Decathlon is betting heavily on refurbished eBikes

Decathlon has just taken an important step to promote the sale of refurbished e-bikes in Europe. A major investment in a leading German company hints at a move that major cycling brands could take in the near future.

Decathlon Pulse makes a major investment in a leading company in the refurbishment and sale of second-hand electric bicycles

The French giant has just announced its participation in the German company Rebike®, a leading company in the refurbishment and sale of second-hand electric bicycles "as new" for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This partnership has been carried out through Decathlon Pulse, the investment arm and start-up studio of Decathlon, and its goal is to grow the sale of refurbished e-bikes in Europe.

In line with its new phase, Decathlon continues to escalate its commitment to cycling as a driver of European mobility. Data supports its strategy, with eBike sales doubling in Europe over the past five years, and the forecast is that by 2030 there will be 100 million electric bicycles in circulation. But this increase needs to be sustainable, and for that, there are already leading companies like Rebike that are betting on reuse and refurbishment.

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With this investment in Rebike, Decathlon Pulse reinforces its commitment to the circular economy and the professionalization of the European secondary market for e-bikes.

Decathlon will support Rebike for its global reach, its experience in omnichannel sales, and its international infrastructure. However, Rebike will maintain its independent operation to boost its specialized knowledge and cutting-edge refurbishment technology, its digital integration in industrial processes, as well as its end-to-end value chain experience, from collecting e-bikes from partners and bike rental companies to reselling e-bikes on Rebike.com, and other various online and offline channels.

Thomas Bernik, CEO and co-founder of Rebike: "By addressing consumer accessibility and driving the reuse trend, refurbished e-bikes are poised to become a standard in the bicycle sector. We are delighted to take this next step with Decathlon Pulse, leveraging their global experience and international perspective to accelerate our operations in new markets."

Franck Vigo, CEO of Decathlon Pulse: "We are delighted to continue Decathlon Pulse's growth trajectory with such a recognized partner as Rebike. This investment not only aligns perfectly with our strategy to accelerate sustainability but also positions us at the forefront of circular economy in cycling. Together, we are not only tapping into the growing second-life market but reshaping it, demonstrating that sustainability and business growth can go hand in hand."

Sophie O'Kelly de Gallagh, Director of Circular Economy and Sustainability Investments at Decathlon Pulse: "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 electric bicycle industry, we are driving a positive impact in the sports ecosystem and setting new standards for sustainable mobility."

Andrew Shannon, Partner at Circularity Capital: "We are delighted to welcome Decathlon Pulse as a fellow investor in Rebike and excited to benefit from Decathlon's North Star strategy in the e-bike market. Our joint investment further strengthens Rebike's impressive growth and its position as an expert in premium refurbishment and retail in Europe's largest e-Bike market."