Delhi showcases 3-day International Bicycle and Fitness expo

The first edition of the International Bicycle & Fitness Expo 2015 (IBFE), organized by ADA Expo & Events, commenced on January 29 and will last till January 31. The show was inaugurated by Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment and Guest of Honor Anil Kapoor, Bollywood Actor and Producer at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

IBFE is a three-day bicycle, e-bike and fitness equipment trade and industry fair.

In an effort to promote fitness as a preventive care and to showcase the latest technology and services in the fitness industry, the expo has been organised exclusively for bicycles, bicycle parts, e-bikes, fitness equipment manufacturers, traders, customers, dealers, importers, exporters and members of the public as per international standards. The expo is open for public.

In a span of three days, the expo is expected to be attended by 1 lakh visitors, providing an ideal platform to manufacturers, dealers and importers from Europe, China, Japan and Taiwan to interact with focused customers with higher visibility.

Inaugurating the first edition of International Bicycle & Fitness Expo 2015, Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, said, "It is an honour to be present here and inaugurate the first-of-its-kind expo, organized with international standards of quality. I appreciate the initiatives undertaken by ADA Expo & Events for promoting cycling and contributing towards cleaner environment."

On the occasion, Anil Kapoor, Actor and Producer said, "I have a happy and healthy lifestyle. I realized the importance of fitness long before I joined the film industry. Physical activities like cycling and running not only help us to get in shape but also make us mentally strong."

Cycling is more than just a style statement. Fitness enthusiasts swear by cycling to stay physically and mentally fit. The expo showcased high-end bicycles and fitness equipments, priced between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,0000. There were bicycle stunts every hour performed by experts and cyclists and a seminar for cycle dealers on bicycle accessories and multi-speed gear fitment, and a demo.

Hero Cycles, world's largest bicycle manufacturer, also participated in the event. Sharing insights on the bicycle industry and expo, Pankaj Munjal, Co-Chairman & Managing Director, Hero Cycles Ltd, said, "This is the first time that the Indian cycling and fitness industry is witnessing an international event with a diverse confluence of players of varied yet interlinked industries. We are pleased to participate in the International Bicycle & Fitness Expo and are positive that this event will bring our country's cycle and fitness industry in prominence, acting as a perfect platform."

"A silent revolution is pedalling its way into city dwellers' lives. As more Indians living in cities take to cycling for reasons ranging from keeping fit, to general purpose, office commuting and leisure, cycling clubs have mushroomed on social networking sites. Seeing demand, bicycle companies are focusing on this niche but growing segment of recreation bicycles," said Anil Khurana, Managing Director, ADA Expo & Events.

"The future of the bicycle industry is a premium and lifestyle segment, growing at a CAGR of over 30%. This segment is estimated to be over 0.25 million units annually," added Anil Khurana.

Talking about the future outlook for the bicycle industry, All India Cycle Manufacturers' Association (AICMA) said, "With influx of international bicycle brands in India, most Indian bicycle manufacturers have also expanded their base in the professional and recreational categories in metros. Offerings beyond the occupational bicycle are growing."

Speaking on the occasion, Cycling Federation of India said, "With an annual sale of more than 20 million bicycles, the bicycle industry is one of the most established industries in India. It has raised the country's position to that of the second largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, next only to China. India has seen a tremendous increase in the number of bicycle manufacturers and bicycle exporters in the recent past."

"Today, India is the third largest exporter of bicycles in the world. The Indian bicycle manufacturing and bicycle spares industry is well accepted and is also widely recognized for its quality standards in international markets," Cycling Federation of India further added.