E-bike boom in Bad Tölz: Dealers are fighting against market saturation!

E-bike boom in Bad Tölz: Dealers are fighting against market saturation!

E-bikes are enjoying ever-growing popularity in Bad Tölz and beyond. Electric bikes are particularly popular among younger people. According to a current survey by Eon, 28% of Germans already own an e-bike, and in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen region the figure is even 36.2% . But despite these positive figures, the sales boom of recent years can no longer be sustained. While demand exploded in 2022 and 2023, it has now stabilized and is showing signs of market saturation. Peter Riedelsheimer, an experienced bicycle dealer in Bad Tölz, reports a balanced sales ratio between e-bikes and traditional bicycles - around 50:50.

More and more people are using e-bikes not only for leisure activities, but also as a replacement for a second car. Marco Schreiber, from “Radl Rasti” in Lenggries, emphasizes that the market is increasingly saturated and many new purchases are being replaced by leasing bikes. Smaller dealers founded during the pandemic are now feeling the economic pressure, while Alexander Völker from “Völkers Bikeshop” speaks of a “crisis after the crisis” due to overorders during the boom years.

Economic pressure and market development

Traders complain about overcrowded warehouses and falling prices, which is leading to high economic pressure. Selling high-priced e-bikes – between 5,000 and 6,000 euros – is significantly more advantageous for most retailers than selling conventional bikes. E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular among broad sections of the population, including retirees and young people, who often purchase several e-bikes per family.

With a market estimated to be worth approximately $17.5 billion by 2024, the European e-bike sector remains a significant growth market. Forecasts show annual growth of 3.8% until 2034. This growth is being driven by growing environmental awareness, government incentives for environmentally friendly means of transport and technical advances in the e-bike sector. In addition, electromobility is becoming increasingly popular as a low-emission, energy-efficient solution for urban commuting.

The role of technology and trends

The advanced technology not only improves the functionality of e-bikes, but also makes them more attractive for various users. The most popular models are currently class 1 bicycles, which have a market share of 61%. Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market and offer numerous advantages such as long life and compact size. Popular uses include commuting and leisure activities, which makes the sporty version of e-bikes, the mountain and trekking models, particularly interesting.

In the coming years, support from e-commerce and logistics companies using e-bikes for urban deliveries will also increase, encouraged by policy and investment in bicycle infrastructure. The EU proposal to recognize cycling as a sustainable form of mobility reinforces this trend.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the future of the e-bike market in Germany and especially in Bad Tölz remains exciting. Retailers must reorient themselves and find creative solutions in order to position themselves successfully in a changing market.