Eurobike remains the place to go for the international bike industry: 42,590 trade visitors (2016: 42,720) and 22,160 bike fans on the public day traveled from 101 countries to the world's largest bike trade fair on Lake Constance. The aim was to find out about bike premieres, new equipment and future services in the global bike industry from 1,400 exhibitors from 50 countries on the fully booked exhibition grounds.

High intensity of business and professional exchange

"Eurobike 2017 was a great success with a high intensity of business and professional exchange. For many customers, it is the most important meeting place and a unique opportunity to talk to decision-makers from all over the world," says Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen, summing up the 26th edition of the leading trade fair.

And Eurobike Area Manager Stefan Reisinger explains: "We are satisfied with the course of the trade fair, even if there was a lot of rain after a sunny start. With high-caliber visitors once again in Europe's strongest sales region, Eurobike remains a guarantee for good contacts and business as well as a reliable showcase for the industry." At a consistently high level of 62 percent, visitors from abroad traveled to Eurobike in Friedrichshafen this year.

E-bike sets the pace in the industry

"The e-bike has come to stay," is Reisinger's unsurprising conclusion after four days at the trade fair. Walking through the exhibition halls, it became clear to every visitor that all types of bikes will also be available with motor assistance in the future. "It became clear at Eurobike: e-bikes are making a significant contribution to the renaissance of the bicycle. More and more people are interested in this intelligent and future-oriented means of transportation that is changing mobility: fast, flexible and sustainable," concluded the trade fair organizers from Friedrichshafen.

In future in July - only as a B2B event

In 2018, Eurobike will take place from Sunday, July 8 to Tuesday, July 10, 2018 and is aimed exclusively at trade visitors due to the early timing. The established Eurobike Media Days will take place directly beforehand from July 4 to 6, 2018 in the Tyrolean vacation region of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis as an innovation test for all sports-oriented complete bike manufacturers. As an intermediate day, July 7 will be taken up with individual target group addresses - from congresses, test events, media launches to closed door meetings.

Should have been held in July a long time ago

In conclusion, the trade fair organizers announce broad approval for the future Eurobike concept. As a representative of the bicycle industry, Martin Schamböck, Director Brand Management Focus Bikes, says: "Trade fair dates in July are generally better. When it comes to international business developments, orders start to be placed in July; the trade fair organizers should have moved Eurobike to July a long time ago."

Further comments on Eurobike 2017

• Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President of Baden-Württemberg: "Eurobike is a real beacon in the future landscape of bicycle mobility. The bicycle industry in the southwest is an important part of our strong economy. The fact that the leading trade fair for the entire industry takes place in Baden-Württemberg is an expression of this strength."
Frank Peiffer, Managing Director Shimano Europe BV: "Eurobike was well attended this year, despite or perhaps because of all the rain. We had many interested visitors to our stand on all days. This year the focus was more on the German-speaking countries, but unfortunately there was a decline in international visitors worldwide. It remains to be seen how next year's new date will be received. It is to be hoped that the number of visitors will remain high and that the international part can catch up again."Bernhard Lange, Managing Partner of Paul Lange & Co OHG: "Eurobike 2017 has once again presented itself as the hub of the bicycle world and is well established as the world's most important industry meeting place. Despite lower dealer contact figures, we are therefore very satisfied with Eurobike 2017. The mood in the market is generally very positive and the market remains dynamic. However, the feedback we are receiving from retailers and other market participants has us looking ahead to the plans for Eurobike 2018 with some concern. We will be monitoring and analyzing the situation very closely over the coming weeks and months."Cristiano De Rosa, Managing Director De Rosa: "My assessment of Eurobike 2017 is very positive. We had good attendance from trade visitors to end customers. I am also optimistic about the new date in 2018 and would like to look forward to the change with optimism. So far, my company has been targeting distributors in March and retailers in July. If we succeed in bundling this here in future, we will have achieved a great success. It's up to us to present good products with a good strategy."

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