TAIPEI CYCLE 2018 Spearheads the Cycling Industry into the Era of Smart Riding Through the Expansion of “TAIPEI CYCLE+”
TAIPEI CYCLE 2018 concluded November 3, attracting 33,885 visitors, including 4,932 overseas visitors and 28,953 domestic visitors. The 4-day event, organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), was held at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Nangang Exhibition Hall 1 and Exhibition Hall 3. Buyers from Mainland China (including Hong Kong) came in large numbers, followed by those from Japan, U.S., South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore and UK.
TAITRA and the Bureau of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, jointly organized the “TAIPEI CYCLE 2018-EEN Matchmaking Meetings” for 10 buyers from 8 countries, including Romania, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, France and Ireland. The representative of Spanish company LittiumKaos Engineering was very pleased to find Fox Factory, a supplier of high-end shock absorbers for competitive cycling, and planned to increase the amount of purchase from USD 300,000 to USD 2 million.
Among the over 120 first-time exhibitors, the representative of Swedish company Thule indicated that “TAIPEI CYCLE is the key international show in Asia for the cycling industry. We exhibited our latest offerings and received many inquiries during the 4 days of the Show. We are pleased with building and solidifying our brand image through the Show.” Another first-time exhibitor, Italian company Basso, also had surprisingly good results. It will definitely return in 2019, even though the two editions of the Show are only 4 months apart. Korean company VAZALAB Co, Ltd., one of the winners of the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards this year, has already registered for the Show next year as well. Its representative had visited the Show for 13 years before becoming an exhibitor, and thanked TAITRA for organizing the Korean Pavilion that enhanced the overall image of participating companies.
TAIPEI CYCLE DEMO DAY was held at Hua-zhong Campsite one day before the opening of the Show (October 30). 25 companies from 6 countries took part in the event, with nearly 1,000 buyers and the general public test riding new models of bicycles from over 40 brands along scenic riverside paths. TAIPEI CYCLE Forum was held November 1 and 2, fully-packed with over 300 participants. In-depth discussions of hot topics for the cycling industry today drew enthusiastic responses, including anti-dumping cases in Europe, U.S. Trade Act Section 301 actions, smart manufacturing in response to the rise of Industry 4.0, and the impact of future evolution of human transport on bicycles.
In addition, with the support of organizations such as SwiCity Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan Urban Bicycle Alliance (TUBA) and VeloCity, lectures and games were held at TWTC Hall 3 to promote cycling as a culture. “E-bike Innovation Presentations” demonstrated low-carbon smart living though integrating e-bikes with internet of things and artificial intelligence technologies. CyQlo, an exhibitor at “TAIPEI CYCLE+” at TWTC Hall 3, expressed appreciation to TAITRA for the multi-faceted effort to attract visitors.
Ms. Gina Chang, Secretary General of Taiwan Bicycle Association recognized that from a broad perspective, the cycling industry would further evolve to meet the demand of the unstoppable trend towards digital living, but the speed of such evolution would depend on conducive regulatory environment and technical breakthroughs. TAIPEI CYCLE 2018 responded to such an industry trend through the first-ever “TAIPEI CYCLE+”, a hall dedicated to bringing bicycle, innovation and technology together. Exhibits and industry discussions in the Show also revealed the germination of cycling for the digital generation and the expansion of cycling as a culture.
TAIPEI CYCLE 2019 will be held March 27 through 30, using the newly-open Nangang Exhibition Hall 2 and the 4th Floor of Hall 1. For more details, please visit: https://www.taipeicycle.com.tw/.
Media Contact:
Ms. Jasmine Wu
Tel: +886-2-2725-5200 Ext. 2853
Email: TCSnews@taitra.org.tw