The 32nd Taipei International Cycle Show took place from March 27 to 30, returning to its position as the first (meaning earliest) major international cycle show to be held each year. The promotion of smart riding development was continued and, with added space from the newly opened Nangang Exhibition Hall 2 (TaiNEX 2), accommodated 1,115 domestic and foreign manufacturers in two pavilions. 3,300 booths were on display, up to 4,600 booths when combined with the accompanying Taipei International Sporting Goods Show (Taispo). This was Asia’s largest exhibition of its kind. TAITRA converted TaiNEX2 into a pavilion for bicyling parts, and a total of 607 major bike parts suppliers from Taiwan, including Kenda, KMC, and Novatec, occupied 1,950 booths to showcase the R&D energy of Taiwan’s bike industry.
According to rough estimates from Taiwan’s Customs Administration, Executive Yuan, the total export volume of Taiwan’s electric bikes reached 283,100 in 2018 with a total export value of US$375 million. This is a spectacular 50% growth in both output and value compared to 2017. With sustained popularity of electric bikes, the 2019 exhibition featured 50 manufacturers in over 110 booths in TaiNEX 1 for the first Electric System Zone. The zone included displays of lithium batteries, charging devices, electronic control systems, motors, and other electric bike products. The TAIPEI CYCLE+ zone returned for 2019, with companies representing IoT, smart wear devices, and related industries. This zone stimulated exchange between two of Taiwan’s top industries: bicycles and information/communication, leading to new applications of smart riding in the future.
Demo Day’s location shifted to Taipei Neihu Restoration Park for the first time, a 10-minute drive from the Nangang Exhibition Halls. The site features natural green spaces and sloping paths, making it ideal for buyers to test ride a variety of demo models. Technological elements were also added to event design, with smart equipment and both outdoor and indoor platforms set up for buyers and citizens to try out.
From March 28 to 29, a Taipei Cycle Forum featured guest speakers who are leaders in their fields: Jan Van Zanen, mayor of Utrecht, Rich Conroy, Director of Education of Bike New York, Liu Li-Chu, executive director of Cycling Life Style, Mark Sanders, manager of Mas Design from Germany, and Susanne Brüsch, director of Pedelec Adventures. They discussed the achievements and possibilities in bike design, cycling culture, electric bikes, and future urban blueprints. Other discussion sessions featuring soft topics, such as Cycle Salon, were held in the exhibition halls. Videos, experience in entrepreneurship, as well as lectures on everyday culture and cycling trips were available.
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