Bike Europe

Data from Cambodia’s customs department indicate that the country exported 1.1 million bicycles to the European Union in the first half of this year. The bicycle exports were valued at €205 million between January and July.

With coronavirus having a positive knock-on effect for cycling and bicycle purchases, Cambodia has also seen an upsurge in bicycle exports in the beginning of this year.

They are somewhat secretive about the way they operate.

The European Union has published an extremely critical report in which it warns Cambodia that it has not taken enough steps to prevent a loss of its special trade privileges, noting particularly “further deterioration” of its human rights record since a review process was launched nine months ago.

The Cambodian Bicycle Coalition (CBC), representing the three bicycle manufacturers exporting to the European Union, is encouraged that Bike Europe reported on October 22, 2019 that Cambodia remains the largest supplier of bicycles to the EU during the first half of 2019.

There’s again the threat that Cambodia could lose its duty-free export status on regular bicycles exported to the EU member states.

EU’s biggest bike supplier Cambodia could lose its preferential trading terms.

The EU formally informed Cambodia on February 11 it had begun a process that could result in the country losing its preferential trading terms because of its poor record on human rights and rule of law.

Is it a first sign of much more to come? That’s the big question when viewing the Eurostat data on the 2017 import of conventional bicycles into the EU 28 member states from countries outside the EU. After years of decline this import is growing again. Is it an indication that demand for regular bikes is rising?