The cycling industry has long been associated with Western markets, particularly Europe and North America, where cycling culture is deeply entrenched. However, as the global landscape continues to evolve, emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America are seeing rapid growth in cycling participation and infrastructure development. This shift has prompted a significant question for the cycling industry: Are cycling conferences addressing the specific needs of these emerging markets?
In this article, we will explore how cycling conferences are responding to the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging markets. We will review conference agendas, discuss inclusivity, and assess the industry’s efforts to expand globally while considering regional differences. Furthermore, we will look into expert opinions on whether these events are truly helping emerging markets build cycling cultures and infrastructure that meet their unique needs.
Introduction: The Growing Influence of Emerging Markets
Over the past decade, emerging markets have experienced a surge in cycling interest, driven by factors such as urbanization, rising incomes, environmental awareness, and the need for affordable and sustainable transportation options. In cities like Bogotá, Nairobi, and Jakarta, cycling has emerged as both a viable mode of transportation and a form of recreation. These regions are also becoming key players in the global cycling supply chain, with countries like China, India, and Taiwan becoming manufacturing powerhouses for bicycles and cycling components.
Yet despite this growth, cycling conferences, which have traditionally been held in cycling hubs like Europe and the U.S., often fail to fully address the unique needs of these emerging markets. In response, the cycling industry has started to reevaluate its approach, making efforts to create more inclusive, region-specific content that appeals to emerging markets’ concerns.
Review of Conference Agendas Focusing on Developing Regions
Cycling conferences are key spaces for industry leaders, manufacturers, government representatives, and advocacy groups to come together, share knowledge, and set the agenda for the future of cycling. Traditionally, these events have been centered around the challenges of established markets, but in recent years, we have seen a growing focus on emerging regions.
Conferences such as the Velo-city series, which takes place in various cities around the world, have gradually shifted their focus to the needs of cities in developing countries. For instance, the Velo-city conference held in Nairobi in 2022 was a turning point in addressing the cycling needs of African cities. The conference not only focused on cycling as a form of sustainable urban transport but also included sessions on how to build affordable cycling infrastructure in cities with rapidly growing populations and limited resources.
Similarly, the Global Cycling Summit organized by the World Bicycle Relief has increasingly featured discussions around expanding cycling in underdeveloped regions, particularly in rural areas. These types of conferences highlight the importance of cycling as a tool for economic empowerment, education, and mobility in developing countries. The inclusion of local voices in these discussions—urban planners, NGOs, government officials, and local cycling activists—has brought greater attention to issues such as affordability, accessibility, and the lack of infrastructure that can hinder the development of cycling cultures.
The trend toward inclusivity is also evident in the agenda items at various industry events, which are becoming more focused on issues like adapting bicycles for low-income populations, integrating cycling into public transport systems, and addressing the gender gap in cycling participation in developing countries. For example, the World Cycling Alliance (WCA) has been advocating for more affordable bicycles and improved access to cycling equipment in emerging markets, pushing for a shift from high-end cycling technology to products that are practical, durable, and affordable for the masses.
Expert Discussions on Inclusivity and Global Market Expansion
Experts agree that while the cycling industry is increasingly focused on emerging markets, there is still much to be done. According to Sarah Patterson, a cycling policy expert, “One of the biggest challenges for emerging markets is the lack of infrastructure. Most cities in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia have very limited bike lanes, and in many cases, roads are simply not safe for cyclists.” This lack of infrastructure makes it difficult for cyclists to navigate urban areas, limiting the broader adoption of cycling as a mainstream transportation mode.
Furthermore, as cycling’s global footprint expands, so too does the need to ensure that emerging markets are not left behind in discussions of cycling advocacy, technology, and innovation. Michael Chen, an industry analyst, emphasizes that conferences must not only focus on the supply chain aspects of cycling, such as bicycle manufacturing, but also on demand-side considerations. “Conferences should explore how emerging markets can build a cycling ecosystem that goes beyond just selling bikes. It should encompass aspects like training local mechanics, promoting safe cycling practices, and advocating for policy reforms.”
A significant part of addressing the needs of emerging markets involves ensuring that local communities are involved in the conversations around cycling infrastructure and policies. As Janet Montgomery, a development economist, points out, “What works in Europe or North America doesn’t necessarily work in Africa or Latin America. We need region-specific solutions, whether that means adapting bicycles to local terrain or implementing bike-sharing schemes in places where owning a bike is not financially feasible.”
This perspective is becoming more common among industry insiders, and it’s reflected in the increasing number of conferences dedicated to topics such as cycling for development, affordable bikes for low-income populations, and sustainable urban mobility in emerging economies. Velo-city and The Bike Summit are just two examples of conferences that are now actively working to ensure that emerging markets are part of the global cycling conversation.
Inclusivity Challenges and Barriers
Despite these efforts, there are still several barriers to achieving full inclusivity in global cycling conferences. One key challenge is the lack of representation from local communities in emerging markets. Although many conferences now include sessions focusing on developing regions, the participation from local stakeholders—especially in non-Western countries—remains low. This lack of local engagement can result in solutions that are more top-down than bottom-up, which can lead to programs that are poorly suited to the realities of those regions.
Another issue is language and accessibility. Many of the larger cycling conferences take place in cities where English or European languages dominate, which can be a barrier for people from non-English speaking regions. Conference materials, presentations, and workshops may not be available in the languages spoken in emerging markets, limiting the ability for local stakeholders to participate fully in the discussions.
Dr. Pedro Hernandez, an urban planner in Latin America, argues that “while it’s great that international cycling conferences are becoming more inclusive, the real question is whether local people and governments are actually able to implement what’s discussed. There’s often a gap between what happens in the conference room and what can be realistically achieved on the ground.”
Moving Towards Global Collaboration
Moving forward, experts agree that the success of these conferences in addressing the needs of emerging markets will depend on the industry’s ability to foster collaboration at the local, regional, and global levels. Thomas Müller, a transportation infrastructure expert, suggests that “the cycling industry must partner with local governments, NGOs, and grassroots organizations in order to co-create solutions that are both feasible and effective. Only then can we hope to build sustainable cycling cultures in these regions.”
Additionally, cross-sector collaboration will play a pivotal role. Governments, non-profits, the private sector, and local communities must work together to design policies that promote cycling as a safe and accessible mode of transportation for all. By combining resources, expertise, and local knowledge, the cycling industry can create a more inclusive global cycling community that serves the needs of both established and emerging markets.
Conclusion: A Long Way to Go
Cycling conferences have undoubtedly made strides in addressing the needs of emerging markets, but there is still much work to be done. The growing presence of these markets in the global cycling conversation is a positive sign, but true inclusivity requires more than just adding a few panels on cycling infrastructure in developing regions. It demands a genuine commitment to co-creating solutions with local stakeholders, addressing the unique challenges of each region, and ensuring that emerging markets are not treated as afterthoughts in the broader global cycling narrative.
As the cycling industry continues to grow, it must remember that the true potential of cycling lies in its ability to transcend borders. Cycling should not be a luxury reserved for the few, but a tool for sustainable transportation, economic development, and social empowerment for all.
Discussion about this post