Jan-Willem van Schaik

OSAKA, Japan - The impact of the shift in trade policies announced earlier this year on the financial performance of the bicycle industry was not long in coming. As the main OEM supplier, Shimano reports a shift in trade flows and notes that the outlook remains uncertain due to the impact of global trade policies.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - In a last-minute amendment speed pedelecs are excluded from the imposition of new EU regulations aimed at making the automotive sector more sustainable. "This vote aligns with our position and marks a significant step toward a more coherent and efficient regulatory framework for the e-bike sector," writes industry confederation CONEBI in a first response.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Together, the five bicycle factories in Cambodia, which all located close to the border with Vietnam, have seen a revival of their export business in the first half of this year. Production had diminished in the past years due to the excess inventory in Europe and the US, in combination with the supply chain constraints.

TIMISOARA, Romania - Woom is progressing with its nearshoring strategy and bringing a strong production partner on board with German manufacturer Corratec. From Q1 2026, the German bike manufacturer Corratec will be making woom bikes for the European market at its factory in Timișoara in Romania.

CUIJK, the Netherlands - Bafang has opened a new location for its European headquarters, four times the size of its previous site. Originally established in the Netherlands in 2012, this new locale in Cuijk is a big upgrade.

HAUSEN, Germany - Financial problems continue to be a major challenge for the industry, even though the first signs of a market recovery are emerging. For YT Industries the situation became unsustainable, and they have initiated restructuring proceedings under self-administration under German law.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - The financial challenges at Accell Group have led minority shareholder Teslin Capital Management to depreciate the value of its investment by 80%. The bicycle manufacturer was the bleeder for the investment fund as the 2024 financial report of Teslin shows.

SHANGHAI, China - The deflationary tendency of the Chinese Renminbi in combination with the global trade war put pressure on the export-oriented industries in price terms. For China Cycle Show 2025 reason enough to highlight the theme 'New quality productivity for the shared future' for the 33rd edition earlier this year.

TALLINN, Estonia - Vok Bikes, the Estonian company behind a new generation of four-wheeled electric cargo bikes, has raised US$6 million (€5.12 million) to further expand across Europe and accelerate the shift away from vans in city centres. The Series A funding round is led by SQM Lithium Ventures, the corporate venture capital team affiliated with SQM International Lithium (SQMi), a global leader in lithium production.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - CEO of Cycleurope AB Tony Grimaldi has been the president of Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) since the start of the advocacy organisation. CIE is entering an all-new chapter with the announced merger with the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI). Few were more involved in European cycling advocacy at various political levels and within nearly all industry organisations than Tony Grimaldi.