This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 897


20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month...

20 Aug 2025

Cycling and active living charity Sustrans has claimed there is strong evidence that a lack of infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people on bikes in Northern Ireland.

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared...

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports...

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.

1 Aug 2025

A number of ACT members and partners have been named among the final nominees for the 2025 BikeBiz Awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK cycle industry.

30 Jul 2025

A former student of South Africa’s Torq Zone Academy has taken a major step forward in cycling mechanic training after completing the prestigious UCI Level 3 Mechanics Course in Aigle,...

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product...

Back to news menu

Bicycle Association's latest UK Import and Export Summary

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Outdoor News

Here is the latest report on bicycles coming in and out of the UK.

bike association 

July, August and September 2018 summary:

  • The import of bicycles, this includes e-bikes, during the 3rd quarter were significantly down by 46% since the 3rd quarter in 2017.
  • The import of all bicycles was over 50% down on 3rd quarter levels seen back to 2010.
  • The Year to date (YTD) total imports of bicycle units in the 3rd quarter is 1.85m which is roughly the same as the end of the 2rd quarter in 2017, which saw 1.89m imports. This drop, according to the Bicycle Association, is likely due to natural variation. In 2017 the 3rd quarter imports went on to build substantially in the 4th quarter and this may also translate this year.
  • Although the YTD imports are similar, the YTD value is down by 16% with a £210m YTD in 2018 compared to the £250m YTD by the end of September in 2017.
  • The E-bike data for the 3rd quarter of 2018 is up on both the volume (8%) and value (25%) of the 3rd quarter in 2017.
  • The proportion of all e-bikes imported from Chine over the last 12 months has dropped from 50% to 45% with France now consolidating with over 10% of e-bikes imported to the UK in the last 12 months, the 2nd highest country of origin for imports. The anomaly right now is why the percentage of imports from France is so low when the average unit value of an e-bikes is £141. The data suggests that EU anti-dumping measures are finally taking effect against the e-bike imports from China.
  • The units exported from the UK to Non-EU countries 2018 YTD values have increased to 29% of the total from 25% in previous quarters. The value of these exports have risen to 31% of the total. Of course, the majority of exports form the UK are still to EU countries but the outcome of Brexit may change this.

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.