Dahon carves niche in urban mobility

Unlike road or mountain bikes, folding bicycles are designed for compactness and convenience — ideal for daily commuting and mixed transport systems. Dahon has rolled out more than 70 models spanning urban, sports, high-performance and electric folding bikes.

The company also sees new potential beyond daily commuters.

In July, Dahon launched its P18 Ultra racing-style model, priced at 5,798 yuan, featuring a drop-bar design and a cruising speed of 35 km/h. The company said the model "fits in the trunk, enabling seamless connection between urban and outdoor environments", signaling an effort to merge portability with performance and appeal to more advanced riders.

Dahon's sales mix has shifted noticeably in recent years. Midrange models priced between 2,500 and 5,000 yuan now dominate, contributing 69.5 percent of revenue in 2024 — up from 50.6 percent in 2022. Entry-level models under 2,500 yuan have declined, while high-end models above 5,000 yuan continue to represent around 10 percent of sales.

The company plans to open 50 directly operated stores, 80 in-store shops and 70 franchised outlets across the Chinese market this year. In addition to the expansion of offline stores, Dahon has aggressively upscaled online sales through platforms such as JD.com and Tmall. Its direct online sales jumped from just 14 million yuan in 2022 to nearly 100 million yuan in 2024 — a compound annual growth rate of over 160 percent. Online channels now account for more than 40 percent of total revenue.

Still, challenges loom. Many bike retailers that rushed into the market during the 2020-21 cycling boom are now struggling with inventory overhang as the frenzy cools. Dahon warned that excessive dealer stock could pressure future sales and cash flow.

CIC data show that Dahon commands a 26.3 percent share of China's folding bike retail volume and 36.5 percent of retail sales, alongside a 5.6 percent global market share. Its bestselling P8 model has long been among China's top folding bikes.

The sector is among the rising segments of outdoor sports. According to Mintel China, outdoor cycling has a participation rate of 37 percent, and has been ranked No 6 among 22 sports surveyed overall.

Outdoor sports entered a stable stage recently after explosive growth earlier, with riding and water sports seeing a slight surge last year, according to the report.

China remains the world's largest bicycle manufacturer and exporter, though its domestic market is still dominated by international brands in the premium segment.