Rise of Cycling Culture

Cycling has become increasingly popular as a leisure activity and means of transportation in many cities across Asia Pacific in recent years. Countries like China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have seen a major uptake in recreational cycling on dedicated paths and lanes. More cyclists on the road has led to a boom in the cycling wear market to meet the growing consumer demand. Cycling jerseys, bib shorts, pants, jackets, gloves, shoes etc. catering specifically to cyclists are now widely available across major retail brands and specialized sports stores.

Changing Consumer Preferences

Apart from popularity and adoption of cycling, evolving consumer preferences have also fueled the Cycling wear industry. Cyclists now pay close attention to performance, breathability, moisture wicking capabilities and other technical aspects of the gear. They are willing to spend more on high quality, comfortable and durable cycling apparel that enhances their riding experience. The emergence of fast fashion has made cycling clothes more affordable and accessible to masses. Customers also expect a wide array of styles, colors and fits to suit their individual needs and tastes. Manufacturers are innovating continuously to match these dynamic preferences of cyclists.

Expansion of Domestic Manufacturing

A number of cycling gear companies have established manufacturing bases in Asia Pacific cycling wear to cater to the growing regional demand as well as tap into export opportunities. Countries like China, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh etc. have emerged as popular manufacturing hubs due to availability of cheap labor and raw materials. Many international brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma etc. have partnered with local manufacturers to produce cycling clothes for mass market. This has reduced production costs while ensuring steady supply. Homegrown manufacturers are also taking on global players by offering good quality products at affordable prices. Industry experts estimate that Asia Pacific will account for over 50% of global cycling apparel manufacturing in the coming years.

Investments and Partnerships in the Region

Recognizing Asia Pacific cycling wear growth , international cycling brands are investing heavily here through new stores, distribution channels and partnerships. For example, Gore Bike Wear opened flagship outlets in key cycling cities like Taipei and Melbourne to establish a strong foothold. Leading Chinese cycling brand Ali Bike partnered with outdoor company VF Corporation to tap international markets. Global giant Adidas acquired renowned Taiwan-based 5.10 brand to augment its cycling portfolio. Several venture capital funds are also funding promising startups in the region. These strategic moves aim to cement presence and gain a competitive edge in the fast evolving Asia Pacific cycling wear landscape.

Rise of Homegrown Brands

Bolstered by growing domestic demand and partnerships, new cycling wear brands specifically tailored for the Asia Pacific cycling wear is emerging. Countries like China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia are producing innovative, value-driven brands that compete with global names. For instance, India's Aztec Cycling Apparel was launched in 2015 and has successfully carved a unique identity in the affordable performance segment. Taiwan's Dhb offers a wide range of size-specific cycling jerseys and shorts at accessible price points marketed aggressively online and at major retailer outlets. The proliferation of homegrown brands is a testimony to the immense potential and maturation of the cycling culture in Asia Pacific.

Role of E-commerce and Social Media

The advent of powerful online platforms has revolutionized how cycling gear is discovered, purchased and marketed in Asia Pacific cycling wear. Leading online retailers such as TaoBao, Tokopedia, Lazada and Zalora are stocking all major cycling brands and driving sales through personalized recommendations, customer reviews and flash deals. Cycling companies are leveraging social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Strava to engage communities, promote new collections as well as understand evolving preferences. Live streaming on sites like YouTube is also gaining popularity to showcase product features and technical expertise. The proliferation of e-commerce and social selling channels has become a game changer, facilitating convenient purchases while reducing distribution costs.

Growth of Women's Cycling Wear Segment

An encouraging trend has been the steady rise in the number of women participating in both recreational and competitive cycling across Asia Pacific cities. This has opened up sizable opportunities for womens-specific cycling apparel, gear and accessories. Specialist brands, as well as mainstream companies, are recognizing the need to cater to physiological and comfort needs of women riders through bespoke cuts, padding, sizes and designs. While global brands like Galibier, Assos and Giro led the segment many years back, new brands such as Malaysia's UAWE.cc and India's Zontes specifically targeting this consumer niche are gaining prominence. Retailers are allocating dedicated shelf space to showcase expanding women's categories and appropriate fitting services to drive this high growth vertical.

Evolution to Performance Cycling Culture

From being a leisure activity initially, cycling is progressively becoming a serious performance sport attracting competitive riders and amateur racers in Asia Pacific cities as well. Cyclists are spending more on specialized gear optimized for endurance, aerodynamics and maximizing pedaling efficiency for longer/faster rides and races. New segments like triathlon are also growing in popularity and further catalyzing demand for technical cycling wear. Manufacturers are differentiating extensively to serve diverse needs across road cycling, mountain biking, BMX, triathlon and other categories. The proliferation of granular sub-segments validates an evolution towards a deeper cycling culture focused on performance and serious training across Asia Pacific.

Future Outlook

The Asia Pacific cycling wear remains highly promising backed by multiple favorable demand and supply side factors. The cycling culture is expected to become further mainstream, supported by urban infrastructure projects, bike sharing programs, cycling routes and events. Rising health awareness, fitness trends, environmental consciousness as well as women participation will attract many new riders. Manufacturers are likely to continue investing in enhancing design and technical prowess of gear, integrating smart connectivity features as well as optimizing for varied climate and body types. E-commerce influence on cycling product discovery and purchases will additionally intensify. While international brands consolidate regional presence, indigenous brands catering specifically to domestic sensibilities are poised to increasingly challenge their global counterparts. Overall, Asia Pacific's cycling wear market will likely witness consistent double digit annual growth over the next 5 years at least, underpinned by booming cycling culture, innovations and evolving retail landscape across diverse countries. 

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 About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)