After a dismal few years, signs of growth in the bicycle industry are appearing as full year 2024 and first quarter 2025 results start to filter through.
As The BIN reports elsewhere, companies as diverse as Taiwan-based Merida and Ideal, Japan-based Shimano, local retailers such as Pedal Group/99Bikes, online e-commerce aggregator BikeExchange, and even national markets in the UK and Holland are showing growth. Asian OE manufacturers are reporting strong orders following the March 2025 Taipei Cycle Show.
Locally, financial statements for the full year 2024 don’t give much insight into trends emerging through the year but early indications are that the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter 2025 have seen stronger sales. Several retailers have told The BIN that stock of in-demand bike models has become difficult as the majors have held back on orders.
Thankfully the Federal Election is over, and it’s business as usual from a reasonably competent Labour Party.
The Reserve Bank delivered this year’s second 0.25% interest rate drop , effective May 21st, and major banks have promised to pass on the full reduction. The official cash rate is now at 3.8%, down 0.5% in only the last 3 months. Employment was up by 26,300 in April.
Things could be a lot worse, and while there will still be pain in store particularly for storefront retailers and likely some rationalisation in the wholesale sector, the signs of a 2025 turn-around are unmistakable.
As the old saying goes in this industry, “Make it to September and everything will be ok!”
