SWIEBODZIN, Poland - Sprick, a long-standing name in the German Bicycle sector, has entered a new chapter. After financial difficulties led to insolvency of the bicycle assembler at the start of this year, the company is now set to become part of multinational, Singapore-based DuTech Group.

WASHINGTON DC, United States - The number of bicycles imported into the United States in the first half of 2025 has dropped 25% year-on-year. When looking at Q2 specifically this is a 35% drop compared to 2024. The impact of tariffs and trade wars has seen China's relevance as US bicycle supplier slip considerably.

MONTREUIL, France - French authorities have uncovered a vast financial fraud network in a large-scale investigation that involved over 70,000 Chinese-made e-bikes across six storage sites in the country. The losses amount to €6 million.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Cowboy's 2024 annual report, finalised on 4 August and published after a significant delay a month later, shows a company scrambling to find new financiers amidst declining profits. It also sheds new light on Cowboy's recent recall and the financial toll that it took on the young Brussels-based company.

VIENNA, Austria - Austrian kids' bicycle supplier Woom GmbH is continuing its growth path with strong half-year results. In the first half of 2025, Woom has achieved its best half-year results since it launched in 2013. Revenue rose by about 41% compared to 2024, reaching €90.1 million.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - "All operational activity has ceased," reads the email from Lasse Almgren, the CEO of the Danish start-up known as Pentalock. The company, under the name of Danish Mobility System 1 ApS, filed for bankruptcy on August 11.

 HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - In a new move to better its financial position, Accell Group is further centralising its production capabilities. After more than a century, bicycles will no longer be produced at its site in Heerenveen, the Netherlands. The factory is expected to close by the end of Q1 2026, and production will be integrated into existing manufacturing facilities in Hungary. The closure will lead to a loss of approximately 160 jobs.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Retail giant Decathlon and KwikFit are starting a partnership in Amsterdam for the maintenance and repair of Decathlon bikes and e-bikes. The sports retailer has three stores in the capital, only two of which have bike repair workshops. Now, Decathlon customers can also visit the centrally located KwikFit location. If successful, a national roll-out is on the cards.

PARIS, France - Bike-leasing company Vapaus Group has announced the integration of France's Azfalte, a corporate cycling company boasting a 250-client portfolio. Calling France "Europe's strongest growth potential," Vapaus Group says it's excited to explore international growth with Azfalte, hoping to achieve one million new riders in the coming years.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European bicycle industry is losing a key face in Brussels. Manuel Marsilio has officially stepped down from his position as general manager of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI). This marks the end of more than a decade of leadership. Meanwhile, the ECF has welcomed its new CEO, who is tasked with advocating for better cycling infrastructure across Europe.

KOBLENZ, Germany - Founder, Roman Arnold, is returning to Canyon Bicycles GmbH to assume operational responsibilities as executive chairman, starting September 1st. Following a period where the ongoing challenging market environment had seen owner GBL's investment depreciate by 43% a new approach is now being taken. This means exit "by mutual agreement" for current CEO Nicolas de Ros Wallace.

ROOSENDAAL, the Netherlands - In Q2, from April to June, the Dutch bicycle market turnover rate rose significantly, averaging around 10% per month, according to figures from national consultancy group H&L Benchmark Group. This translates to 7.7% turnover growth for the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year. In addition, about half of the H&L Benchmark Group is seeing a further reduction in excessive inventory.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - During the first six months of 2025, 312,000 e-bikes were imported into the European Union, the latest data from Eurostat shows. This is a 9% drop compared to the same period last year. As predicted, the positive signs of a full market recovery in Q1 have not continued into Q2. As Taiwan struggles to regain its dominance as the European e-bike supplier, Cambodia and China continue to increase their share of the market.

DULUTH, United States - American component manufacturer Fox Factory Holding Corp. is reporting strong results for its 2025 second-quarter sales, a growth spurt it's attributing to the stabilising bicycle industry. Sales are doing especially well in the company's Specialty Sports Group division, home to its bicycle and e-bike product lines, including Fox, Marzocchi, RaceFace, Easton and Ride Concepts.

DHAKA, Bangladesh - The bicycle industry in Bangladesh is quickly recovering from a major slump in exports. In the last fiscal year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, the export value of bicycles increased by 41% from $83 million (€71.9 million) in 2023/2024 to $117 million (€101.3 million) last year. This data was released recently by the country's Export Promotion Bureau.

SUZHOU, China - Over the past 22 years, Bafang has consistently prioritised technological innovation as fundamental to the company's development. With this approach the motor manufacturer has successfully navigated the storm of the previous years. "Whether in good times or bad, demand-driven innovation is urgently needed," CEO Qinghua Wang explains to Bike Europe.

REUTLINGEN, Germany - Since establishing Bosch eBike Systems within the Bosch Group in 2009, the company has leveraged technological competencies from automotive electronics and sensor systems to power tool battery technology. For Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer, their systematic technology transfer approach, building on Bosch's foundational expertise in electric drive systems, is one of the three key elements of their success within the bicycle industry.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Serving a diverse range of clients has been a key strategy at saddle manufacturer Velo. In pursuit of improved product quality and innovative technologies, Velo has always invested in its R&D capabilities. In an interview for Bike Europe's Industry Insider series, Velo Enterprise CEO Ann Chen offered insights into Velo's market perspective and the company's future direction.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - International tire maker Ralf Bohle GmbH, and its signature brand Schwalbe, is deepening its presence in performance-oriented and emerging bicycle segments, with high-potential markets identified across North America, Southern Europe, China and Southeast Asia. Nico Simons, chief sales officer of Ralf Bohle GmbH, recently shared his thoughts with Bike Europe on how Schwalbe views the market and where the century-old German company is headed in the next few years - kicking off Bike Europe's Industry Insider series.