The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. But what does this mean for a German customer who wants to buy a bike or components from the UK? We asked manufacturers.
The component and bike manufacturer Hope Technology from Barnoldswick issued the following statement:
"Many traders have asked what will happen tomorrow after the UK leaves the EU. We will be in a transition period from 31 January to 31 December while the UK government and the EU endeavour to reach a trade agreement. This means that there will be no changes in administration or invoicing until at least the end of the year. We hope that as a result of the talks this year, things can continue as they are after 31 December. If there are to be any changes in processing, we will do everything we can to ensure that the business relationship with our mainland dealers remains straightforward." (Hope Technology press release)
This means that nothing will change until 31 December 2020. There is also the option to extend the transition phase by a further two years. Whether this will result in a "soft" Brexit, i.e. a free trade agreement between the EU and the UK, remains questionable.
A "hard" Brexit, on the other hand, would result in higher prices and longer delivery and service times. Some larger UK companies that do not produce locally anyway are therefore planning to set up warehouses on the mainland to avoid potential problems.
Smaller manufacturers do not usually have the choice. Joe McEwan is one of them. With his customised steel bikes under the Starling Cycles brand, he meets the needs of around 120 bikers every year who order a frame from him. He is not in favour of Brexit, but hopes to be able to keep his head above water with deliveries to other markets in the event of export problems to the EU. For us EU citizens, Brexit bikes like his would then be hard to come by.
"I think that Brexit is a step in the wrong direction. I currently sell a third of my bikes to the USA, England and Europe. Mostly to Germany and Switzerland. If one of the sales markets causes problems, I still have other options that I can focus on. If the pound sterling loses value, that will boost my exports for the time being." (Joe McEwan, Starling Cycles)
In addition to the political developments, the United Kingdom has traditionally enjoyed a euphoric bike scene with many small customised workshops. In BIKE 4/2020 we tested three bikes from Starling-Cycles, Vitus and Nukeproof. There is also an overview of other UK manufacturers. The special feature: The majority of small brands focus on steel bikes and preferably in the form of a hardtail.
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