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The world’s largest trade fair “Euro-Bike” in July is already casting its shadow. With the move from Friedrichshafen, the Leitschau is to become a mobility fair.
Frankfurt moves into the center of the bicycle world. At least for five days in mid-July, when the world’s largest bicycle fair, Euro-Bike, takes place for the first time in the Main metropolis. With the move from tranquil Friedrichshafen to the densely populated Rhine-Main area, the organizer has high expectations. “We are expecting the biggest event so far in Frankfurt,” says Stefan Reisinger, head of fairnamic GmbH, which was specially founded by the Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen trade fair companies for Euro-Bike. At 100,000 square meters, the exhibition space in Halls 8, 9, 11 and 12 is larger than in Friedrichshafen before the pandemic, and the targeted 1,500 exhibitors would also be a new record.
Frankfurt is already attracting more attention than before thanks to the Euro-Bike. This week the “bicycle spring” was a guest in the city for the first time. An event that provides information about new products and trends related to the topic of bicycles and has so far only taken place in the German cities of Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne. But since Frankfurt moves into the center of the bicycle world in the summer, it makes sense for the city to host the bicycle spring, argued Gunnar Fehlau, who initiated the event with his press service bicycle in 2004 for the first time.
In a restaurant in the city center that has been converted into a showroom, Fehlau presents new products, and the layman is amazed at how little the term “wireless” fits with the latest high-tech products and how much innovative spirit is offered to the kicking guild. An incredible amount has happened, especially in the field of cargo bikes. The trend is: “Better a cargo bike than a second car,” says Fehlau. In view of the expensive fuel prices, this is always worth considering. However, the new products presented by Fehlau are not much cheaper to buy at prices of almost 6000 euros. In return, some cargo bikes for children offer a railing like a cot. In the meantime, explains Fehlau, the legal situation has changed, and children are allowed to be taken on cargo bikes, provided the vehicle is “structurally suitable” for it.
Cycle Travel Fair
The 24th ADFC RadReiseMesse im Saalbau Bornheim will be presenting ideas for the summer season on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the fair, which is organized by volunteers, is two euros.
Over 30 tourism associations and tour operators from Germany and neighboring countries lure visitors with offers and tour suggestions. As part of the supporting program, there are hourly photo lectures through Germany, the Canadian prairies or the Gaza Strip. note
www.adfc-frankfurt.de/rrm
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In general, the bicycle industry thinks a lot about the next generation. The trailers for children now come across as small caravans. The seats are comfortable, the transparent film has a UV filter like sunglasses. Parents who prefer to send their children off alone on their balance bikes can now brake the models using the remote control. There are now also helmets with integrated rear lights, rear lights with sensors that indicate approaching cars, clickable luggage racks for racing bikes and neoprene covers for batteries.
All of these innovations will certainly also be on show at the Euro-Bike. In addition, there are many topics that do not directly revolve around bikes, as organizer Reisinger promises: “It goes beyond the bike.” Frankfurt to become even more of a mobility fair. Last but not least, the topic of service will move into focus.
The immense size of the specialist audience shows that the subject of bicycles is not just about selling to end customers. As in Friedrichshafen, around 50,000 guests are expected at the exhibition center on the three trade visitor days from July 13th to 15th. “With the end customers, on the other hand, it’s difficult to assess, it’s going to be an exciting story,” says Reisinger. Around 20,000 visitors came to Friedrichshafen on one day for the general public. In Frankfurt, a total of around 50,000 trade fair guests are expected on the two open days (July 16 and 17).
Bike expert Fehlau and his team will certainly be there too. “We’re as hot as firefighters for Euro-Bike.” Before that, however, the established Velo Frankfurt trade fair is inviting visitors to the ice rink on June 11th and 12th.
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