of the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.
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