According to Velosuisse estimates, almost 350,000 bicycles were sold in Switzerland in 2009, an increase of 7.3 percent on the previous year. Last year's winner was the electric bike. It almost doubled its market share from 3.9 to 6.8 percent. The loser of the year may surprise some: Velosuisse estimates that mountain bikes lost 3.1 percent of their market share and now only hold 36.6 percent of the total market. According to Velosuisse, city bikes, on the other hand, have hardly suffered from the electric bike boom and have only lost 1.7 percent of the market share.

Specialist retail share falls below two thirds
However, Velosuisse sees the biggest changes in the sales channel. The share of specialist retailers in the overall market fell by a whopping 4.5 percent to 63.5 percent. The wholesalers were able to increase their market share for all types of bicycles. They made above-average gains, particularly in fully equipped everyday bikes for adults and e-bikes.

Cautious market assessment
However, the specialist bicycle trade need not panic because of this survey. Part of the statistical shift is due to the fact that Velosuisse is now basing its market statistics on a broader basis. For the first time, the association was able to draw on the figures of some major distributors, whose market power could previously only be estimated. Nevertheless, Velosuisse still remains well below the bicycle market figures determined by the Federal Customs Administration.

www.velosuisse.ch