Taipei Cycle Show kicked off Oct. 31, featuring 1,150 leading firms from Taiwan and overseas showcasing the latest and greatest designs, products and technologies.
 
Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the 31st edition of the international event runs until Nov. 3 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and Taipei World Trade Center. It involves large numbers of buyers from home and abroad seeking top-notch products and opportunities for potential-laden tie-ups.
 
According to TAITRA, the show’s 3,250 booths offer an array of items such as accessories, bicycles, clothing, components and parts, e-bikes, Internet of Things applications and smart devices. In addition, winning submissions from Taipei Cycle d&i Awards—one of the world’s leading annual design competitions—are on display.
 
Other highlights include meetings, panel discussions, product launches and seminars, as well as zones for IoT applications and startups. The zones appear for the first time at the show and are in line with TAITRA’s policy of advancing industrywide innovation and upgrades via the uptake of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.
 
Walter M. S. Yeh, president and chief executive officer of TAITRA, said Oct. 30 at a news conference that Taiwan-made bicycles boast an increasingly strong global reputation. Locally manufactured mid- to high-end units hold 29.3 percent of the international market and top-three sales status in more than 70 countries and territories he said.
 
Taiwan is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of e-bikes, with Europe and the U.S. accounting for the lion’s share of exports. In 2017, shipments increased 77 percent year on year US$247.4 million. (KWS-E)