
Overview | ZIV positions
See here for details of the ZIV’s positions and background papers on political, economic and technical developments in the bicycle industry. As a strong voice for our member companies, we thus contribute to the debates on important current and fundamental topics that are relevant to the entire bicycle ecosystem.
Impetus for the 21st legislative period
Bicycles and e-bikes «made in Germany» – impetus for the 21st legislative period
The bicycle industry is a historic tradition in Germany and harbours vast potential for the future: we were and are pioneers in numerous developments – for instance, as the leading vehicle industry in this country with the largest fleet of electric vehicles. In 2023, the value of bicycles and e-bikes sold in Germany totalled more than €7 billion. At the same time, the bicycle industry provides secure employment for more than 350,000 people in Germany. Planable, attractive political and regulatory framework conditions are needed for Germany to remain a hub for cycling in the long term and to advance the bicycle industry as an industry of the future.
Online + download »
The bicycle industry is a historic tradition in Germany and harbours vast potential for the future: we were and are pioneers in numerous developments – for instance, as the leading vehicle industry in this country with the largest fleet of electric vehicles. In 2023, the value of bicycles and e-bikes sold in Germany totalled more than €7 billion. At the same time, the bicycle industry provides secure employment for more than 350,000 people in Germany. Planable, attractive political and regulatory framework conditions are needed for Germany to remain a hub for cycling in the long term and to advance the bicycle industry as an industry of the future.
Online + download »
Technology and standardisation
Standardised charging system for e-bikes (ZIV position)
Can a standardised charging system for e-bikes meet the goals set for sustainability and consumer friendliness? Some standardisation efforts may have potential – take public charging stations, for instance. However, the focus remains on battery safety and innovation in a dynamic market, whereby blanket regulation for private charging is not believed to be necessary.
Online + download »
E-bike tuning (ZIV position)
Providers of tuning kits for e-bikes promise to boost the motor assistance beyond the legal limit of 25 km/h for very little money. Together with manufacturers, trade associations and experts, the ZIV has been campaigning for years on both the national and European levels to prevent tuning and raise awareness among consumers of the risks and legal consequences.
Online + download »
Can a standardised charging system for e-bikes meet the goals set for sustainability and consumer friendliness? Some standardisation efforts may have potential – take public charging stations, for instance. However, the focus remains on battery safety and innovation in a dynamic market, whereby blanket regulation for private charging is not believed to be necessary.
Online + download »
E-bike tuning (ZIV position)
Providers of tuning kits for e-bikes promise to boost the motor assistance beyond the legal limit of 25 km/h for very little money. Together with manufacturers, trade associations and experts, the ZIV has been campaigning for years on both the national and European levels to prevent tuning and raise awareness among consumers of the risks and legal consequences.
Online + download »
Transport
Everyday journey length reveals cycling’s potential (ZIV background)
Can bicycles play a decisive role as a primary mode of transport? Aren’t too many journeys simply too long for that? Bicycles and e-bikes have great potential when it comes to the mobility of the future. They help to reduce the burden on road traffic and the environment and also promote a healthy lifestyle. Seventy-five percent of people in Germany already cycle during their leisure time. If the average journey distances are considered, the potential of bicycles and e-bikes in everyday transport is even greater. In future, they could become the main mode of transport as most journeys are actually short.
Online + download »
Single-bicycle accidents (ZIV background)
The conditions for cyclists are anything but ideal: they are endangered by poor infrastructure and brought down by tree roots, kerbs and tram tracks. Local authorities have a duty to plan, build and, above all, maintain cycle paths properly. Even when the conditions are ideal, all road users must adjust their driving behaviour to the situation. Cyclists must protect themselves by adapting their riding style.
Online + download »
Can bicycles play a decisive role as a primary mode of transport? Aren’t too many journeys simply too long for that? Bicycles and e-bikes have great potential when it comes to the mobility of the future. They help to reduce the burden on road traffic and the environment and also promote a healthy lifestyle. Seventy-five percent of people in Germany already cycle during their leisure time. If the average journey distances are considered, the potential of bicycles and e-bikes in everyday transport is even greater. In future, they could become the main mode of transport as most journeys are actually short.
Online + download »
Single-bicycle accidents (ZIV background)
The conditions for cyclists are anything but ideal: they are endangered by poor infrastructure and brought down by tree roots, kerbs and tram tracks. Local authorities have a duty to plan, build and, above all, maintain cycle paths properly. Even when the conditions are ideal, all road users must adjust their driving behaviour to the situation. Cyclists must protect themselves by adapting their riding style.
Online + download »
Business
Bicycle and e-bike sales to remain stable in the long run (ZIV background)
An incredible boom? Unprecedented sales? A rapid slump? Crises like we’ve never seen before? The headlines about the bicycle market are always full of superlatives and have recently tended to focus on the allegedly particularly negative market developments. A realistic, long-term review of the actual figures for the bicycle industry and market tell a different story, though – both in terms of the units produced and the revenue.
Online + download »
Bicycles «made in Germany» (ZIV backgound)
The German bicycle industry fuses tradition and innovation. Once Germany’s first vehicle industry, it is now a leading market for new developments and an important production location.
Online + download »
An incredible boom? Unprecedented sales? A rapid slump? Crises like we’ve never seen before? The headlines about the bicycle market are always full of superlatives and have recently tended to focus on the allegedly particularly negative market developments. A realistic, long-term review of the actual figures for the bicycle industry and market tell a different story, though – both in terms of the units produced and the revenue.
Online + download »
Bicycles «made in Germany» (ZIV backgound)
The German bicycle industry fuses tradition and innovation. Once Germany’s first vehicle industry, it is now a leading market for new developments and an important production location.
Online + download »
Sport | Leisure | Tourism
Free right of access to forests (ZIV position)
Cycling is one of the most popular recreational activities in Germany. Around 80 percent of households own one or more bicycles that they use regularly and over 16 million people in Germany enjoy mountain biking. That makes cycling in nature more popular than the nation’s favourite sport, football.
Online + download »
Consider cycle tourism and everyday cycling together (ZIV position)
Cycle tourism remains hugely popular in Germany. Indeed, it accounts for around 10 percent of revenue in the German tourism industry and is one of the most important segments with high growth potential. Expanding and promoting cycle tourism not only provides a boost in rural and economically weak areas, but also supports regional economic growth and promotes sustainable travel.
Online + download »
Cycling to promote health and prevent illness (ZIV position)
For years, health experts have been drawing attention to the existence and effects of increasing levels of physical inactivity among society. Both physical inactivity and the number of overweight people have increased significantly and the problem is only getting worse. It is leading to lower life expectancy, a constantly increasing disease burden for countries and potentially also a financial strain on the social welfare system in the future.
Online + download »
Cycling is one of the most popular recreational activities in Germany. Around 80 percent of households own one or more bicycles that they use regularly and over 16 million people in Germany enjoy mountain biking. That makes cycling in nature more popular than the nation’s favourite sport, football.
Online + download »
Consider cycle tourism and everyday cycling together (ZIV position)
Cycle tourism remains hugely popular in Germany. Indeed, it accounts for around 10 percent of revenue in the German tourism industry and is one of the most important segments with high growth potential. Expanding and promoting cycle tourism not only provides a boost in rural and economically weak areas, but also supports regional economic growth and promotes sustainable travel.
Online + download »
Cycling to promote health and prevent illness (ZIV position)
For years, health experts have been drawing attention to the existence and effects of increasing levels of physical inactivity among society. Both physical inactivity and the number of overweight people have increased significantly and the problem is only getting worse. It is leading to lower life expectancy, a constantly increasing disease burden for countries and potentially also a financial strain on the social welfare system in the future.
Online + download »