Germany’s bicycle and e-bike sector is beginning to recover after several difficult years marked by weak sell-through and excess inventory. According to the German industry association ZIV, e-bike production increased by more than 4% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, while e-bike sales rose by around 2%.
The broader bicycle market improved more strongly: overall bicycle production grew 6%, sales were up almost 10%, and exports of bicycles and e-bikes increased by more than 6%. ZIV also said that surplus inventory has largely been reduced, although retailers remain cautious when placing new orders.
For suppliers, the key signal is inventory normalization. The market is not back to pandemic-era growth, but lower channel stock should make fresh model-year purchasing easier. Strong workshop demand also supports parts and accessories sales.
Key Business Takeaways· Germany appears to be moving out of the post-boom inventory correction phase.· E-bike sales growth is still modest, so buyers are likely to remain price- and specification-sensitive.