Good reasons to join the ZIV
The ZIV is the national interest group for the German and international bicycle industry – including importers and wholesalers as well as established companies and start-ups from the entire bicycle ecosystem.
As an industry association, the ZIV brings together and represents the interests of around 120 member companies vis-à-vis lawmakers in the EU and Germany, the German government, authorities, media, institutions and organisations. 90% of the bicycles and e-bikes that were produced in Germany in 2022 came from ZIV member companies.
As an industry association, the ZIV brings together and represents the interests of around 120 member companies vis-à-vis lawmakers in the EU and Germany, the German government, authorities, media, institutions and organisations. 90% of the bicycles and e-bikes that were produced in Germany in 2022 came from ZIV member companies.
We work every day to ensure that the bicycle industry is doing well.Join the ZIV and help make our common voice louder. There are many good reasons to become a member:Burkhard Stork | Managing Director, ZIV
Representation
Through your membership of the ZIV, your interests are also represented at decision-making levels that are not available to you as an individual company. The ZIV works on behalf of the German bicycle industry in an ongoing exchange with the government, we have vital connections through close network contacts with the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Transport and all other departments relevant to our concerns, both at political level (up to ministerial level) and in the administration.
The ZIV does not only represent your company’s interests on the federal level, though, but also on the federal state and European levels as a member of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI). In the political dialogue within Germany (on the legislative, executive and administrative levels), the ZIV ensures the most favourable positioning for all aspects relating to bicycles and e-bikes.
We are involved in important bodies and committees, some of which we chair. If additional specialist requirements arise in the context of a task that we cannot cover ourselves with our experienced team, we are reinforced by the best external experts and partners for the respective specialist area (e.g. sustainability reporting obligations).
The ZIV does not only represent your company’s interests on the federal level, though, but also on the federal state and European levels as a member of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI). In the political dialogue within Germany (on the legislative, executive and administrative levels), the ZIV ensures the most favourable positioning for all aspects relating to bicycles and e-bikes.
We are involved in important bodies and committees, some of which we chair. If additional specialist requirements arise in the context of a task that we cannot cover ourselves with our experienced team, we are reinforced by the best external experts and partners for the respective specialist area (e.g. sustainability reporting obligations).
Technology and standardisation
The safety of your products is of utmost importance to us. Hence the ZIV’s commitment to safety-related standardisation on the German (DIN), European (CEN) and international (ISO) levels forms a central part of our work. These days, European and international standards exist for almost all bicycle-related products, ensuring a reliable basis for production and sales for all involved parties.
The ZIV chairs or is involved in countless technical committees. The technical developments and market success of e-bikes contribute a strong additional dynamic: special working groups help advance the key topics – from standardisation and risk analysas to the disposal of batteries and transport of hazardous goods.
The ZIV chairs or is involved in countless technical committees. The technical developments and market success of e-bikes contribute a strong additional dynamic: special working groups help advance the key topics – from standardisation and risk analysas to the disposal of batteries and transport of hazardous goods.
ZIV market data
Accurate, timely and detailed market data improves decision-making for ZIV members of all sizes – from start-ups to multinationals. For more than 50 years now, the ZIV has published the economic figures for the German bicycle industry. The ZIV market data is the central source for surveys, monitoring and analyses of developments within the industry and also provides outlooks on trends and the future of the market.
Services and exchange
Monitoring and advance warnings
The ZIV is well positioned to look ahead and assess opportunities and risks for the industry: examples include our early work on battery regulation and our leading involvement in developing the foundations for sustainability reporting for our industry (including sustainability guidelines and materiality analysis).
Communication and mediation
For antitrust reasons, the ZIV cannot get involved in business matters between members. We can, however, act as a neutral party to facilitate an exchange or discussion, or help you to reach a consensus on matters affecting the industry as appropriate.
Networking and exchange
Personal exchanges, both online and in person, provide an important basis for effective association work and are another key benefit for our members. We meet once a year for the ZIV annual conference and general meeting; there are also countless other working groups and event formats – on the C-level and working level. These meetings are a welcome opportunity to meet like-minded people and socialise in a non-competitive setting.
The ZIV is well positioned to look ahead and assess opportunities and risks for the industry: examples include our early work on battery regulation and our leading involvement in developing the foundations for sustainability reporting for our industry (including sustainability guidelines and materiality analysis).
Communication and mediation
For antitrust reasons, the ZIV cannot get involved in business matters between members. We can, however, act as a neutral party to facilitate an exchange or discussion, or help you to reach a consensus on matters affecting the industry as appropriate.
Networking and exchange
Personal exchanges, both online and in person, provide an important basis for effective association work and are another key benefit for our members. We meet once a year for the ZIV annual conference and general meeting; there are also countless other working groups and event formats – on the C-level and working level. These meetings are a welcome opportunity to meet like-minded people and socialise in a non-competitive setting.
Interested? Need more information?
Jule Stoll is on hand to assist should you have any questions or wish to learn more about the benefits and conditions of ZIV membership.