TARGI KIELCE'S BIKE EXPO AS A DISCUSSION PLATFORM FOR THE BUSINESS-SECTOR'S MOST TOPICAL ISSUES

KIELCE BIKE-EXPO is the perfect opportunity to walk through the rich and diversified exposition in order to see what the novelties the bicycle industry has to offer.  More than250 exhibitors from 14 countries use the Targi Kielce's exhibition to proudly boast their products and services cut out for this rapidly developing market.

The expo is also a perfect opportunity to meet and discuss important decisions which should be made to further enhance and boost Poland's market development.

This year, the members of the Committee for Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism chaired by Ireneusz Raś MEP also join the expo in order to discuss a whole array of issue with the Polish Cycling Association, business insiders and Kross, apart from other companies.  The talks started with the bikes registration issues, the system like the one used with cars.  This would allow for a greater control over the second-hand bicycle market, this is related to stolen- bicycles trading.  It is estimated that about 200,000 used bicycles are imported to Poland from abroad, with about 15% of stolen bicycles.  In Poland, about 20 thousand bicycles are stolen each year.  The Polish Cycling Association has developed a system to combat dealing in stolen property. A widespread system introduction is a the PCA recommendation designed to build bicycle users' awareness.  Support of the state authorities is therefore necessary.

During the meeting Kacper Sosnowski, KROSS board member talked about combining production activities with the sports promotion.  He also talked about the KROSS RACING TEAM  origins, initially dedicated for employees. Now it boasts the best sports-people including  Maja Włoszczowska at the team leader.  Building a strong brand is strongly associated with sport investments.  At that moment, an insufficient number of good cyclists is Poland's main problem.  And here comes another issue that should be considered by the state authorities.  The Ministry of Sport and Tourism should draw its attention to the increasingly popular sports, such as running, swimming and cycling.

The last point on the agenda was the overview of the rapidly growing electric bike market with the view of incorporating this issue to talks about Poland's electromobility.

In recapitulation,  the meeting held in Targi Kielce showed that bicycle market in Poland rapidly grows and advances.  More and more Poles opt for bicycles as an important means of transport. Cities invest in municipal bicycle-systems, the industry goes from strength to strength in the global markets. Therefore changes in the law and systematization of certain behaviours are necessary to support and popularize cycling.

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