Mobility of tomorrow

eBikes on the Rise 

Mobility of tomorrow

eBikes on the Rise 

Success story of the future

Results of the market study by Bosch eBike Systems

A new generation of bikes is taking town and country by storm and is already a part of everyday life. eBikes are a modern means of transport for modern people: people in a hurry and people who prefer to take it easy, the fit and the comfort lovers, commuters and pleasure cyclists and, of course, young and old.

“One bike in two will be an eBike in ten years’ time”

Claus Fleischer forecasts rapid growth

  • Sales: 50 per cent eBikes in core markets ten years from now
  • Nearly every kind of bicycle will be available “electrified”
  • Challenges and solutions for safe and connected eBiking

“The eBike market is developing fast and furiously. We consider it to be realistic that in ten years’ time one bicycle in two newly sold in European core markets will be an eBike,” forecasts Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. At present, nearly five per cent of the around 73 million bicycles in Germany are eBikes, but their share is rising steadily. Market analysis by Bosch eBike Systems outlines the status quo of this modern means of getting around and takes a look at the future.

“One bike in two will be an eBike in ten years’ time”

Claus Fleischer forecasts rapid growth

  • Sales: 50 per cent eBikes in core markets ten years from now
  • Nearly every kind of bicycle will be available “electrified”
  • Challenges and solutions for safe and connected eBiking

“The eBike market is developing fast and furiously. We consider it to be realistic that in ten years’ time one bicycle in two newly sold in European core markets will be an eBike,” forecasts Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems. At present, nearly five per cent of the around 73 million bicycles in Germany are eBikes, but their share is rising steadily. Market analysis by Bosch eBike Systems outlines the status quo of this modern means of getting around and takes a look at the future.

1,667,000 sales
across Europe in 2016
(an increase of more than 22% on 2015)

Every second German commuter travels
less than 10 kilometres to work.
Over distances of this kind the pedelec
is the fastest means of urban transport.

What cyclists want:

More than 50 % of respondents 
in Germany regard e-bikes as 
an alternative to cars.

Where eBikes are used:

 eBikes in Europe – now & in the future:

74 % of potential buyers opt
for stationary bike dealers

Growth through diversification

For 2017 the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV) forecasts national sales totalling 680,000 eBikes. That is a year-on-year increase of about 12 per cent. Further results: 10 per cent of the participants already own a pedelec and 16 per cent are looking into buying one in the year ahead. When it comes to buying an eBike the cycle dealer is the first port of call for 74 per cent. One in four is considering buying online and 22 per cent are looking to buy from a sports retailer. eBikes benefit from their versatility. For every other prospective eBiker using a pedelec as a means of getting around in their leisure time was a key factor, with excursions and cycle tours (40 per cent) next on the list. The opportunity to keep fit and healthy (38 per cent) came third.

Design integration becomes standard

eBikes are a part of lifestyle. Design integration plays an increasingly important role. “In the future integrated concepts will be the benchmark. With the integrable battery Bosch combines practical benefit and high-quality bike design,” Fleischer says. 

Design integration becomes standard

eBikes are a part of lifestyle. Design integration plays an increasingly important role. “In the future integrated concepts will be the benchmark. With the integrable battery Bosch combines practical benefit and high-quality bike design,” Fleischer says. 

The eBike as an urban companion

One prospective eBiker in three feels it is important to commute by eBike. Battery-powered cargo bikes are gaining ground in the commercial and private transport sector. They enable deliveries to be made by means of eco-friendly, space-saving concepts. Politics promotes cycling, partly by increasing its federal budget funding to EUR 200 million a year with a view to increasing cycling’s share of transport from 12 to 15 per cent by 2020.

The eBike as an urban companion

One prospective eBiker in three feels it is important to commute by eBike. Battery-powered cargo bikes are gaining ground in the commercial and private transport sector. They enable deliveries to be made by means of eco-friendly, space-saving concepts. Politics promotes cycling, partly by increasing its federal budget funding to EUR 200 million a year with a view to increasing cycling’s share of transport from 12 to 15 per cent by 2020.

Sporty eBikes in the overtaking lane

eMountain bikes are the fastest-growing eBike market segment. In 2016 the share of eMTBs in eBike sales was around 15 per cent. Already every third system we sell is a powerful Performance Line CX. "In the long term eMTBs will outperform conventional mountain bikes in the sales stakes,” Fleischer says.

More information about Performance Line CX

Sporty eBikes in the overtaking lane

eMountain bikes are the fastest-growing eBike market segment. In 2016 the share of eMTBs in eBike sales was around 15 per cent. Already every third system we sell is a powerful Performance Line CX. "In the long term eMTBs will outperform conventional mountain bikes in the sales stakes,” Fleischer says.

More information about Performance Line CX

Greater safety in urban traffic

Safety remains an important topic. To improve road safety for the eBiker and his environment Bosch has developed an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for eBikes. The eBike ABS can prevent locking of the front wheel and limit lift-off of the rear wheel. In this way the braking distance can be shortened and the risk of overturning and a fall reduced. One in two respondents see ABS as a good idea for pedelecs. According to the interviewees want more cycle lanes and tracks (63 per cent), secure cycle parking facilities (55 per cent) and separation of cyclists from pedestrians (55 per cent).

more information about ABS

Greater safety in urban traffic

Safety remains an important topic. To improve road safety for the eBiker and his environment Bosch has developed an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for eBikes. The eBike ABS can prevent locking of the front wheel and limit lift-off of the rear wheel. In this way the braking distance can be shortened and the risk of overturning and a fall reduced. One in two respondents see ABS as a good idea for pedelecs. According to the interviewees want more cycle lanes and tracks (63 per cent), secure cycle parking facilities (55 per cent) and separation of cyclists from pedestrians (55 per cent).

more information about ABS

The connected bike is increasingly becoming a reality

The connected eBiker has a crucial role to play in tomorrow’s mobility. Between 2017 and 2022 the global market for connected mobility is expected to grow by about 25 per cent per year. The takeover of the start-up COBI.Bike provides Bosch eBike Systems with an opportunity to extend its product portfolio meaningfully. COBI.Bike’s smartphone-based solutions for controlling bicycles and eBikes are seen as an optimal add-on to fulfil customers’ wishes in the best possible way.

more information about COBI.Bike

The connected bike is increasingly becoming a reality

The connected eBiker has a crucial role to play in tomorrow’s mobility. Between 2017 and 2022 the global market for connected mobility is expected to grow by about 25 per cent per year. The takeover of the start-up COBI.Bike provides Bosch eBike Systems with an opportunity to extend its product portfolio meaningfully. COBI.Bike’s smartphone-based solutions for controlling bicycles and eBikes are seen as an optimal add-on to fulfil customers’ wishes in the best possible way.

more information about COBI.Bike

Product portfolio

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