Vorarlberg bike shops shift focus as e-bike market saturates

Bike riding has become a year-round activity in Vorarlberg, while demand for new e-bikes has eased as the market reaches saturation, bicycle retailers’ spokesperson Thomas Kofler told ORF. Shops are adapting by focusing more on repairs and other types of bikes.

The warm, dry summer made for a strong season for local bike shops, Kofler said. Mild winters have also helped make cycling a year-round pursuit. In autumn, customers are looking to adapt their bikes, including for gravel riding or everyday use.

Kofler expects e-bike demand to rise again in spring. Many people now view their e-bike as a second car, he said. Repair work and workshop services are increasing, and workshops in Vorarlberg are well equipped and trained, he added.

The second-hand e-bike market is also growing, although sales are mostly handled privately. It can be harder for retailers to sell used e-bikes because of warranty issues, Kofler said. He said shops must keep monitoring the market and respond to changing trends.