2002 saw UK sales of bicycles stabilising at somewhere near 2000 levels, after bad weather, the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and a Europe-wide downturn in the market significantly depressed sales in 2000. However, market value continues to decline as margins are squeezed ever tighter and the average bicycle price descends to around (or even below, according to some commentators) the £100 mark. Mintel predicts 2003 to be a better year - at least in volume terms - thanks to prolonged fine weather and the absence of rival leisure attractions of the sort that constrained summer sales in 2002 (principally the football World Cup and the Queen's Golden Jubilee).

2002 saw UK sales of bicycles stabilising at somewhere near 2000 levels, after bad weather, the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and a Europe-wide downturn in the market significantly depressed sales in 2000. However, market value continues to decline as margins are squeezed ever tighter and the average bicycle price descends to around (or even below, according to some commentators) the £100 mark. Mintel predicts 2003 to be a better year - at least in volume terms - thanks to prolonged fine weather and the absence of rival leisure attractions of the sort that constrained summer sales in 2002 (principally the football World Cup and the Queen's Golden Jubilee).

To truly prosper in these market conditions, however, it's vital you get to grips with a number of developing trends.

With Mintel's latest report on your desktop, this is exactly what you can do. 'Bicycles in the UK, 2003' provides fresh insight into:

The steady sales and shrinking margins that characterising the market

The apparent end to the mountain bike boom

The children's and youth sectors - challenges and opportunities

Supermarkets vs. the independent sector - impacts and implications

Consumer resistance to cycling

Ownership of racing bikes and BMX

Fitness, leisure and other popular reasons for riding

Key target markets

A changing 'car culture' as the key to further growth

Contact us today and find out how this unique research report from Mintel offers you new analysis into:

Market factors/ Market size and segmentation/ Market segmentation/ The supply structure/ Distribution/ Advertising and promotion/ Consumer trends/ The Consumer: Prime motivators towards cycling/ The future/ Sales forecasts

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Eco and Ethical Tourism - UK, Leisure Intelligence, October 2003

- Activity Holidays - UK, Leisure Intelligence, September 2003

- The Leisure Business - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2003

- Leisure: Living for Today - UK, Special, 2003

- Holiday Bookings - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2003

- The Sport Market - UK, Special, 2003

- Sport and the Media - UK, Leisure Intelligence, May 2003

- Spectator Sports - UK, Leisure Intelligence, April 2003

- Holidays - The Road to Recovery - UK, Special, February 2003

- British Lifestyles - UK, Special, 2003

- Holidays - UK, Special, 2004

- Sporting and the Great Outdoors - UK, Leisure Intelligence, February 2004

- Britons on Holiday at Home - UK, Leisure Intelligence, March 2004

- Themed Hotels/Holidays - UK, Leisure Intelligence, May 2004

- Short Breaks Abroad - UK, Leisure Intelligence, June 2004

- Sports Clothing - UK, Leisure Intelligence, November 2004.