Business statistics: U.S. Bike Imports Return to Pre-Recession Levels

U.S. imports of core market 20-inch wheel and larger bicycles in 2012 returned to the pre-recession level of 13 million units generating $1.4 billion in cost, or FOB value, according to the Gluskin Townley Group.

“2012 imports of 20-inch wheel and larger bicycles returned U.S. bicycle market consumption to the historically flat market, averaging 12.8 million core market bicycle units per year starting in 2000,” said Elliot Gluskin, managing partner. “U.S. market consumption of core market 20-inch wheel and larger bicycles has shown fluctuation since the great recession in 2009, but has not demonstrated real growth in terms of units consumed over the last 13 years.  Total FOB value of U.S. imports has shown steady growth in constant dollar value, but the value has actually declined when inflation is taken into account,” Gluskin said.

“2012 ranked seventh out of the last 13 years in total 20-inch wheel and larger bicycles imported into the U.S., but the $1.4 billion in FOB value was the highest total cost ever recorded, with an average FOB unit value of $105 in constant dollars,” Gluskin Concluded.