Jan-Willem van Schaik

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Governmental measures to limit the impact of the Coronavirus brought the European bicycle industry almost to a standstill. On the other hand, bicycle shops have been labelled as essential in order to provide people the necessary means of urban mobility. How is the bicycle industry handling this confusing situation? When asked by Bike Europe, CONEBI President Erhard Büchel stated, "these difficult times will make us stronger in the end as people now do realise the importance of the bicycle and its industry in Europe."

BERLIN, Germany - The re-opening of bicycle shops in Germany as announced last night by the federal and state government comes as a big relief for the bicycle industry. As Europe's largest e-bike and bicycle market the restart of retail will be an important indication on how sales will develop when shops will be allowed to open after the Corona crisis in other European countries.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The disclosure of the Taipei Cycle d&i awards was one of the events that was forced to the background due to the cancellation of Taipei Cycle this year. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, all award-winning products will be presented digitally at the VR pavilion of "Taipei Cycle d&i awards exhibition" in May.

DOETINCHEM, the Netherlands - Rosie Burgin has joined the Bike Europe editorial team as Senior Editor, starting the role in March 2020.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) pointed out the dramatic situation of the bicycle industry in Europe in an open letter to the European Commission. Due to the Corona pandemic, CONEBI expects a drop in production volumes of at least 40 percent in 2020, compared to the pre-COVID-19 planning.

The drastic implications of the coronavirus crisis on the bicycle industry in Europe are rapidly becoming visible. Companies are looking for both creative as well as radical solutions to adapt new measures to safeguard their businesses for the future. Here an overview of the latest developments.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - In a video statement published today Eurobike show manager Stefan Reisinger expressed his concerns over the next edition of the biggest show in the e-bike and bicycle industry. "The most asked question is at the moment: will the show take place in September? My honest answer is right now: we are not sure," said Stefan Reisinger.

MIJDRECHT, the Netherlands - More than 50 years ago, Alan Clarke joined the export sales department of Nottingham, UK based Sturmey-Archer. At that time the component was a subsidiary of Raleigh Industries. He is now stepping down as General Manager of Sunrace Sturmey-Archer Europe BV to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) has today released the findings of its first Coronavirus Business Impact Survey which show an industry facing multiple challenges, but confident of survival. The m

DRESDEN, Germany - The implementation of the WMTC (World Motorcycle Test Cycle) from January 2020 onwards has significantly changed the speed pedelec's type approval test procedure. Dresden, Germany based EMEC-Prototyping already did a series of successful test runs with WMTC implemented in its test benches.