BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Suppliers selling e-bikes saw an increase in business over the first quarter as shipments grew 88 percent, but that is about the only good news in Q1. Suppliers shipped 80,303 fewer bikes to shops through March, a loss of $32.6 million in business, according to a Bicycle Product Suppliers Association report. In the first three months, bike shipments were down 13 percent in dollars and 15 percent in units.
Shipments in March tumbled significantly, down 27 percent in units from March 2016, which may suggest retailers do not have a bullish take on the upcoming sales season, or they still have unsold inventory they want to move first. Either way, supplier business is short of last year's numbers.
Only five categories posted growth in the quarter: e-bikes, commuter, 24-inch kids', BMX and 29er front-suspension. All other categories fell. Mountain bike and road unit shipments were each down about 18 percent.
Lifestyle and comfort bike shipments fell by 34,755 bikes, a 30 percent decline for the category. And 6,743 fewer 26-inch mountain bikes were shipped, but some of that is lost business as the category overall is down. Shipments of fat bikes were down 34 percent.
