In the darker days of the Covid-19 pandemic and during the subsequent boom in cycle use, one of the consistent challenges for businesses has been reliable data on trends and impacts. Not just reporting sales figures, but testing the impact on employment, investment, marketing and supply chains.
And that is where Cycling Industries Europe’s (CIE) Business Impact Surveys have come into their own. The four surveys conducted since March 2020 provide an invaluable picture of how the pandemic affected the cycling industries of Europe. As CIE combines large and small manufacturing companies – as well as leaders in bike sharing and other services – it also provides a more rounded analysis than just sales statistics.
The biggest industry challenge by far is supply chain. This can even explain why companies are holding back marketing spend, because there is limited value in marketing bikes that cannot be provided. Supply chain pressures are the talk of the sector at the moment and the CIE Business Impact Survey puts values to the problem. It found that 85% of companies are experiencing problems (100% of the bicycle and accessory companies) and 86% don’t expect improvement for at least six months. Particular pressure is seen in supplies from Asia, and the problem spreads across components, raw materials and electronics.
“The CIE Covid-19 Business Impact Surveys are essential resource, and not only for companies,” said Kevin Mayne, CIE’s Chief Executive. “It has been a powerful tool for CIE to present to the European Commission and national governments, showing them that investment in cycling and cycling infrastructure flows straight through to European jobs. When we combine these surveys with wider data on cycle use and government investments, we can provide real insights into markets now and in the future.”
