Market/ trend: E-bikes are trending and in the fast lane nationwide: from niche leisure bikes to sporty and sustainable means of transport with a lifestyle character. Shimano, the world's leading manufacturer of bicycle components, is also represented on the e-bike market with the STEPS system. In a current survey, Shimano, together with TNS Emnid, determined the actual importance of electric bicycles and at the same time gives an outlook on the future of two-wheel drive mobility.
The survey conducted in Germany shows that every fifth German (18 percent) is convinced that e-bikes will become the most popular alternative to public transport in the future. One in ten respondents (10 percent) even believes that “Germans' favorite child” – the car – will be squeezed out of the cities in the long term. This opinion is particularly strong among city dwellers.
Richard Keeskamp, Marketing Director Shimano Europe, comments: “Electric bikes are trending. More and more Germans prefer them to alternative means of transport and leave their cars at home, for example. Germans are living more and more consciously, are rethinking their lifestyle and are embracing new nutritional trends, fitness workouts and digital applications such as fitness trackers. This also influences their mobility habits. Almost one in five (18 percent) named e-bikes as the most popular alternative to local transport. No wonder: especially in city traffic, they perform well in a mobility comparison and are often the fastest means of transport.”
Shimano is also taking this trend into account: At 3,1 kilograms, the Shimano STEPS e-bike system has one of the lightest drive systems on the market and offers a range of up to 125 kilometers in Eco mode.
Germans prefer e-bikes to public transport
Almost five out of ten respondents (46 percent) prefer e-bikes to public transport. Here, too, the potential to change urban mobility is evident: almost every fifth person appreciates driving without traffic jams (18 percent). This is particularly the case in Berlin and Brandenburg (25 percent). “In addition, you not only get to your destination faster on an e-bike, but you are also not locked into overcrowded buses and trains. Electric bikes stand for personal freedom and are an important component of modern mobility,” explains Keeskamp. The figures show that the independence of timetables is the strongest argument for almost a third (27 percent). Almost one in five (18 percent) prefers to cycle during the week and would also ride it to work.
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According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, around 44,4 million cars are registered in Germany. The Shimano survey found that five percent have already exchanged their car for an electric bike. This corresponds to a share of 2,2 million vehicles. Incidentally, one in ten (10%) believes that e-bikes will replace cars in cities - this would mean that there would be around 4,4 million fewer vehicles on the road in urban regions. “Extrapolated to the fuel consumption and unavoidable emissions, this would not only be a significant relief for the environment. This would also bring about a noticeable, positive change in terms of mobility in urban areas,” says Keeskamp. The topics of environment and sustainability are often mentioned in connection with e-bikes: more than one in ten (12 percent) sees e-bikes as a personal commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility.
E-bikes: what drives the Germans
Almost every third respondent (29 percent) simply finds e-bikes comfortable. Fatigue-free mobility is particularly popular, as every second person confirms (49 percent). So it is not surprising that 38 percent of those surveyed would use the e-bike in their free time or at the weekend. A third of those surveyed (33 percent) appreciate the advantage of being able to maintain a constant cruising speed despite a headwind and challenging altitude profile. 27 percent cite positive effects on health: the fresh air when cycling inspires almost every third person. Northern Germans in particular enjoy the stiff breeze (35 percent in Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein). E-biking as a daily fitness and exercise program: This is particularly appreciated by people from Baden-Württemberg (27 percent), who are above the average of 23 percent.
Trend e-bike - not a flash in the pan and not just for seniors
Men in particular are enthusiastic about e-bike technology: 15 percent can imagine buying such a motor-driven two-wheeler in the next year. The two age groups between 45 and 54 (17 percent) and 55 to 64 years (16 percent) are clearly ahead. On average, 12 percent of men and women are considering buying an electric bike in the next year. When asked about the expectations of future systems, more than half (58 percent) named a higher battery capacity. A third of those surveyed expect a lower weight, and more than one in five assumes an increase in performance of the e-bikes (23 percent).
About the Study
This online survey was conducted by TNS Emnid on behalf of Shimano STEPS. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from this survey. A total of 1049 German Internet users aged between 16 and 64 were surveyed. Therefore, this survey is representative of internet users.
About Shimano
Over the past 90 years, Shimano has established itself as the world's leading manufacturer of bicycle components thanks to its innovative strength and reliability. In 1921 "Shimano Iron Works" was founded by Shozaburo Shimano. Production started with freewheels for bicycles. Within a decade, a quantity of 30.000 single-speed freewheels per year was reached. Shimano has stood for quality right from the start, including the guarantee that defective parts will be replaced twice with new ones. In addition to the headquarters in Osaka, Japan, Shimano has 24 other locations in 17 countries worldwide. In addition to bicycle components, Shimano also produces products for fishing and rowing.
About Shimano STEPS
Decades of experience and bicycle expertise from Shimano flow together in the STEPS group in an optimally coordinated system consisting of a drive unit, DI2 hub gears, battery, crankset, shifters and bike computer. Thanks to the electronics integrated into the drive unit, the Shimano STEPS group can even cope with rain showers without any problems.
The update planned for 2016 transforms the semi-automatic gearshift into an even more comfortable automatic gearshift without the need for complicated conversions. A short stop at the bike dealer is enough and the update for increased e-bike enjoyment is loaded directly via USB.
Visit for more information www.shimano.com.