BERLIN, Germany – A long winter and a rainy summer caused bicycle shipment to the various distribution channels including dealers to drop by 5.5% in Germany last year. Shipments reached a total of 3.75 million units (including e-bikes). The good news: while unit sales dropped value wise the market remained relatively stable.

In terms of euro's (calculated at retail prices) the 2013 German bike market, including e-bikes, amounted to a total of 1.98 billion euro. This is 2.5% below last year's total value. Germany's industry association, 'Zweirad Industrie Verband' (ZIV), estimates that the total market value including parts & accessories sales stood at about to 4 billion euro.

All in all the nation's 'bicycle mood' is excellent, according to Siegfried Neuberger, GM of the ZIV. He said: "Politicians see bicycling now as part of our daily mobility. There is no other mode of transport with so many positive characteristics as a bicycle. Cycling is healthy, inexpensive and environmental-friendly. Moreover, using bikes for short-distance trips up to five kilometers is efficient and saves time. It results in the fact that today bicycles are everywhere. Also because it combines mobility and individual lifestyle in an unprecedented form."