Get your business rolling: The bicycle trade fair at f.re.e

Why are you exhibiting with ADFC Bayern at f.re.e?
We have been a partner of f.re.e for more than 15 years, and for us the trade fair is the perfect platform for networking with all our tourism partners and customers.

To what extent has the cooperation between ADFC Bayern and f.re.e proven itself in recent years?
Our long-standing partnership has allowed us to become a solid team with our colleagues from f.re.e. Year after year, we work together to further develop the bicycle theme at the trade fair. We value the trusting relationship and look forward to continuing it in the future.

Why is it a must for you to be at f.re.e?
f.re.e is the most important and most professional tourism fair for us – we absolutely have to be here!

What challenges do you think there are in the bicycle industry and how does f.re.e help to solve them?
A key topic today is digitization. The challenge here is to develop offers that meet the needs of different generations. The trade fair has the potential to show which solutions currently exist in the industry.

And the trade fair has the potential to show what is currently available in the industry?
What changes do cyclists have to expect?
In the past, the classic bicycle map was essential and important for traveling, but today everything is mainly done digitally. For example, manufacturers of a wide range of GPS devices are represented at f.re.e, advising and informing trade fair visitors about how to plan bicycle tours digitally. In fact, the younger generation no longer buys maps to plan trips or to follow a route while traveling.

What trends do you see emerging over the next few years?
The growing trend towards cycling holidays is likely to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by a combination of sustainability concerns and the desire for active as well as enjoyable vacations. Sustainable forms of travel are on the rise, and the bicycle is the perfect basis for this, also in combination with other activities.

f.re.e in three words:
f.re.e is a highlight: attractive, diverse, professional.

Are you planning to exhibit again next year?
We will continue to participate because f.re.e is the ideal place for us to present ourselves and our offers in cycle tourism. It should be emphasized that f.re.e is the only leisure fair that dedicates an entire hall to the topic of bicycles. This is particularly important because it allows us to present the entire spectrum of bicycle-related topics.

What are the current trends in the bicycle industry and how does f.re.e support them?
The trend is increasingly towards e-bikes, even among younger generations. A key issue here is safety and how to use the bike correctly. As ADFC, we see it as our job to offer training and education in this area. f.re.e covers everything you need to plan a good bike trip in the bike section—from hardware to digital maps. In addition, as exhibitors we have the opportunity to network, develop new ideas and enter into cooperative ventures to solve future challenges together.

Why are you exhibiting at f.re.e this year?
Hercules has been here at the trade fair for many years, almost from the beginning actually, and we are in the same place every year, are satisfied and will be back again next year.

What is special for you at f.re.e?
There are a lot of visitors at f.re.e who come to see the new bikes before the season, i.e. the bike season, and perhaps remember Hercules. And that is very important for us. I think the mixture of the car show, the last two days of the motorcycle show and camping is a very big topic at the moment. Everyone wants to travel at any time and bikes are generally an interesting topic. It's the mix that makes the difference. Our last trade fair was in Hamburg. It was purely a caravan and bike fair. And here you have even more topics that people can see and look at, which of course means you get a much bigger audience.

How would you describe the cooperation with Hercules and f.re.e?
Well, the trade fair is booked by our office, i.e. Hercules, but I do all the organization here. It works very well. The set-up works very well. We can get to our stand very easily. Dismantling works very well. Every day we are asked if everything fits. So we are very satisfied with the whole organization team.

What are the current challenges in the bicycle industry?
The bike trade is currently going through difficult times. We had two years of corona, during which time a lot of bikes were sold, but there were very few bikes. Now there are a few more bikes and we need a nice spring so that the bikes flow into the trade and a trade fair like this is of course ideal so that we can be seen here again and people realize once again: There are nice things, there are nice bikes and you could possibly buy new bikes again in the near future.

Where do you think the trend in the bicycle industry is heading?
There is a very clear trend: lighter e-bikes. It used to be like this: bigger battery, longer range, more powerful motor. The batteries got bigger and bigger and the bikes got heavier and heavier as a result. Currently, every second person wants a lightweight e-bike, preferably under 20 kilos. That will happen in 2025, but we'll have to wait a little longer.

Describe f.re.e in three words:
For me, f.re.e is big, beautiful, versatile.