Quotes from partners and supporters
Press Conference – World’s Leading Trade Fair | 22.06.2026
Koelnmesse GmbH and ZIV – German Bicycle Industry
Koelnmesse GmbH and ZIV – German Bicycle Industry
Koelnmesse
Oliver Frese | Chief Operating Officer, Koelnmesse GmbH
«Cologne is the ideal location for this new leading trade fair. Thanks to our experience, innovative power and modern infrastructure, Koelnmesse naturally offers the very best conditions for an international B2B event. But another crucial factor is that markets come to life in Cologne. Situated at the very heart of Europe, Cologne is a city with excellent international connections, high media visibility and an ability to inspire enthusiasm that is a perfect fit for an industry that itself stands for movement.»
«Cologne is the ideal location for this new leading trade fair. Thanks to our experience, innovative power and modern infrastructure, Koelnmesse naturally offers the very best conditions for an international B2B event. But another crucial factor is that markets come to life in Cologne. Situated at the very heart of Europe, Cologne is a city with excellent international connections, high media visibility and an ability to inspire enthusiasm that is a perfect fit for an industry that itself stands for movement.»
ZIV – German Bicycle Industry
Bernhard Lange | Presidium member, ZIV | CEO, Paul Lange GmbH & Co. KG
«The ZIV member companies, together with the German and international bicycle industries, the retail sector and service providers, expressed almost unanimously the need for a global leading trade fair for the industry and that this should take place in Germany, which is widely considered one of the world’s leading bicycle markets. The industry associations are actively addressing this wish and expectation and I am confident that we will create precisely the right format for this with towards tomorrow.»
Burkhard Stork | CEO, ZIV – German Bicycle Industry
«towards tomorrow reflects precisely the network that defines the global bicycle industry today – from the German retail sector to European and international players. The new trade fair will also help restore a sense of community spirit. This unique drive within the industry and the partnerships that develop from it are what make us strong together. In short: a trade fair that doesn’t simply follow the market, but leads the way. I’m looking forward to it!»
«The ZIV member companies, together with the German and international bicycle industries, the retail sector and service providers, expressed almost unanimously the need for a global leading trade fair for the industry and that this should take place in Germany, which is widely considered one of the world’s leading bicycle markets. The industry associations are actively addressing this wish and expectation and I am confident that we will create precisely the right format for this with towards tomorrow.»
Burkhard Stork | CEO, ZIV – German Bicycle Industry
«towards tomorrow reflects precisely the network that defines the global bicycle industry today – from the German retail sector to European and international players. The new trade fair will also help restore a sense of community spirit. This unique drive within the industry and the partnerships that develop from it are what make us strong together. In short: a trade fair that doesn’t simply follow the market, but leads the way. I’m looking forward to it!»
Politics
Mona Neubaur | Deputy Minister-President and Minister for Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia
(Quote to follow after the press conference)
Torsten Burmester | Lord Mayor, City of Cologne
«As an international trade fair metropolis, a millennia-old economic centre and a modern city of mobility, Cologne offers the ideal conditions to become a central hub for the bicycle industry. For hardly any other industry embraces innovation, urban mobility and economic dynamism as intuitively and creatively as the bicycle and e-bike industry. (…) The bicycle industry’s decision to host this event in Cologne is far more than just the choice of a location. It will create a new, international anchor point for the bicycle industry in Cologne, with a reach that extends far beyond Germany. Cologne brings people and markets – and now once again also mobility – together. This is precisely why this forward-looking project is such a good fit for our city. This new international platform will also generate significant momentum for the local economy, urban development, international visibility and urban quality of life. Cologne is set to become an even more prominent showcase of modern mobility. I am delighted that the world of cycling will in future come together in Cologne.»
(Quote to follow after the press conference)
Torsten Burmester | Lord Mayor, City of Cologne
«As an international trade fair metropolis, a millennia-old economic centre and a modern city of mobility, Cologne offers the ideal conditions to become a central hub for the bicycle industry. For hardly any other industry embraces innovation, urban mobility and economic dynamism as intuitively and creatively as the bicycle and e-bike industry. (…) The bicycle industry’s decision to host this event in Cologne is far more than just the choice of a location. It will create a new, international anchor point for the bicycle industry in Cologne, with a reach that extends far beyond Germany. Cologne brings people and markets – and now once again also mobility – together. This is precisely why this forward-looking project is such a good fit for our city. This new international platform will also generate significant momentum for the local economy, urban development, international visibility and urban quality of life. Cologne is set to become an even more prominent showcase of modern mobility. I am delighted that the world of cycling will in future come together in Cologne.»
Retail associations
Georg Wagner | Managing Director, BICO Zweirad Marketing GmbH
«The close cooperation between the purchasing associations on an equal footing, coupled with the coordination with the ZIV, represents a historic opportunity for the bicycle industry and this is exactly what the market is currently – rightly – expecting. Hence we will work together to develop a pragmatic solution for 2027 that enables visitors and exhibitors as well as the BICO to participate in both the organisation and timing of these two trade fair formats.»
Fred Schierenbeck | CEO/CSO, ZEG Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft eG
«We are first looking forward to our ZEG Bike Show, which will take place here in Cologne in around four weeks’ time. At the same time, we are looking forward with great anticipation and optimism to the new leading trade fair, which will also be held in Cologne from 2027. The ZEG will have a presence there and wholeheartedly welcomes this collaboration within the industry. A strong joint B2B platform has the potential to become a real driving force for the entire industry. We look forward to actively helping to shape this new path and to driving the future of the bicycle market together with the other associations.»
Uwe Wöll | Managing Director, VSF – Verbund Service und Fahrrad
«We are delighted that a fresh start is being made with the involvement of the retail associations. It is crucial for our retailers to have a clear overview of the German, European and global markets. If we can successfully generate significant media attention for the event together, then this will benefit the entire bicycle industry. Count us in!»
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«The close cooperation between the purchasing associations on an equal footing, coupled with the coordination with the ZIV, represents a historic opportunity for the bicycle industry and this is exactly what the market is currently – rightly – expecting. Hence we will work together to develop a pragmatic solution for 2027 that enables visitors and exhibitors as well as the BICO to participate in both the organisation and timing of these two trade fair formats.»
Fred Schierenbeck | CEO/CSO, ZEG Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft eG
«We are first looking forward to our ZEG Bike Show, which will take place here in Cologne in around four weeks’ time. At the same time, we are looking forward with great anticipation and optimism to the new leading trade fair, which will also be held in Cologne from 2027. The ZEG will have a presence there and wholeheartedly welcomes this collaboration within the industry. A strong joint B2B platform has the potential to become a real driving force for the entire industry. We look forward to actively helping to shape this new path and to driving the future of the bicycle market together with the other associations.»
Uwe Wöll | Managing Director, VSF – Verbund Service und Fahrrad
«We are delighted that a fresh start is being made with the involvement of the retail associations. It is crucial for our retailers to have a clear overview of the German, European and global markets. If we can successfully generate significant media attention for the event together, then this will benefit the entire bicycle industry. Count us in!»
Return to press release »