Jan-Willem van Schaik

BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy - Selle Royal Group and Stardue Group have joined forces to establish a new foundation to generate a positive and lasting impact on the community. This organisation, called Stravarda Foundation, will develop a project that places the bicycle at the centre as a tool for social, cultural, and environmental growth.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Two heavyweight names from the e-bike and automotive industries have failed to successfully launch a new e-bike brand. Soon after Porsche AG and Pon Holdings established the joint venture P2 eBike GmbH in 2022, investors openly stated that creating a new e-bike brand was not the best way to move forward in the industry.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The dissatisfaction within the industry about the recent edition of Eurobike and the German industry association's decision to pull out, has prompted the show to change its leadership. Long-serving show manager Stefan Reisinger is making an exit, and will support the new management during a transitional phase. Will this change mark a turnaround from the industry organisations? "It makes sense that the Eurobike will be completely revised by 2027, and negotiations could begin at the beginning of next year, provided that the necessary conditions are met," confirms Burkhard Stork, managing director of ZIV.

VEENENDAAL, the Netherlands - The introduction of the next-generation bicycle ring lock by AXA required an all-new production line. Initially, for both Axa Bike and its owner Allegion, the Netherlands was not the most obvious choice to establish the new facility. Still, the fully automatic production line, capable of manufacturing a lock every 5 seconds, was opened in early December.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - As a long-term bicycle exporter, Cambodia is now rapidly expanding its production of e-bikes for overseas markets. The bicycle factories in the special economic zones (SEZs) in Bavet City seem to have survived the drop in exports since 2023 and are now stepping into the e-bike market as well.

BAUNACH, Germany - Despite its long-standing history and supplying to over 2,500 customers in more than 60 countries, Messingschlager's key activities were largely known only to industry insiders. In the past decade, the company expanded into various business fields, which became very distinct over time. "Demand from customers these days is so much more diverse than just a product at a competitive price," says Messingschlager CEO Christoph Bantle.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The carefully knitted global network of bicycle component manufacturers, brands, assemblers and distributors is under pressure. The industry is unable to regain control of the supply chain after major disruptions during the pandemic, in combination with an overestimated market potential. It is not only a self-inflicted problem, and finding solutions requires drastic steps.

EDINBURGH, UK - Intra Drive, the United Kingdom-based e-bike component developer, has secured €600,000 toward an extended €850,000 seed round. The new capital will support the transition from pilot units to commercial production of its GD8 integrated gearbox powertrain. Since displaying at Eurobike in 2021, Intra Drive has focused on building a European supply chain and industrialising its e-bike motor unit with a multi-speed gearbox.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - After a 25-year career, of which 15 years were in the role of CEO, Janus Smalbraak resigned at Pon to pursue a new professional challenge. Smalbraak announced this resignation at Pon in a LinkedIn post earlier today. Volkswagen Financial Services AG CEO Christian Dahlheim has been appointed to succeed Janus Smalbraak.

BERLIN, Germany - The growing importance of cycling in the mobility mix brings new challenges to the industry. Consumer expectations and product requirements are shifting quickly and will continue to change in the years ahead. The 'user of tomorrow' was the key topic at a recent ZIV Technology Conference. What does this mean for construction, safety, and design? How is the industry meeting these demands with technological innovation?