The finale was once again a beautiful conclusion. Somewhat more relaxed than in previous years, with a degree of familiarity that was reminiscent of the beginnings. Yet it also showed what is lacking conceptually. This is what quite a few exhibitors and visitors were saying about the 29th edition of the Eurobike 2021 in Friedrichshafen. With the decision to move to Frankfurt am Main this year, not only the venue but also the approach of the world’s leading trade fair for bicycles was to change. Now, for the first time, the organisers have given a more concrete indication of the direction in which they want to develop the event.
New themes, new partners
Future Mobility and Urban Mobility are two of the key aspects around which the fair wants to reorient itself thematically. Of course, this still includes regular bicycles, pedelecs and ebikes per se. However, a bridge is deliberately being built to the world of Light Electric Vehicles (LEV), to the visions of contemporary sharing systems as well as to the electronic services associated with them.
Hall 8 will be the home for the two leading themes Future Mobility and Urban Mobility.
All of this – to a greater or lesser extent – has already played a role at the Eurobike. Nevertheless, the trade fair did not have the core competence for this. That’s why protagonists are now coming into play who were not directly associated with the fair in previous years, at least not directly.
These include, for example, the Berlin-based Motionlab. Companies such as Carla Cargo, Onomotion, Citkar and Sblocs have emerged from this melting pot of ideas and modern machines and have successfully set up their own businesses. Motionlab founder Christoph Neye is one of those bringing their ideas into the planning of the upcoming Eurobike. “Especially in the bicycle segment, which is increasingly being supplemented by Light Electric Vehicles in urban areas, new technologies and services are emerging that can change our mobility for the better in the long term. It is therefore also a personal concern of mine to accompany and advise the Eurobike on this path.”
Planning and designing
The more holistic approach that the show is taking speaks for a new seriousness in integrating new topics. For example, more attention is about being paid to the environment of bicycles and other vehicles. What exactly is part of a modern transport infrastructure? How will bicycles, pedestrians and cars share the road in the future? How can we bring more quality of life into our city centres? There will be space and competent partners for the discussion of such questions.
The e-cargo bike is to receive more attention at Eurobike 2022. In addition, you will probably be able to test one more often.
In addition, the Eurobike 2022 is to become more relaxed and encourage as many guests as possible to come with more than just well-lit exhibits. For example, those responsible announced evening cargo bike rides with and into the cargo bike scene on site, as well as cargo bike races.
Let’s see what will follow this first announcement in the upcoming months. The plan is for the Eurobike to open its doors punctually at 9 a.m. on 13 July 2022. The public is then also invited on 16 and 17 July.
Pictures: Fairnamic GmbH
