Shimano Europe President: "Cycling Is Still in Pole Position"
Fabio Takayanagi, newly appointed President of Shimano Europe Group, is optimistic about the future of the bicycle industry — despite post-pandemic
inventory challenges and global supply chain disruptions.
"We need to get more people interested in becoming bike mechanics in order to keep consumers satisfied and their bicycles reliable,"
says the President of Shimano Europe Group Fabio Takayanagi. – Photo Shimano
Key takeaways from his latest interview:
🚲 Consumer loyalty holds strong — pandemic-era new riders are still cycling, with high participation in road, gravel, and recreational events.
⚙️ Supply chain pressures persist — rising costs for raw materials like aluminum continue to impact lead times across the industry.
🔧 Mechanic shortage is a real bottleneck — Shimano has launched training programs to address the growing demand for skilled technicians.
🌍 The bicycle remains key to solving urban mobility and CO2 reduction — and Takayanagi believes the industry is ready to rise to the challenge.
A seasoned global leader with 20 years at Shimano, Takayanagi brings experience from the US, China, Latin America, and Japan to his new role leading the EMEA region.