Investigating consumer behaviour and incentives for slow-the-loop R-strategies in the bicycle industry

As concerns about climate change and biodiversity loss intensify, circular economy strategies are crucial for decoupling economic growth from resource depletion. Yet, the consumer behavioural dimension including returning, repairing, and accepting refurbished products remains underexplored, in particular in the bicycle industry. By conducting a survey of bicycle users, this study finds a strong willingness to engage in these slow-the-loop practices, driven by cost savings, convenience, and trust, but hindered by knowledge gaps and quality concerns, implying recommendations for manufacturers.