Friedrichshafen – Once a year, the whole bike world meets on the shores of Lake Constance. The Eurobike really gets them moving. Friedrichshafen isn’t just where the newest innovations in cycling are presented to the world (366 world premieres) – it is where the world’s bicycle industry shows off its entire innovative power. Everyone involved in mobility on two wheels comes to the Eurobike, a fact reflected in the heavy attendance at the international bicycle show, which ended on Saturday after four days. With 43 700 industry visitors from 97 countries, 20 500 bike fans on public day, and 1 889 media representatives from 42 countries, the global industry meeting on the shores of Lake Constance ended with an “outstanding result” for everyone involved.
The 1 250 exhibitors from 49 countries made for a very impressive concentration of international cycling power. Throughout the fairground’s 14 halls and on its test tracks, companies from across the bicycle industry demonstrated the dynamism that currently exists in the bicycle industry. Industry visitors, journalists and consumers alike were able to put the power of the new e-bike drives to the test. Thanks to battery-powered support, pedaling fully loaded utility bikes is now easier than ever. Folding bikes can be easily and compactly transported in a trunk and the owners don’t even need to leave the electric motor behind. In fact, in the future bike riding in general will be easier and more comfortable than ever, because of electronic shifting, suspension and shock-absorption technology. Mobility on two wheels - whether it involves a strenuous climb up a hill, a thrilling contest on racing bikes, or a calm ride to the office - is now clearly on the fast track. In the opinion of many industry experts, the Eurobike in Friedrichshafen represents the ideal professional platform, one that’s perfect for the biking scene. According to Oliver Hensche, Director of Giant Germany, “the Eurobike is the most important bike show in the world. During the show, we had an extremely high number of contacts and were able to present ourselves very well, especially internationally. Our new location on the fairgrounds also worked very well for us.” Bernhard Lange, Managing Director, Paul Lange & Co. OHG, says “we are really extremely satisfied with how the Eurobike 2012 has turned out so far. The number of contacts and discussions with dealers has been well above last year’s figures; the quality of the discussions has been very high and the mood is good. Once again, the Eurobike has shown why it has the reputation and the status as the world’s leading trade show for the bicycle industry. The cycling trend is very hot right now, and the Eurobike has proven it.” According to Thomas Goebel, Press Spokesman of Hartje, “the dealers really beat a path to our stand, especially on the second day of the show. For us, the Eurobike is the most important show of the year and will certainly remain so for a long time.” Rainer König, Director of Sales, Stevens Bikes added “the Eurobike continues to be the leading trade show, the one at which we cultivate relationships with 80 percent of our dealers. The response has been outstanding.”
The world’s leading trade show
“Once again, the Eurobike very impressively backed up its claim as the world’s leading bike trade show”, said Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann and Eurobike project leader Stefan Reisinger, both visibly pleased about the many positive reactions from exhibitors who were more than satisfied with the show. “But we are also aware that we need to keep working on the topics of transportation and parking, and have to keep up the search for a better solution, in close cooperation with the city and the police,” Klaus Wellmann said at the close of the show.
Strong media interest
The international industry press, popular media, television and radio broadcasters transmitted the latest from the Eurobike and the cycling world around the globe: A total of 1 889 journalists from 42 countries attended the international bicycle trade show, once again a marked increase over last year. International interest especially increased again this year: 53 percent of the media representatives present came from abroad. European media led the pack, but more and more journalists from Asia, America and Australia have been reporting on the Eurobike. For the first time, journalists from Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore attended the show on the shores of Lake Constance.
Eurobike Demo Day: Off to a strong start
On Tuesday, August 28th, the town of Argenbühl in the Allgäu was transformed by test bikes. Held under sunny skies, the sixth Eurobike Demo Day again gave industry visitors and journalists the perfect opportunity to put the latest innovations of the 2013 biking season through their paces. 133 exhibitors and brands presented themselves to industry experts from around the world on the day before the Eurobike. 1 938 bike fans, more than ever before (2011: 1 840), put the newest developments in racing bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes and reclining and folding bikes to the test on five different tracks and trails. "Once again, the mood at Demo Day was fantastic and we are very pleased with the increased level of participation from international exhibitors, visitors and journalists. As in the past, the support we got from the community of Argenbühl has been splendid and we look forward to returning again next year”, said Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen.
Bicycle Tourism Congress
The increase in bicycle tourism was the focus of the Travel Talk. The international congress for bicycle tourism has become well established with in the Eurobike and was held for the 11th time on Friday, August 31. About 200 participants from 23 countries attended the workshops and lectures examining the newest trends in bike tourism. Special emphasis was placed on e-bikes and bike rental systems, social media, route planning and cross marketing.
Dates for the Eurobike 2013
The Eurobike 2013 will take place from Wednesday, August 28, to Saturday August 31, at the fairgrounds in Friedrichshafen. Demo Day will take place on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, a day before the Eurobike. Public day will be Saturday, August 31.
