The Covid-19 corona virus pandemic has increased the number of bicycle users, not only in Indonesia but also in the world. The increasing trend of cycling during the pandemic was noted by Strava, an app that measures physical activity or exercise. Strava noted, throughout 2020 there was an increase in cycling activity in the world, amounting to 8.1 billion miles. In the previous year, cyclists covered more than 5.6 billion miles.
On the other hand, this trend also has an economic impact on Indonesia, as a bicycle exporting country. The Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI) Public Relations, Winston Simbolon Tumanggor, stated that there was an increase in bicycle exports during the pandemic. "This phenomenon has actually contributed to the increase in demand for Indonesian bicycles," said Winston, when contacted by Kompas.com, Thursday (4/1/2021). LPEI noted that the number of Indonesian bicycle exports from January to November 2020 reached 103.37 million US dollars. Or the equivalent of 1.4 trillion rupiah. This number indicates an increase of up to 27.52 percent. Because in the same period from January to November 2019, the total export of Indonesian bicycles was only 81.06 million US dollars (US).
In addition, if viewed from the type or type of bicycle, the most exported category is two-wheeled bicycles. With an export value of 97.46 million US dollars, equivalent to 94 percent of total bicycle exports. The rest, there are racing bikes and children's bicycles. Then, Britain became the country that absorbed the most Indonesian bicycle production. The export market was 37.5 percent. Even during the pandemic, bicycle exports to the UK were still able to grow 43.16 percent. In fact, higher growth has come from the United States, the second largest export market. The export value even doubled to US $ 19.5 million. Demand for bicycles also came from Austria, Canada and the Netherlands.
Winston explained that the increase in bicycle exports last year was the highest export value in the last seven years. "Based on data from BPS and the International Trade Center (ITC), this is the highest bicycle export value since 2014," said Winston. In 2014, the total export value of bicycles was only 41.20 billion US dollars. However, the figure has continued to increase over the last year. The increasing demand for bicycles at home and abroad cannot be separated from the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. People are looking to a healthy lifestyle again by diligently exercising. During the pandemic, cycling was considered safer because it was in open spaces without involving physical contact with other people, was environmentally friendly, relatively affordable, and was able to get rid of boredom during lockdown. "The increase in exports of Indonesian bicycles is also influenced by the trend of a healthy lifestyle, especially by cycling which is better known as the bike boom that was happening in various parts of the world during the pandemic," explained Winston.
From LPEI data, the five countries that buy the most bicycles from Indonesia are Britain, the US, Canada, Austria and the Netherlands. "The increasing interest in cycling in the UK and the US is expected to contribute to the growth of bicycle exports to the two countries," said Winston. During pandemic times some countries restrict community activities. However, cycling activities can still be done even with strict restrictions and protocols. Winston hopes that bicycle exports can continue to increase, as well as a spirit to improve product quality in Indonesia. "It is a momentum for bicycle exporters to expand the market and improve the quality of their products," he said. LPEI is an institution under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance. By increasing exports, Winston also hopes that Indonesian exporters will further expand the market. "In increasing exports it also has programs that will help exporters and potential exporters in insurance, financing and training, including expanding the export market," added Winston.
