Jan-Willem van Schaik

CLERMONT FERRAND, France - Michelin has extended its range of All Mountain MTB tyres, the Force AM2 and the Wild AM2, which are part of its Competition Line and designed to meet the expectations on all types of terrain.

GENT, Belgium - Trade association LEVA-EU says companies that solely assemble e-bikes are confronted with unfair competition that is threatening their existence. EU regulation makes it almost impossible to start up new companies and could severely hinder the EU's net-zero emissions target.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - As a part of the Circular Economy Action Plan the European Commission proposes to modernise EU legislation on batteries. Batteries placed on the EU market should become sustainable, high-performing and safe all along their entire life cycle.

MILAN, Italy - Despite the health emergency and economic difficulties, the 2020 Italian e-bike market enjoyed a major increase in sales. All two-wheel categories, including motorbikes and scooters, saw double digit sales growth figures and the e-bike in particular.

ARNHEM, the Netherlands - The International Cargo Bike Festival which was initiated in 2012, will get a permanent character with the creation of a cargo bike expertise and innovation centre. "This innovation centre will fulfill the need for more research and know-how on urban logistics with cargo bikes"...

VARSSEVELD, the Netherlands - Manufacturer of special needs bikes, Van Raam, has already outgrown its 2019 built factory in the Netherlands. To meet the growing demand of special bikes, the company has now taken over a 6,500 square meter facility in Wykroty, Poland.

MOSCOW, Russia - Velomotors CEO and well-known Russian businessman, Alexander Nachevkin, has suddenly passed away after a short-term but severe illness on Monday 4 January. Born on September 27, 1960, he was only 60 years old.

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Massive demand for e-bikes and bicycles in combination with production interruptions disrupted the market in 2020. The impact on disturbed supplies for Shimano components of this Covid-19 driven market situation will not be over this year as Shimano Europe president Marc van Rooij explains.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Three European cycling industry associations announced a new forecast that the e-bike and bicycle market is expected to expand by almost 50% in 2030 compared with 2019. Taking the current supply chain problems into account, this projected market expansion requires substantial investments to increase component production as well as assembly capacity in the near future.

EPINAL, France - "Make cycling fun to get them on an e-bike," was the main reason for both Manuel Antonot and Greg Sand to start their own e-bike factory in the French Voges in 2011. Now known as Moustache Bikes, the company has seen buoyant growth in the past years, making them the leading company in the premium category on their home market today.