Jan-Willem van Schaik

ZEIST, the Netherlands - E-bikes are the leading micromobility category in Europe. It accounts for almost 37% of the European micromobility market today. This share is expected to increase to 50% at a total value of more than €100 billion in the next decade.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - As an event, Micromobility advertises itself as the 'world's largest' conference for small vehicles. In this bustling and crowded industry with many start-ups and new business concepts, the e-bike is probably not the first you would expect to find. The Europe edition, which took place on 5-6 June in Amsterdam this year, showed the e-bike is an important part of a whole new eco-system in the making: future urban mobility.

MADRID, Spain - The mismatch between supply and demand has hit the Spanish bicycle industry very hard. Significant stockpiling has been taking place at both distributors and stores. This situation has not been balanced out yet as the 2023 market statistics show. Still, the Spanish industry association AMBE who presented the market data is still confident about the future market. AMBE also noted that 2024 will still be a difficult year for the industry.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - The group of five bicycle making companies in Cambodia are quickly losing ground on the international bicycle market. Once moved quickly from Vietnam to Cambodia for beneficial import rates at its main markets years ago, it is now rapidly losing market share to China, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

DULUTH, Georgia - Fox Factory Holding started 2024 with a net sales drop of 16.6% to $333.47 million (€309.91 million) compared with 2023. In a move signaling confidence in the company, Michael Dennison, the chief executive officer of Fox Factory Holding Corp has purchased shares of the company's stock amounting to a total of $498,375.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - The uncertain pace of the reorganization to restore its profit (EBITDA), the excess inventories in the market and weak consumer demand, and a deep-discount environment made Fitch Ratings decide to downgrade Accell Group from CCC to CCC-. According to the credit rating agency, "the weak operating performance, tight liquidity and negative free cash flow results in unsustainable credit metrics."

BERINGEN, Belgium - As a very well-known performance brand, Ridley Bikes has been visible in all top level road race competitions for the past two decades. Owner Belgian Cycling Factory, who also holds the labels Eddy Merckx and Corsa, is now building an international European organisation to capitalise on its successful business model.

FRANKFURT, Germany - A total of 43 innovative products and projects in the bike and future mobility sector will be honoured during the Eurobike Award ceremony on 3 July. Another 12 will receive a special distinction. Around 300 submissions from 35 countries were assessed in a multi-stage selection process in 9 categories according to criteria such as design, level of innovation, manufacturing quality and value for money.

BREDA, the Netherlands - VDL Groep's announcement to open the next bicycle frame factory in Europe last year, was more than welcomed by the industry. Frame manufacturing is the key element for bicycle production close to the market and for a long time regarded as one of the most complex parts of a bicycle to manufacturer in Europe on a large scale.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Three successful editions of the 'Eurobike investors lounge' prompted organizer Kindermann Value Creation to launch a wider and more in-depth program for this year. The presentations are primarily geared towards the interests of the guests, who are mainly made up of representatives from leading private equity funds and family offices.