One of the world’s biggest bicycle companies has seen electric bike sales rocket 23 per cent in a year while sales of traditional bikes have faltered.
The Accell Group, the Dutch company which owns brands such as Koga, Lapierre and Ghost reported a 23 per cent increase in turnover in 2012, largely assisted by the acquisition of Raleigh.
However René Takens, Accell Group CEO, blamed poor consumer confidence in the European economy for curbing sales of regular pedal-powered bikes.
In a statement on the company’s results released last week he said, “In 2012, bicycle sales in a number of European countries, including the Netherlands, came under pressure as a result of reduced consumer spending and the fact that consumers postponed purchases of durable goods, including bicycles.”
However, motor-assisted models from brands such as Currie Technologies and Staiger continued to gain popularity and E-bike sales now account for 32 per cent of Accell’s turnover of more than €770m (£.675m).
Interbike, North America’s largest cycle trade show launched a dedicated E-bike event last year to help grow the market in the US.
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