Bike Week 2020 is underway and it’s not just across the UK
that the sport is seeing a surge in interest, with exports
of UK cycling goods climbing by 15% in the year to March.
The latest figures show that bike exports have a total
value of £173.2 million, with Europe, Australia and the US
leading the way in demand.
Brompton Bicycles is one of the iconic brands continuing to
grow internationally as commuters look to avoid public
transport and keep fit outdoors.
Stephen Loftus, Chief Commercial Officer for Brompton Bicycle
says:
Our export sales to year-end March 2020 were up over 30%
compared to 2019 as people increasingly recognise the
benefits of cycling in cities across the world.
Since March, as the WHO and national governments promoted
cycling as an alternative to public transport during the
Coronavirus pandemic, global demand for Brompton has
grown significantly. We expect that trend to continue.
As the UK’s biggest bicycle manufacturer, we’re proud to
be able to continue exporting safely and provide a
sustainable solution to the way people move across
cities.
Another business tapping into the global market for cycling
fashion is helmet manufacturer Dashel, which recently
secured a new distribution agreement in South Korea worth
an estimated £380,000.
Dashel, meaning thistle in the Cornish language, was
launched in 2017 by former accessories designer Catherine
Bedford, who had previously worked for fashion giants LVMH
and Nike. The company specialises in the design and
manufacture of bespoke light-weight helmets for fashionable
urban use.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has worked
with Dashel since it started trading and has helped the
company to enter a number of markets. The business sells
directly to customers via its website and is stocked in 22
overseas retailers across Europe and Asia.
Catherine Bedford, Founder of Dashel Helmets, says demand for
her helmets has remained strong despite the Coronavirus
outbreak:
The UK’s cycling industry is booming, and I’m proud that
Dashel is playing its part in moving us towards a
happier, healthier and more environmentally friendly
world.
DIT has helped Dashel to grow by supporting our exports
since we first launched. As a safety product, we have a
lot of regulations to abide by when selling overseas, and
our International Trade Advisor has helped us to navigate
these.
We have been exporting over 40% of our output since
launch and this looks set to increase, with interest from
many new markets including Japan, USA and now France who
all appreciate British design and manufacturing”.
Dashel is one of the many UK brands which will be kitting
out the Team GB athletes when they go to the Olympic Games
in Tokyo next year, with their helmets named as part of the
official kit for recreational use in the Olympic village.
International Trade Secretary , said:
The UK’s expertise in cycling, combined with our
manufacturing heritage in this industry, is in-demand
across the world. With Free Trade Agreement negotiations
already underway with the US and Japan, and due to launch
shortly with other key markets, our great British bike
manufacturers can expect to see demand soar even further
in the future.
With more people turning to two wheels for their commute
and leisure, UK cycling’s success on the road and track
is translating into increasing business success.
A spokesperson for British Cycling said:
British Cycling has become an international byword for
sporting success, and as we work with the bicycle
industry to transform the UK into a great cycling nation,
it is great to see that success continue with growth in
exports.
