Automotive E-ssentials

More Bikes, Plenty of Work, and: Many Opportunities

Cycling is booming – there’s no question about it. Unfortunately, this also correlates with an increase in accidents. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were nearly 71,000 bicycle accidents causing personal injury in 2023, plus another 24,000 involving e-bikes. In addition, there are numerous accidents resulting in property damage alone. For small and medium-sized bicycle shops and workshops, a customer arriving with damage initially brings a repair order – that’s clear. However, before getting to the repair, there’s office work to attend to: cost estimates, assessments, insurance, and so on. Furthermore, this process costs not only time but also real money. This is exactly where TÜV SÜD’s bicycle specialists assist retailers. They make contact with an expert in no time and ensure swift and seamless processes.

“The damage market for bicycles is on the rise. With our new service, we aim to support bicycle retailers in swiftly and reliably addressing accident damages in the interests of customers. We have a nationwide network of assessors ready, are familiar with the lawyers, and use our name to foster trust – on both sides: in retail as well as with cyclists,” says Horst Draudt, Senior Remarketing Expert at TÜV SÜD Division MOBILITY.

Repairing What Can Be Repaired

Given the increasingly high prices of bikes, this is a frequently occurring case. If negotiations with the opposing insurance proceed well, the damaged bike can be repaired again, much to the joy of the cyclist: “In more and more cases, customers want their bike back,” says Draudt. “This is especially true for cargo bikes. Riders are familiar with their own bikes, and they are also tailored to their intended purpose. Typically, neither a replacement bike nor a successor meets those operational criteria.”

We Support Retailers

Detecting worthwhile repairs, saving time, and strengthening customer loyalty: When a customer receives optimal support in the event of damage and can ride their favorite bike again in a short time, they are likely to return. Not only for repairs but also for purchasing a new or additional bicycle.

To manage damages effectively, employees in a retail branch must keep their knowledge about assessments and damage handling up to date – something that is simply not feasible in day-to-day operations due to time and cost constraints.

TÜV SÜD assessors assist throughout the entire process, including communication between customers, insurance companies, assessors, and lawyers. In a digital damage file, all steps of the processing are completed, compiled, and documented. Draudt states: “With our standardized processes, bike retailers can offer their customers a professional damage management service in-house – the Oktagon is also recognized by customers.”

The TÜV SÜD assessors are independent of insurance companies and support the bicycle trade across the entire country at all stages of processing damage claims. From general advice to independent damage assessments carried out by experts, including photographic documentation, through to recommending nearby lawyers when direct legal assistance is necessary. Expert Horst Draudt adds: “The advantages are obvious: staff are relieved, missing data is supplemented, and all documents are made available to lawyers online. Moreover, all parties involved have online access to documents at any time and can view the status of the processing.”