UK cycling market continues sales surge

At a glance

• +8% total cycling market value growth in first 6 months of 2021 compared to “boom year” 2020
• +52% total cycling market value growth compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019
• E-bikes continue to perform strongly with 2 year growth +146%

Following an exceptional year of growth in 2020, the latest insights from the Bicycle Association (BA) Market Data Service, powered by SMS, show continued growth.   New figures indicate that, for the first 6 months of 2021, the total UK cycling market continues to show strong demand and has increased broadly in line with BA forecasts with value growth of +8% year on year (YOY).   This growth was driven by a very strong Q1 performance of +68%, annualising against a slow start in 2020, followed by an expected decline in Q2 of -18% as continued strong demand this year was offset by the sales boom which was unleashed by the first lockdown in 2020.   Comparing on a 2 year basis to a pre-pandemic 2019, both quarters showed strong value growth with Q1 +71% and Q2 +38%, evidencing a continued, strong underlying demand at +52% overall.   Simon Irons, BA Market Data Service Director, said:

“It is really encouraging that the demand for bikes, and all cycling products, remains strong a year on from the start of the pandemic. It seems clear from the data that some of the consumer behaviour changes we saw emerge last year are enduring and we are delighted that our market data service is enabling industry subscribers to understand the full picture almost within real time and adapt their businesses accordingly”.

  As expected, May and June 2021 figures saw a decline vs 2020, down -29% and -27% respectively. However, the decline was greater than forecast with the comparison to extraordinary sales in the prior year compounded by poorer weather this year, especially during May. UK temperature and sunshine were below average and, crucially, rainfall was 171% of average making it the fourth wettest May since 1862.