Bicycle Imports Continue Growth

Bicycle imports into Australia for July 2012 totaled 123,122 units, the largest July figure for at least the last four years. Both adult and children's bike imports were up in July. This was more than double the amount for July 2011 of 61,422, however that month was below the usual trend, as July 2009 and 2010 were 105,977 and 119,475 respectively.

This year's July increase comes after 86,454 bikes were imported in June, which was slightly up on last year.

So we have now seen a year on year increase in bicycle imports for every month of 2012 except February. The total increase for January to July 2012 over January to July 2011 is approximately 143,000 units from 398,000 units for this period in 2011 to 541,000 units so far for 2012, an increase of 36%.

However 2011 was a low year for bike imports, so the increase is not so dramatic compared to previous years. In fact 2012 is still tracking slightly below the record year of 2007.

When looking at the figures in terms of financial years, the 2011/2012 financial year finished with a total of 1,166,712 bikes imported, slightly down on the previous two financial years and also 43,000 units down on the 10 year average of 1,209,000 units per financial year since bike imports surged in 2002/03. Within the 2011/2012 financial year, the second half was stronger than the first half, when compared with the established pattern of previous years.

Australian Customs collect bicycle import figures which are then collated by Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA). Full data including comparison tables and charts are made available to BIA members only.

BIA have kindly permitted us to publish summary figures and commentary when each new quarter’s data is released.