WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—The number of bicycles imported into the United States dropped by 1.822 million units through August, putting importers on track for one of their smallest years in a decade.
The children’s bicycle market has been particularly hard hit this recession, with imports of 24-inch bikes down 28 percent, 20-inch imports down 25 percent and sidewalk bikes down 9 percent.
Imports of 26-inch mountain and comfort bikes also are off substantially, down 13 percent, or 475,550 units.
Road bike imports are up 13 percent, the only category to post a gain. Increasing interest in this category is happening despite average unit value climbing to $283 from $269 last year.
Taiwan is losing orders for juvenile bikes but suppliers have upped orders 32 percent to the island for 700c road and utility bikes. Since the average unit value for adult bikes is $100 greater per unit, Taiwan’s overall sales to the United States is up.
—Matt Wiebe
