Jan-Willem van Schaik

Cycling Sports Group Europe, part of Pon.Bike, has announced the closure of the Cannondale facility in Almelo, the Netherlands. The production of the Cannondale bikes will be relocated to Germany and Lithuania. 'Almelo' no longer fits in Pon.Bike's multi-brand strategy, which includes a flexible production network.

The Eurobike announcement to move its dates back to September from 2027 turned the international show calendar upside down again. September has always been very busy with industry events, so Eurobike's decision has prompted many show organisers to reconsider their 2027 dates. The Taiwanese industry was the first to respond, rescheduling the Taichung Bike Week to October.

SRAM has announced plans to build a new facility in Coimbra, Portugal, enabling local production of its complete component portfolio—more than 7,500 individual parts—closer to key partners and markets. "The investment will enhance our ability to serve European OEM and AM partners while improving sustainability, flexibility, and supply chain resilience," the company writes in a press statement.

The local market is becoming increasingly important for the Suzhou, China-based e-bike motor system manufacturer Bafang. Its revenue export share has slid from 35% in 2021 to 20% last year. The total operating revenue in 2025 was RMB 1.3369 billion, down 1.47% year-on-year. The net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 102.819 million in 2025, up 61.04% compared with 2024.

Herrmans Bike Components Ltd hired François Joly as Sales & Marketing Director. Joly brings broad international experience from the bicycle industry, with a strong background in OEM business, aftermarket development and distribution.

The spike in oil prices has drastically changed the market outlook. Raw material prices plus the costs of production and logistics have been affected by the geopolitical situation. The high fuel prices worldwide could also attract more people to start cycling. Are you prepared to adapt to the new situation? The Global Bicycle Purchase Index (GPBI) will provide you with these insights next month.

Visitors to Eurobike will miss some industry events which have become a fixed part of the trade show's agenda this year. The official industry body, European Cycling Industries (ECI) has dropped all of its presence at Eurobike. "Unlike previous years, we are not organising events like the leadership breakfast or participating in panels," confirmed ECI CEO Paul Walsh to Bike Europe.

The massive influx of non-compliant fatbikes in the Netherlands, combined with annoying user behaviour, prompted Dutch politicians to call for a wide range of restrictive measures. It gave the fatbikes a very bad image, prompting local distributor La Souris to find new markets abroad. Initially, investors were not eager to step in, but now La Souris has raised €6.5 mln from ING Bank to reach the company's strategy.

The e-bike market share could reach as high as 80% according to past predictions. Since the start of the sales boom more than a decade ago, it was uncertain what market share the e-bike would eventually take of the total bicycle market in Europe. The 80% outlook now seems exaggerated, as the Europe-wide market share remains stuck at just under 40%. What has put a stop to the growth of the e-bike market?

As the bicycle industry strives to better synchronise supply chains with market demand, access to reliable market intelligence has become increasingly important. The Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI) addresses this need by providing sourcing insights and a medium-term market outlook through an indicator that anticipates future industry trends. In a conversation with Bike Europe, Orbea Supply Chain Chief Officer Pablo Trujillo, explains how they manage the challenge of forecasting.