Jan-Willem van Schaik

COLOGNE, Germany - The Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI) is a new, global analysis tool for the bicycle industry. The aim is to provide regular insights into early market dynamics and trends, and thus enable well-founded decisions along the entire value chain. The GBPI is a joint initiative of Bike Europe, Eurobike organiser Fairnamic GmbH and the Institute for Retail Research IFH Cologne.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Tektro TRP isn't keeping its ambitions to itself: "We want to be the alternative supplier for the industry next to the big two," says Lance Larrabee, general manager of Tektro USA. Tektro's expansion strategy has already resulted in the development of successful products.

GENEVA, Switzerland - The global sporting goods industry has launched the first-ever Sporting Goods Physical Activity Impact Report. The report highlights the escalating global physical inactivity crisis and the urgent need for increased cross-sector collaboration. It may sound contradictory. More and more people are using bicycles for mobility, but this industry is also experiencing the consequences of an increase in inactivity in the field of cycling sports.

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.