- Sports retailer Decathlon’s investment and start-up arm, Decathlon Pulse, has made a ‘significant’ investment into REBIKE.
- REBIKE operates across Central Europe, purchasing used ebikes from ebike leasing companies, giving them a like-new refurbishment before being sold on, at a much more affordable price.
- The investment is a strategic one for Decathlon, who have been selling bicycles for decades, before starting to sell its own ebike range in recent years.
Decathlon invests in used ebike business
With this investment made by Decathlon Pulse, the two firms are hoping to scale up REBIKE’s operations in Europe. So far, REBIKE operates in the regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its online shop is layed out in a similar fashion to an online car marketplace, further cementing the proposition of an ebike as a replacement for a daily-driven car. In its position as a multinational retailer, Decathlon will offer REBIKE expertise in the form of aspects such as its international infrastructure already in place, and sales expertise.
The European ebike industry is already underseeing significant growth, with sales having doubled over the last five years, while Decathlon estimates that over 100 million ebikes will be in circulation, as soon as 2030. The recent EBIKE SUMMIT further highlighted both the opportunities and challenges the industry will face in the coming years.
Thomas Bernik, REBIKE CEO and Co-Founder, commented:
“By addressing consumer affordability and driving the trend of reuse, refurbished e-bikes are poised to become a standard in the bicycle sector. We’re excited to take this next step with DECATHLON PULSE, leveraging their global expertise and international perspective to accelerate our operations across new markets.”
Sophie O’Kelly de Gallagh, Decathlon Pulse’s Circular Economy and Sustainability Investment Director, added:
“Our alliance with REBIKE represents a beacon of innovation in the cycling industry, showcasing the immense potential of circularity. By combining our global reach with REBIKE’s expertise in the e-bike industry, we’re driving positive impact in the sports ecosystem and setting new standards for sustainable mobility.”
