Jan-Willem van Schaik

AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands - The latest sales figures of the country's biggest dealer cooperative, Dynamo Retail shows an ongoing demand for e-bikes. Compared with last year, the turnover in April for the category of bicycles increased by 5.8%. For all product categories combined the group reports a 6.3% growth. A remarkable result now the whole economy is struggling with impact of the coronacrisis.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - All companies making or supplying cargo-bikes for delivery and consumer use are called to complete a research study by the CityChangerCargoBike project into the European market. The research addresses brands, dealers and distributors of cargo bikes as well as suppliers and providers of cargo bike specific products and services.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - In a 2,5 hour webinar Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) CEO Kevin Mayne called for "the creation of an e-bike access fund so that these can be available to everyone throughout the EU, to buy, to share and to enable small businesses to buy e-cargo bikes." Over 500 people attended the virtual conference last Tuesday.

OSAKA, Japan - In its financial statement of the first quarter of 2020 the Shimano Group reports a good start of the year in Europe and North America supported by good weather. From mid-March, turnover declined sharply and as a result, net sales from in the bicycle category decreased 15.4% from the same period of the previous year to JPY 58,868 million (507m euro).

BAD SODEN, Germany - The promotion of cycling as preferred transport mode during and after the COVID-19 crisis has been picked up around Europe. However, in Germany, the automotive industry's demand to support car purchases to compensate for corona-related failures provoke a lot of negative reactions. In a joint effort the Germany bicycle industry and partners called for a mobility premium for everyone, including e-bikes and not only for cars.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Cycling industries are game changers for decarbonized mobility in Europe. The industry organization Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) puts the impact of the sector and its new innovations in the spotlight at its 2020 summit. Next week's online summit will put experts of the e-bike and bicycle industry together with key Brussels stakeholders.

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.