ZIV at the Eurobike 2025: digitalisation key to the future of the bicycle industry
From 25 to 29 June 2025, Frankfurt am Main once again became the meeting place of the global cycling industry. This year’s Eurobike trade fair brought together trade visitors, industry reps and bicycle enthusiasts from around the world and, as in every year, the ZIV had a prominent presence. This time, the ZIV stand focused on the topic of digitalisation, addressing this in a variety of formats. International networking also took centre stage in the ZIV’s trade fair presence.
Raising awareness for the bicycle industry
The ZIV once again presented its activities at Stand J07 in Hall 8, the trade fair’s association area located just behind the large Pink and Yellow stages. It was joined by its European partner organisations – the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and Cycling Industries Europe (CIE). The Digitize Bike Business Group GmbH (DiBike), a joint initiative of the ZIV and the Verbund Service Fahrrad (VSF) to drive digitalisation in the bicycle industry was also present at the stand. The trade fair stand was thus a central meeting place for all those involved in digital transformation of the bicycle industry – from intelligent networking and cybersecurity to the use of real-time market data in production and sales.
Together with other associations, the ZIV presented its latest data on the state of the bicycle market in the first quarter of 2025 on Tuesday morning, during the Eurobike Media Kick-Off. ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork subsequently gave statements to press agencies and editorial offices on the economic situation in the bicycle market for articles and interviews. Media interest in the industry the ZIV represents remains very high, even in the current times.
Together with other associations, the ZIV presented its latest data on the state of the bicycle market in the first quarter of 2025 on Tuesday morning, during the Eurobike Media Kick-Off. ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork subsequently gave statements to press agencies and editorial offices on the economic situation in the bicycle market for articles and interviews. Media interest in the industry the ZIV represents remains very high, even in the current times.
Digitalisation a top priority
One central topic at the Eurobike was further development of the industry’s digital infrastructure.
Among others, the ZIV presented its planned Market Data Service (MDS) , which will provide monthly point-of-sale data for the first time in addition to production data. With this, the association has taken a important step towards the data-driven, market-oriented management of goods flows and business decisions while further expanding its own market data.
With the establishment of DiBike, the ZIV and VSF are moreover driving further development of the Veloconnect industry standard and the establishment of an industry-wide data ecosystem. These initiatives aim to take digital collaboration between manufacturers, retailers and service providers to a new level. An agreement was also announced at the trade fair: the BIDEX standard is to become part of DiBike. The newly convened industry-wide digitalisation network (Netzwerk Digitalisierung) also presented its current and planned activities at events as well as directly at the ZIV’s trade fair stand.
The ZIV was actively involved in countless events during the Eurobike. During numerous panels and specialist presentations ZIV representatives discussed at great length key digitalisation topics, cycle tourism and political, technical and regulatory developments in the industry. Particularly the role of bicycles as a recognised contributor to sustainable, digital future mobility was emphasised. During the events on «Cycling as a Recognised Global Mobility Industry» and «Mapping the Market: Indexes and Insights for the Industry», ZIV representatives highlighted the economic and social potential of a digitally networked bicycle industry. The ZIV used these events to share its knowledge, contribute new impetus to the industry, emphasise the importance of data-based decisions for the entire industry and draw attention to the association’s own activities.
Among others, the ZIV presented its planned Market Data Service (MDS) , which will provide monthly point-of-sale data for the first time in addition to production data. With this, the association has taken a important step towards the data-driven, market-oriented management of goods flows and business decisions while further expanding its own market data.
With the establishment of DiBike, the ZIV and VSF are moreover driving further development of the Veloconnect industry standard and the establishment of an industry-wide data ecosystem. These initiatives aim to take digital collaboration between manufacturers, retailers and service providers to a new level. An agreement was also announced at the trade fair: the BIDEX standard is to become part of DiBike. The newly convened industry-wide digitalisation network (Netzwerk Digitalisierung) also presented its current and planned activities at events as well as directly at the ZIV’s trade fair stand.
The ZIV was actively involved in countless events during the Eurobike. During numerous panels and specialist presentations ZIV representatives discussed at great length key digitalisation topics, cycle tourism and political, technical and regulatory developments in the industry. Particularly the role of bicycles as a recognised contributor to sustainable, digital future mobility was emphasised. During the events on «Cycling as a Recognised Global Mobility Industry» and «Mapping the Market: Indexes and Insights for the Industry», ZIV representatives highlighted the economic and social potential of a digitally networked bicycle industry. The ZIV used these events to share its knowledge, contribute new impetus to the industry, emphasise the importance of data-based decisions for the entire industry and draw attention to the association’s own activities.
Bicycle industry strong together
The ZIV was additionally involved in political networking together with its partner organisation Zukunft Fahrrad. The ZIV brought political stakeholders and experts from companies active in the industry together during tours of the trade fair with representatives of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Hessian state parliament. The focus was an exchange on the framework conditions, legal innovations and joint future strategies, for example on topics such as sustainability, the shortage of skilled labour and battery management in the bicycle industry.
One further highlight was the traditional gathering on Wednesday evening during which the ADFC, VSF, Zukunft Fahrrad and ZIV welcomed their member companies and explained their own political work.
One further highlight was the traditional gathering on Wednesday evening during which the ADFC, VSF, Zukunft Fahrrad and ZIV welcomed their member companies and explained their own political work.
Strong presence for the bicycle industry
On Thursday afternoon, «15 years of cooperation between GRS and the ZIV» was celebrated the ZIV’s trade fair stand with a reception. ZIV representatives also attended a number of the receptions hosted by member companies. The 100th anniversary of Busch + Müller from the Sauerland deserves special mention here; ZIV representatives warmly congratulated the family business.
During the Eurobike Festival Days from 27 to 29 June, the trade fair opened its doors to the general public. The ZIV also had a presence during this time and sought to interact directly with trade fair visitors. The stand became a place for exploration and lively exchanges – not only for experts, but also for end consumers interested in technical and political developments in the cycling world.
Looking back, the ZIV presented itself at Eurobike 2025 as a strong driving force for the future of the bicycle industry and a catalyst for the topics relevant to the bicycle ecosystem. Through its diverse appearances and activities, expert insights and clear focus on networking and innovation, the association reaffirmed its role as a key link between industry, policymakers and consumers. Eurobike offered the ZIV not only the stage, but also the network to accompany key developments, offer solutions and shape the future of the industry together with its partners.
During the Eurobike Festival Days from 27 to 29 June, the trade fair opened its doors to the general public. The ZIV also had a presence during this time and sought to interact directly with trade fair visitors. The stand became a place for exploration and lively exchanges – not only for experts, but also for end consumers interested in technical and political developments in the cycling world.
Looking back, the ZIV presented itself at Eurobike 2025 as a strong driving force for the future of the bicycle industry and a catalyst for the topics relevant to the bicycle ecosystem. Through its diverse appearances and activities, expert insights and clear focus on networking and innovation, the association reaffirmed its role as a key link between industry, policymakers and consumers. Eurobike offered the ZIV not only the stage, but also the network to accompany key developments, offer solutions and shape the future of the industry together with its partners.
