Jan-Willem van Schaik

FRANKFURT, Germany - Probably the most exclusive networking event at Eurobike brings together a very diverse mix of industry insiders and market followers. In a few years time, Pink Thursday has built a reputation as a unique space for exchange, inspiration and new connections.

PALENCIA, Spain - To develop solutions that improve the efficiency and performance of e-bikes, Mahle SmartBike Systems has announced a new investment round of between €10 and €12 million annually in R&D. The announcement came shortly after Mahle CEO Arnd Franz stated that, "the e-bike sector was their standout success, supplying more than 60 e-bike brands across all segments."

ZEIST, the Netherlands - "A Global Bicycle Purchasing Index will professionalise the sector, as we have seen before in other industries. It gives you a verified outlook on what to expect in the supply chain, and not what you have heard from your connections, rumouring around in the sector." Bike Europe talked with Jeroen Both, former chief supply chain officer and member of the board of management at Accell Group, on the launch of Bike Europe's Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI) in partnership with Eurobike.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The last five years have shown that the bicycle industry is lacking key economic indicators on a global level. The peak in sales in 2020-2021, followed by a market adjustment in 2022 and combined with an extremely high level of orders, resulted in an exceptional surplus of inventory. The industry has still not overcome this fluctuation. An industry-dedicated Purchasing Managers Index could have avoided or at least softened this financial blow.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands — As part of its One-Accell strategy, Accell Group has disinvested its production facility Accell Bisiklet in Manisa, Turkey. The new owner is Bisan Bisiklet, also based in Manisa, confirms Accell Group spokesperson Uneke Dekkers. The takeover amount remains unconfirmed.

Germany/the Netherlands - Key economic and sourcing data has turned out to be an essential tool in steering the industry in today's challenging and volatile markets. The bicycle industry currently lacks the information needed to identify future market trends and a sourcing benchmark. Eurobike and Bike Europe will close this gap together in cooperation with the market research institute IFH Cologne in Germany.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The industry is making preparations for the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as this regulation will apply to the first relevant product category from 18 February 2027. At that time, its application will become mandatory for specific battery types.

KOBLENZ, Germany - The current market dynamic, with aggressive discounting campaigns and forecasts that frequently postpone market recovery, affects how investment funds view the market. At the peak of the market in 2020, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL) bought just over 50% of the shares of Canyon Bicycles at €400 million. In the GBL 2024 financial report, only €260 million is left.

SHENZHEN, China - Folding bike manufacturer, Dahon is seeking capital and submitted an IPO prospectus to the Hong Kong stock exchange earlier this year. The company reports it is planning to list on the main board, with China Securities International serving as the sole sponsor.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The countryside just north of Taichung houses one of those smaller, high-tech companies which characterise the bicycle industry supply chain in Taiwan. The family company Ora Engineering was founded in 1996 as an innovator in the metal forming and welding industry. Today the company supplies a range of frames, parts and components, particularly in titanium, to the global market with an export share of 98%.