E-bikes give the two-wheeled market a jolt

Shimano

24/07/2020 09:41

(The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist.  The opinions
expressed are his own.)
    By Peter Thal Larsen
    LONDON, July 24 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Pandemic-induced
fear of public transport and state subsidies have boosted the
$65 bln bicycle business. Growing numbers are opting for
battery-assisted pedalling. As with cars, the shift is
disruptive. Leaders like Shimano and Giant will have to make
space for new players.
    Full view will be published shortly.
    On Twitter https://twitter.com/peter_tl
    
    CONTEXT NEWS
    - UK retailer Halfords on July 7 reported that revenue in
its cycling business had risen 57% on a like-for-like basis in
the 13 weeks to July 3, “helped by the avoidance of public
transport, favourable weather conditions and the increased
adoption of cycling as a health and leisure activity”.
    - The UK Bicycle Association on June 26 said that sales of
bicycles worth between 400 pounds and 1,000 pounds more than
doubled in April 2020 compared to the same month a year earlier.
Sales of e-bikes were up 55% by value and 48% by volume.
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Bicycle Association statement    https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/news-press/ba-calls-for-e-bike-incentives-after-revealing-lockdown-sales-figures-for-april-explosive-growth-for-lower-priced-bikes-but-e-bike-boom-stalled/
Halfords results    https://www.halfordscompany.com/media/2725/halfords-fy20-full-year-preliminary-results-announcement.pdf
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 (Editing by Neil Unmack and Karen Kwok)
 ((peter.thal.larsen@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging:
peter.thal.larsen.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))