mein-dienstrad.de: Pedelecs benefit from the pandemic

Even though we probably all would have preferred to avoid Corona, the pandemic has also brought positive effects. To escape the often overcrowded public transport, many people have opted for bicycles, giving the already growing industry a true booster. However, despite very high demand, the industry could not surpass the previous year's record in 2021: the reason was supply chain issues. But I firmly believe that things will improve again in 2022. Material shortages, rising raw material prices, a blocked Suez Canal: 2021 did not make it easy for the global market, and the bicycle world was not spared either. The increasing demand posed challenges for manufacturers and retailers, especially with the numerous components of a bicycle. Whether brakes, saddles, or accessories – those who didn't stay on the ball often ended up empty-handed. Particularly the electronic components of an e-bike, such as semiconductors in the motor or batteries, were in short supply and showed the dependence on the Asian market.

"We are dealing with a very complex issue here that has resulted from the pandemic. Many people bought new computers and laptops while working from home. And due to the various lockdowns which made leisure activities in public spaces almost impossible, the demand for consumer electronics has also increased significantly."

First, the producers could not keep up, and then the suppliers of raw materials, who were of course also affected by the shutdown of public life. Eventually, it also hit the cyclists: the raw materials needed for e-bikes, such as copper, cobalt, or lithium, became scarce. Many companies sought alternative products, so it didn't have to be the original saddle, for example, or they contracted new suppliers. But the struggle for components was complicated, and many firms hoarded everything they could get. Often, the prices for end customers had to be raised after all. For example, plastic granulate alone became nearly 70 percent more expensive within a quarter in 2021. Rising freight costs and price increases from suppliers also impacted consumer prices. For people looking to buy a new bike, it was thus an expensive year with sometimes long waiting times.

Leasing business: Almost all wishes were fulfillable

It was quite different in the leasing sector, as our experiences in recent months have shown. Through collaboration with numerous dealers across Germany, we were able to provide almost all customers with their desired bike - even without significant waiting times. And still, people could afford an e-bike, for whom purchasing one would have been unaffordable. More and more employers are offering their employees this model, and even more self-employed individuals and freelancers are increasingly turning to it.