Bicycle trade fair: Cyclingworld attracts 23,000 bicycle enthusiasts to Düsseldorf

Last weekend, the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf opened its doors and gates to around 23,000 cycling enthusiasts. In addition to around 400 brands, visitors were able to test countless bikes, take part in rides, experience cycling history, meet well-known voices and faces from cycling blogs, podcasts and YouTube in person and much more. With beaming faces, it was back home or to the hotel in the evening.

The exhibitors and brands

The exhibitors were similarly satisfied with the attendance at Cyclingworld, as Daniel Djuhanda from Trelock Marketing confirms: "Alongside Eurobike, Cyclingworld has become the most important trade fair for Trelock. As a manufacturer, it offers us the opportunity to present our brand in the best possible way and to engage in direct dialogue with end customers - in a top location." Industry giants such as Riese & Müller or e-bike specialist Coboc from Heidelberg and awsum as a dealer for fine bicycle culture in Düsseldorf drew a similar conclusion. There was also a great deal of enthusiasm from the public, with one Düsseldorf family saying: "Dad rides a racing bike, but actually all four of us ride bikes too. That's why we wanted to come and see it last year and now we're here again. It's cool that there's something for all of us to look at and try out."

And there was plenty on offer: "With 283 exhibitors and over 400 brands, we were almost fully booked in advance. Some of them have been loyal to us for years, but we are delighted that we were also able to present many new brands and exhibitors. With increased floor space, special exhibitions, an extra children's hall and a comprehensive supporting programme, Cyclingworld was more varied than ever," emphasised Torsten Abels, Project Manager of the trade fair.

Voices of the exhibitors

Many exhibitors I have spoken to are enthusiastic about Cyclingworld. Of course, the trade fair is early in the year, so there are few new products to discover. Hopefully there will be new products at Eurobike - but its earlier timing is a challenge for many manufacturers. Back to Düsseldorf. There are many reasons for the exhibitors' enthusiasm:

• The timing is good, so the trade fair is a good start to the season.
• The location, i.e. the Areal Böhler, offers a wonderful atmosphere.
• The region in which the trade fair takes place is ideal. A catchment area of around 100 kilometres is assumed, which includes the region's high population density. Part of the Netherlands is also included.

"The timing is great for us; we are tapping into a new catchment area with the region. There is a broad spectrum of people among the visitors," says Michael Kull, Managing Director at Raccoon Media, on site for Beast Components - carbon components made in Germany.

>> Eurobike: How well was the premiere in Frankfurt received?

It's really worth it ...

In conversation with Katharina Friedl, Marketing Manager at Ortlieb, she enthuses: "It's really worthwhile being here. Lots of people come by, have questions and get to know our products." There was also a hands-on activity at the bag specialist's stand; key rings could be made from offcuts. The offer was used diligently.

The visitors

The fifth Cyclingworld Europe ended on Sunday with a record number of around 23,000 visitors and a total of around 6,000 registered test rides, 30 per cent more than in previous years. The bicycle trade fair traditionally took place in and around the impressive industrial halls at the Areal Böhler. This is the first time that Europe's most important public trade fair in the bicycle sector has topped the 2019 level, when almost 20,000 visitors were registered. "The success of this year's Cyclingworld Europe naturally makes us very proud and also gives us a tailwind for future events. Even though the weather was rather mediocre, many guests from the industry, some of them international, came to us. This is almost more important than the record numbers, because it reflects the growing importance of the trade fair as a trend mirror for the cycling season, both for end consumers and in the professional world," says Stefan Maly, Managing Director and initiator of Cyclingworld Europe.

Cyclingworld had a varied supporting programme to offer

The supporting programme was just as colourful as the exhibitors represented. Unfortunately, not everyone was aware that there was such a programme at all. The organisers of Cyclingworld will certainly think about how this can be more present next year. At the Fixed Gear Crit on Saturday evening, for example, most of the visitors had already left and the audience consisted mainly of exhibitors and the press.

In any case, it is worth studying the programme in advance.

Cyclingworld Award

Around 50,000 bike enthusiasts cast their votes online for the public award, which was ultimately presented in six categories. The e-bike award went to Advanced with the "Reco One Diamant" model. Inga Beckmann and Annalena Müller are delighted: "We are delighted that we were able to present our new Reco product as a brand to drive progress towards sustainable mobility. It's fantastic that our e-bike with a recyclable frame has also won the Cyclingworld Award in the Best E-Bike category! The Areal Böhler gives Cyclingworld its unique charm and Advanced is already looking forward to being an exhibitor again in the coming years."

The Cargo Bike Award was presented to Bullitt for the "X" model, the Race Bike Award went to Bianchi with the "Oltre", while the Urban Bike Award was reserved for the Belgian start-up BZEN with the "London" model and the Technology Award went to JOYNEXT with the "JOYNEXT App". Last but not least, Wetterpelle was honoured with the Cyclingworld Design Award for its sleeping bag "Schlupfsack LUV".

You could get active yourself on various excursions

There were also various rides in the supporting programme, including with The Gravel Club and the Schicken Mütze. I from the TOUR editorial team also joined one of these rides. Friday at 4.30 p.m. I gravelled around 50 kilometres at a relaxed pace and then rounded off the evening at the recently opened bike fair. Or so I thought. The reality was somewhat different. >> Through snow and storms with the Gravel Club

Overall, the rides offered as part of Cyclingworld in Düsseldorf were very well received. Almost all rides were fully booked.

Still riding the wave of euphoria from the trade fair, Sascha Eulig, the mastermind behind the Gravel Club, describes his impression of the bike fair in Düsseldorf:

I am very impressed with how Cyclingworld Europe has developed. Gravel bikes were clearly a star of the show, and not just for me. Whether at the test rides, the gravel rides on offer or at pretty much every stand in the Cyclingworld halls. Our Gravel Club coffee bar also celebrated its premiere here at the CW this year, and it was fantastic. We have already secured our place for 2024.

Life is a Ride-Crit - A race without brakes, gears and freewheel

In a fixed-gear crit, participants ride bikes without freewheels, gears or brakes on a more or less winding course. A specified number of laps must be completed. At Cyclingworld, 40 laps had to be completed. Anyone who was lapped had to finish after 35 laps.

Cyclingworld Europe 2024

After the trade fair is before the trade fair. Next year, Cyclingworld Europe will take place in Düsseldorf from 15 to 17 March. Make a note of the date in your diary.

If you don't want to wait that long, come to Kolektif in Berlin or Eurobike in Frankfurt:

• Kolektif 24 to 26 March
• Eurobike Festival Days 24 and 25 June